Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Rye

I’m a sucker for well-crafted rye whiskey. Unfortunately, the list of disappointing rye releases is endless. At least this Frey Ranch Straight Rye has a lot going for it – 100% ground-to-glass winter rye, aged 5 years, and bottled in bond. Sounds like quality, but is it?

Pour: Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey (b. 5)
Proof: 100
Age: 5 years
Color: copper
Nose: buttercream frosting, cherry candy, Fruit Stripe gum
Taste: lemon cookie, zesty oak, vibrantly sweet spice
Finish: moderately long – cinnamon, Snapple fruit tea, white pepper

Overall: Wowza! This is one helluva rye. And to think it’s a bottled-in-bond expression. I can’t imagine what Frey Ranch’s rye whiskey is like at barrel proof. But given a single-barrel rye TTB filing last October, I suppose we’ll soon find out. Count me in!

Rating: A-Frey-zing.

Bottle courtesy of Frey Ranch Distillery.

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

It’s time for a double header! Today, I’m tasting some of what Frey Ranch has to offer. Based out of Fallon, NV, Frey Ranch is a genuine ground-to-glass distillery. I have great respect for transparent whiskey producers, even greater respect for whiskey producers that till soil.

First up is Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This 90-proof, non-chill-filtered, non-age-stated bourbon is composed of a four-grain mash bill: 66.6% corn, 10% winter wheat, 11.4% winter rye, and 12% two-row malted barley. Oh, and it’s housed in a hefty, no bullshit bottle.

Pour: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey (b. 5)
Proof: 90
Age: at least 4 years
Color: copper
Nose: apple peel, cinnamon-raisin bread, dried apricot
Taste: vanilla wafer, slightly “crafty” oak, baking spice
Finish: moderate length – corn pancakes, peppery char, holiday spice

Overall: Despite its assumed youth, I can’t find anything particularly wrong with Frey Ranch Bourbon. It holds up. That being said, with so much competition out there, $49.99 for a non-age-stated straight whiskey is a tough ask. Try before you buy (but try).

Rating: Frey-okay.

Bottle courtesy of Frey Ranch Distillery.

Woodinville Single Barrel Select

In December of last year, I purchased a Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey (90 proof). I wasn’t impressed. While not unpleasant, it came across a bit too “crafty,” for lack of a better word. Since then, I’ve been encouraged to try a Woodinville Single Barrel Select. Here goes!

Pour: Woodinville Single Barrel Select (Bourbon Pursuit)
Proof: 122.4
Age: 5 years
Color: copper
Nose: maple syrup, blueberry pancakes, caramel popcorn
Taste: toasted vanilla, English toffee, boozy butterscotch
Finish: long & notably warm – molasses, cream soda, sweet sassafras

Overall: I’m not sure if it’s the absence of dilution or just an exceptional barrel, but this Woodinville selection is no joke. Hell, it’s excellent. There’s so much flavor, in a blind tasting I’m doubtful I’d pin its age as 5 years. Well done, Woodinville.

Rating: Flavorville.

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Washington’s Woodinville Whiskey Co. has received a fair share of positive buzz in the last year, particularly their barrel-proof selections. I’m sure I’ll get to one of those down the road, but for now it’s their 90-proof straight bourbon. I hope it’s as hefty as the bottle.

Pour: Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 90
Age: at least 4 years
Color: amber/honey
Nose: box cornbread, bright maple syrup, sourdough
Taste: sharp vanilla, no. 2 pencil, Mrs. Dash spice blend
Finish: moderate length – mild oak, caramel candy, polished leather

Overall: I really wanted to love this whiskey, but I don’t. While I appreciate Woodinville’s dedication and grain-to-glass attention to detail, the 90-proof expression isn’t there yet. It’s distinctly youthful, but in all fairness they’re just getting started.

Rating: Crafty.