Frey Ranch Distillery, nestled in the heart of Fallon, Nevada, has just dropped a game-changer for bourbon enthusiasts with its latest release: the Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon. This isn’t just another bottle on the shelf—it’s a bold testament to the distillery’s deep-rooted farming heritage and innovative spirit. With only a handful of bottles available, this limited-edition release is already creating a buzz among those who appreciate a whiskey that tells a story from grain to glass.
What sets this bourbon apart is its unique five-grain mash bill, a rarity in the whiskey world. Frey Ranch, a family-owned operation with 170 years of farming history, grows every single grain used in this bourbon right on their 2,000-acre farm. The recipe combines 60% corn, 10% wheat, 10% rye, 10% malted barley, and a surprising 10% oat—a grain that’s notoriously tricky to distill but adds a distinctive character to the final product. This isn’t your average bourbon; it’s a carefully crafted blend that showcases the harmony of these five grains working together.
Colby Frey, the whiskey farmer behind this release, isn’t afraid to tackle challenges. He and Master Distiller Russell Wedlake embraced the complexity of working with oats, which make up 60% hulls by volume and have low starch content. This makes distillation a headache, as the hulls can clog stills and the lower starch leads to fewer bottles per barrel. But for Frey Ranch, it’s all about pushing boundaries. The result? A bourbon that’s as bold as it is rare, with fewer than 350 bottles produced across two single-barrel releases.
The first barrel, #3016, clocks in at a robust 130.24 proof and was aged for 6 years, 2 months, and 1½ days. Only 186 bottles are available, and they’re exclusively sold online through Shop.FreyRanch.com. The second barrel, #3011, is even punchier at 133.22 proof, aged for 6 years, 2 months, and 2½ days. This one’s limited to 156 bottles and can only be snagged in person at the Frey Ranch Tasting Room starting July 19. Each 750ml bottle retails for $89, a fair price for such an exclusive pour.
What makes Frey Ranch stand out is its commitment to being a true farm-to-glass distillery. Founded in 2006 by Colby and Ashley Frey, the distillery is one of the few in the U.S. that grows 100% of its whiskey grains on-site. This hands-on approach allows them to control every step of the process, from planting and harvesting to mashing, distilling, and bottling. The Frey family’s farming roots go back to 1854, and their expertise shines through in the quality of their grains, which are tailored specifically for whiskey production.
The Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon is a celebration of that expertise. The inclusion of oats, a grain most distilleries avoid due to its challenges, adds a layer of complexity that sets this bourbon apart. While the exact flavor profiles of barrels #3011 and #3016 differ, both promise a bold, high-proof experience that reflects the unique terroir of Nevada’s arid climate. At over 130 proof, these bottles are not for the faint of heart—they’re designed for those who savor a whiskey with intensity and depth.
Frey Ranch has been making waves in the bourbon world, quickly becoming one of the top-selling ultra-premium bourbons in the U.S. and one of the largest whiskey producers on the West Coast. Their focus on sustainability and estate-grown grains resonates with drinkers who value authenticity and craftsmanship. This new release is part of their ongoing mission to showcase what’s possible when you control every aspect of whiskey-making, from the soil to the bottle.
For those eager to get their hands on this bourbon, timing is everything. With only 342 bottles total, these are expected to sell out fast. Barrel #3016 is already available online, while barrel #3011 hits the Tasting Room on July 19. Whether you’re a collector or just someone who loves a great pour, this is a bottle worth seeking out. It’s not just whiskey—it’s a piece of Nevada’s farming legacy, distilled into something truly special.
To learn more about Frey Ranch and their other offerings, check out freyranch.com. For those ready to grab a bottle, head to Shop.FreyRanch.com for barrel #3016 or plan a visit to the Tasting Room for barrel #3011. Either way, don’t wait—this is one release you won’t want to miss.