Local distillers release exciting new products.
We live in the golden age of spirits, and our local distilleries are turning out some of the best spirits we have seen yet. From rye that has been resting for years waiting to be released to new recipes for fall cocktails, our local distillers are putting their hard work and heart into each bottle, and it shows.
Frey Ranch Bottled In Bond Straight Rye Whiskey: $59.99
Rye whiskey is one of the most misunderstood whiskey styles on the market. For years, people believed that rye played second fiddle to bourbon, but what most people don’t know is that rye whiskey first was made in America years before bourbon in 1640. George Washington famously distilled rye whiskey at Mount Vernon. Rye is historically one of the first styles of alcohol made in America, and the rye grain is the flavor engine for bourbon, giving both spice and body to your favorite bottles.
In Fallon, Colby and Ashley Frey are making rye that rivals some of the greats. The Freys work alongside master distiller and certified crop adviser Russell Wedlake to make a genuine farm-to-bottle rye. This first rye release carries the significant designation of bottle in bond, meaning it was produced by a single distiller in one season, aged for no less than four years, and bottled at 100 proof.
The rye is alive with the flavors of bold spice and rich chestnut, while light notes of vanilla and honey linger on the back of your palate. The bottle is bold and heavy, bearing the inscription, “Be good to the land, and the land will be good to you,” reminding us that out in The Oasis of Nevada, people are working the land so we can enjoy each sip. Frey Ranch rye has all of the qualities one looks for in a rye, and it’s perfect for sipping on its own or in a cocktail.
Barrel Aged Cannella Cinnamon Cordial: $49.99
One of the newest distilleries in Reno is Ferino Distillery, located in the heart of Reno on East Fourth Street. Master distiller Joe Cannella, whose last name in Italian translates to cinnamon, first embarked on his journey to distillation after visiting Italy and finding a bottle of Italian Cinnamon Cordial that featured his name. In 2014, in San Francisco, Cannella created the Cannella Cinnamon Cordial, and his business took off from there.
Featured on television shows, including How It’s Made, and in magazines such as Playboy, the Cannella Cinnamon Cordial quickly became his flagship product. Fast forward to 2020, Ferino Distillery now has three products sold around the country, a new Reno brick-and-mortar distillery, and bourbon barrels filled with the famous Cannella Cinnamon Cordial. Then along came the COVID-19 shutdown. Cannella thought, what better time to share this special release than now?
This special distillery-only release is Ferino’s first barrel-aged product. It’s distinctive for its flavors of clove, rich tannic oak, and, of course, cinnamon. The barrel adds a complexity of flavor to the historic recipe used at Ferino. Barrel Aged Cannella Cinnamon Cordial is only around for a limited time and is great in cocktails, over ice, or in iced coffee.
Juniper Grove Atrium Gin: $48
The distillers at Bently Heritage Estate Distillery are at it again with their second gin release, the Juniper Grove Atrium gin. This gin features a base spirit made from 100 percent estate-grown grains and was finished in the legendary, one-of-a-kind Bently copper stills in Minden. Triple distilled and meticulously made in small batches, Atrium gin continues the growing tradition of quality from Bently Heritage.
The “atrium” in the gin’s name is a reference to Bently’s massive greenhouse in Minden, which soon will supply the botanicals for this and future gins. The flavors in each sip are light and floral with hints of lavender and citrus. The finish features a light and savory pepper bite that makes it stand out in cocktails. This gin is perfect for cocktails, including gin and tonics and Tom Collinses — just what we need to wave goodbye to summer.
Michael C. Moberly is the national brand ambassador and distillery general manager for Ferino Distillery in Reno and a local spirits educator. His 13 years in the industry have been spent learning, loving, and imbibing with some of its best minds, both locally and nationally. He also is good at wearing hats.
Spice of Nevada Highball
(courtesy of Michael C. Moberly, national brand ambassador and distillery general manager, Ferino Distillery in Reno. Serves 1)
2 ounces Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey
1 ounce Barrel Aged Cannella Cinnamon Cordial
3 ounce crisp soda water
Combine ingredients in glass. Build cocktail over ice. Top with soda, give a quick swizzle, and enjoy with lemon peel twist.
Nevada Nights Gin and Tonic
(courtesy of Michael C. Moberly, national brand ambassador and distillery general manager, Ferino Distillery in Reno. Serves 1)
2 ounces Bently Heritage Juniper Grove Atrium Gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
1 sage leaf
1 grapefruit peel
1 slice of lime
Tonic water
Combine gin, vermouth, sage leaf, grapefruit peel, and lime slice in large wine glass with ice. Top with tonic water.
