Frey Ranch Distillery’s single-barrel selections fly off the shelves.
Bourbon is all about storytelling; each sip of bourbon should paint a picture of the time and effort that went into that single glass. One of the most overlooked aspects of the whiskey-making process is the number of variables in each barrel. From where the tree used to make the barrel staves was located to where the barrel was placed inside the rackhouse, any number of factors can affect how the whiskey in each barrel tastes. That is why so many bourbons are blends; marrying many barrels allows for a consistent product to be made in larger quantities.
But some people are looking for a unique sip, something that will only exist once in one barrel. Those people are looking for a single-barrel bourbon, which is a snapshot of the distiller’s intent — a barrel picked because of its extraordinary characteristics.
At Frey Ranch Distillery in Fallon, master distiller Russell Wedlake and distillery owners Ashley and Colby Frey have built a massive following around their single barrels.
Private Barrel Program
“We taste 40 barrels a day on a given barrel-tasting day,” Wedlake says. “We will go through 150 barrels to find the ones that stand out for our private barrel program.”
Each barrel they pick is a standout, chosen for flavors bolder and greater originality than what they select for general release.
Only a few liquor stores, bars, and even bourbon fan clubs have been invited to the farm to make private barrel selections, which people can put their own marks on and sell at their establishments. Each group that comes to pick a barrel gets to explore the farm, receive a distillery tour, and choose their barrel from a grouping of six hand-selected barrels. The collection of barrels is chosen to showcase flavors the group is looking for and a few standouts the distillery team is extra proud to showcase.
“We try not to influence their decision,” says Colby Frey, co-owner of Frey Ranch Distillery. “We want them to pick something they are truly excited about, but we are excited about everything we put in front of them.”
Troy Phillips, owner of Battle Born Wine in Minden, enjoyed his barrel-picking experience.
“I was simply astounded at the array and range of exciting flavors while picking a barrel out,” Phillips says. “Even if oak and grain composition variables are exactly the same, the spread is insane and truly a testament to the difference being farmer distillers can make.”
Locations such as Phillips’ often sell out of these single-barrel spirits before they even hit the shelves through presales.
The lust for the Frey Ranch single-barrel bourbons is at a fever pitch — so much so that folks line up for hours to get their hands on the distillery-only releases. Of the select few chosen for the single-barrel program, only a small quantity is released as a Distiller’s Reserve bottling, made available exclusively at the distillery each month.
If you are looking to try something both rare and selected with the intent to thrill, head out to Frey Ranch Distillery on release days. I promise you will taste something utterly unique.
Michael C. Moberly is a spirits educator and creative consultant. His 14 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.
Frey Ranch Distillery
1045 Dodge Lane, Fallon
775-423-4000 • Freyranch.com
