Sign in Subscribe
Rye Whiskey Reviews

A 'Ryeteous' and Powerful Pour: Frey Ranch Uncut Rye Whiskey

The palate is delightfully sweet, candied even, with bubble gum, mint, lemon and orange rinds and white pepper roaming about and stalking your tastebuds. Along with its pleasant proof-warmth come bright, vibrantly fruity flavors that shift between tropical and stone fruits.

Steve Coomes

• 2 min read
A 'Ryeteous' and Powerful Pour: Frey Ranch Uncut Rye Whiskey

BOTTLE DETAILS

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Fans of rye whiskies. As a rye devotee, I try often to get bourbon-only drinkers to expand their options with rye. And sometimes, when the whiskey is as good as this one, I say, "Why do that? Share it only with those who'll love and appreciate it fully."

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. Not only is it delicious, this is a true farm-to-glass operation. That Frey Ranch can produce whiskey of this quality for $80 a bottle is amazing.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. And since it's a small release, get more than one before they're gone.

OVERALL: From the press release about this bottle: Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Rye is produced using 100% of the slow-grown grains that are grown, harvested, milled, and distilled on the 2,500-acre Frey Ranch farm year-round by co-founder and 'whiskey farmer' Colby Frey. ... (For generations), the family has long abided by the motto, “Be good to the land and the land will be good to you,” which is embossed on the bottom of each bottle of Frey Ranch Whiskey.

In an age when more consumers crave authenticity in products and their marketing stories, Frey Ranch is a leader. Distilling's hard enough, but farming the grain you use is a whole other animal, especially in Nevada. It's one thing to commit to doing it all, but creating phenomenal whiskies in the process is something few achieve. That Frey Ranch never misses the mark is evident in this cask strength 6-year-old rye. It's easily one of my favorite whiskies of 2026.

Before you start drinking this, I recommend you pour and abandon it for at least 20 minutes. That mine is a newly opened bottle may explain why it's so reluctant to release its aromas. But trust me, when you return to it, it'll all but climb out of the glass. Expect light and lively aromas of flowers and honeysuckle, spearmint, butter mint, apple slices, caramel, a hint of vanilla and barrel toast.

The palate is delightfully sweet, candied even, with bubble gum, mint, lemon and orange rind and white pepper roaming about and stalking the tastebuds. Along with its pleasant proof-warmth come bright, vibrantly fruity flavors that shift between tropical and stone fruits.

This is an exceptional rye in every respect. It's more expressive of the grain and its transformation over time in the barrel verses contact with the wood itself. I love old, ponderous, heavy and dark whiskies, but this represents the best offset of that barbell equation: youth vs. age; wood vs. oxidation; fruity-floral distillate vs. oaky-tannic maturate. And for a mere $80, you can drink this ever-active tug of war between all of them.

BRAND NOTES

NOSE: The nose delivers a mild floral bouquet that dazzles with hints of root beer and candy cinnamon.

PALATE: Reminiscent of cream soda and coffee beans. The whiskey is intended to be enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

FINISH: Dried mint and fresh rye grain.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.