Frey Ranch (Quad Malt Bourbon, 100% Malted Corn Bourbon) arrives at 45% ABV, mash bill: non-GMO corn, winter rye, wint. Priced at $59/ 375ml bottle, we assessed it with care.
Nose
This is deep golden orange in color with a brown undertone. This is pale golden brown with a yellow undertone. This opens up with notes of spicy cologne, bananas, and kiwi peels. Its musty and musky in a good way. I pick up notes of old suede and red embers that evokes a warm log cabin on a cold winters day. This is very aromatic with notes of brown bread toast, sourdough bread, and buttery caramel. I pick up notes of sawdust and chocolate covered cherries. Theres an odd metallic undertone here like rotten lettuce greens that was a touch unpleasant. Theres a lot going on with each sniff. On the palate, it feels a touch youthful and unfinished, with notes of green bananas, pencil eraser, and bread dough. Its creamy and rich in body with a moderate fieriness and almost no tannins until the finish. It feels moderate in complexity with notes of worn leather, dried figs, and baking spices. This is not a sweet or cloying dram, which I find refreshing. This is one to sip. Score: 4/5 Tasting Notes: Frey Ranch 100% Malted Corn Bourbon Vital Stats: Aged for five years and 10 months in new, charred oak barrels, 55% ABV, mash bill: 100% malted corn, SRP $59/ 375ml bottle. Appearance: This is pale golden brown with a yellow undertone. Nose: This is very aromatic with notes of brown bread toast, sourdough bread, and buttery caramel. I pick up notes of sawdust and chocolate covered cherries. Theres an odd metallic undertone here like rotten lettuce greens that was a touch unpleasant. Theres a lot going on with each sniff. Palate: I pick up the strange note on the palate, but beyond that, there are touches of chocolate covered cherries, Cheerios, and freshly raked autumn leaves. It has a very bold corn sweetness that balanced with the moderate tannins. Its silky but with perceptibly high alcohol. The finish reminds me of chocolate sauce and pu-erh, a fermented black tea, but it concludes with the off flavor. Score: 2.5/5 Final Thoughts Theres a lot of potential here. I do love a good family-farmed bottle, whether whiskey, wine, or something else. Unfortunately, the off flavor in the Frey Ranch 100% Malted Corn Bourbon proved overwhelming. I had hoped that this note would blow off, but it was still present after checking in about a week after my initial tasting.
Palate
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Frey Ranch (Quad Malt Bourbon, 100% Malted Corn Bourbon) is a modest offering that, at $59/ 375ml bottle, serves its purpose without distinction. Those seeking depth or complexity may wish to look elsewhere in this price bracket.
