Frey Ranch Estate Distillery, a Nevada-based estate grain distillery for the past six years, released Frey Ranch Gin in the fall of 2015. It is the second premium craft spirit produced by Frey Ranch. The product begins with three different grains – rye, barley and corn – grown and milled right on the ranch and combined with juniper berries and sagebrush sourced from the ranch. These ingredients are joined by coriander, Angelia root, cardamom pod, lemon peel and orange peel. The Gin was released just one year after a successful launch of Frey Ranch Vodka which incorporates four different grains – corn, rye, wheat and barley – also grown right on the ranch.

Frey Ranch is located in Churchill County and, in the midst of its beautiful 1,200-acre farm, sits a 4,600 square-foot distillery featuring a stillroom, tank room, barreling room, tasting room and a malt house. The centerpiece of the distillery is a one-of-a-kind, custom-made Vendome still that is capable of producing 10,000 cases of spirits a month. Additionally, there are four 5,000 gallon fermenters, one 5,000 gallon mash cooker, one 5,000 gallon beer well, one 500 gallon pot still, a 24-foot continuous still and 23-foot vodka column.

Frey Ranch spirits are available throughout Nevada, California and Chicago and will soon be available in other markets across the country.

Frey Ranch Vodka (80 proof)
Visual: Clear.
Nose: Slight fresh crushed mint, faint corn kernel, but overall a bright, high almost poitin-like nose.
Taste: Some initial spice with a tinge of bitter herb, gives way to a more open and classic vodka approach. Yet, this is definitely a craft spirit with some of the rough edges retained, lending a more forceful character.
Finish: Fairly long with a slow fade of rye spice on the back of the palate.
Overall: A vodka that chooses to retain the character of the grain bill. Not soft and flavorless, but rather direct and with sprightly character.
GSN Rating: B

Frey Ranch Gin (90 proof)
Visual: Clear.
Nose: Fresh cut grass, crushed juniper, lemon oil, lime zest.
Taste: More citrus than juniper out of the gate, but it picks up after a few moments letting you know that this is not a lemon vodka. Quite spicy and lively with more of the same rustic quality as the vodka. The botanicals work well within this range, creating a dense palate of 18th century style London gin.
Finish: Lemon lingers long after everything has faded, but there is a still a lot of spice playing on the tongue.
Overall: A gin that will work well in cocktails like a Tom Collins, a Rickey or a G&T. The citrus forward aspect makes it more difficult to manage in more gin forward drinks like a Martini or Negroni.
GSN Rating: B

For more information go to: Frey Ranch

Filed under: Spirits & Liqueurs