Review: Frey Ranch Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon

Situated in the high desert of Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch Distillery is where Colby Frey—self-proclaimed “whiskey farmer”—continues to redefine what it means to be truly farm-to-glass. In mid-July 2025, the distillery unveiled a milestone expression: Frey Ranch Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon, launching with two barrels — #3011 and #3016 (the latter reviewed here).

This release marks a first for Frey Ranch—a bourbon crafted from all five of the grains grown on their estate and mashed, fermented, distilled, and aged entirely on-site. The mashbill includes 60% corn, 10% wheat, 10% rye, 10% malted barley, and, for the first time, 10% oats.

Oats are notoriously challenging for distillers. High in hull content (around 60% by volume) and low in starch, they can clog equipment and lower yield, making them a labor-intensive choice. Yet, their addition brings a unique texture and flavor complexity to the bourbon that sets this single barrel apart.

The grains underwent a 72-hour fermentation in open-top tanks before being distilled—first in a continuous still at 40% abv, followed by a second run through a pot still. The distillate was then put into 53-gallon barrels featuring a #4 char on the staves and a #3 char on the heads, coopered by Independent Stave Company and Barrel 53 of Higbee, Missouri.

After aging for 6 years, 2 months, and 1.5 days in the Lahontan Valley, the bourbon was bottled at a potent 130.24 proof. Frey Ranch generously provided Drinkhacker with a sample from barrel #3016 for review.

Frey Ranch’s flagship four-grain bourbon has earned widespread respect, but this five-grain experiment raises the question: With the added complexity of working with oats, is the juice worth the squeeze?

Frey Ranch Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon #3016 Review

The aroma opens with a scent that immediately brings to mind Diet Rite White Grape soda from my childhood. It features a crisp, slightly bitter white grape character that is clear and pronounced. This particular note triggered memories of a drink I haven’t encountered much in recent years, as its popularity declined significantly over the past decade and it was largely discontinued by 2022. The initial bitterness is quickly offset by honeydew melon and the sweetness of cotton candy. As the bourbon interacts with air, a light caramel sauce note rounds out the nose.

Oats in bourbon often contribute an earthy quality, but here the aroma is notably sweeter than expected and shows little earthiness. On the palate, the influence of oats becomes more evident, presenting as a toasted brown rice flavor that blends with milk chocolate. Together, they create a strong impression of a Nestlé Crunch candy bar, which dominates before shifting to a milder flavor similar to Tootsie Caramel Apple Pops, with the apple note carrying a slight tartness. The caramel apple character remains secondary to the stronger Nestlé Crunch profile.

Although the profile favors the Nestlé Crunch note, this imbalance isn’t problematic and works well. The mouthfeel is medium-thick. The oat character becomes more prominent on the finish through cinnamon granola, sweetened by genuine barrel-aged maple syrup—the kind that stays a bit thin in the refrigerator, unlike artificial pancake syrup. The maple note is brief, followed by a final hint of vanilla extract.

Frey Ranch Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon is well worth trying. Few bourbons on the market include oats for comparison, and this is easily the best I’ve tasted. The only comparable example I’ve encountered is a nearly seven-year-old barrel of Lee W. Sinclair, sampled while still in the cask in early 2024 at Spirits of French Lick with Alan Bishop by my side. However, calling this bourbon a novelty would be misleading—it holds its own alongside more traditional mashbills.

At $89 and 130.24 proof, it offers excellent value and is a strong addition to any bourbon collection.

130.24 proof. Reviewed: Barrel #3016.

A- / $89

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