Black Frost Distilling, a relatively new player in the whiskey world, was founded in 2022 in New Ulm, Minnesota. While it doesn’t yet have the decades of maturation behind it to craft truly aged whiskey, the distillery has quickly made a name for itself with some distinctive production techniques and a fresh approach to creating spirits. The distillery’s first offering, Black Frost Wheated Blended Bourbon, was followed closely by the release of Black Frost Blended Rye Malt Whiskey on March 1, 2025.

One thing that stands out immediately is Black Frost’s commitment to unconventional fermentation methods. Using open-top wooden tanks that are wider than they are tall, they allow for a unique fermentation process. This is paired with the use of Schizosaccharomyces Pombe, a non-saccharomyces yeast strain that the distillery propagates in-house over seven days before pitching. Fermentation occurs over 72 hours with no artificial cooling, which gives the whiskey a distinct flavor profile. Add to this the use of Minnesota-grown oak barrels, crafted by Black Swan Cooperage, and it’s clear that Black Frost is committed to producing something different from the norm.

The 53-gallon barrels are charred to a #3 level and given a medium toast, and all whiskey enters the barrel at a modest 110 proof. Using a 14-inch Vendome column still, distillate runs off the column at 117 proof and off the doubler at 125 proof. Perhaps most interesting of all is Black Frost’s approach to slow proofing in the barrel, reducing the whiskey’s proof before it is dumped.

Though Black Frost has not yet had time to release well-aged whiskey, their dedication to innovation in production raises the question: Can youthful spirits, crafted with such attention to detail, still hold their own against more established competitors? Let’s find out.

Black Frost Wheated Blended Bourbon Tasting Notes

Black Frost Wheated Blended Bourbon is a youthful but intriguing offering from the distillery, aged for at least two years and crafted from a unique blend of 20 barrels. While the whiskey may not yet have the deep maturity of older whiskeys, it certainly doesn’t lack character or complexity. The production process itself is quite distinctive—much like Canadian whisky, Black Frost selects, blends, and re-barrels individual grain whiskies one year prior to bottling, allowing the components to marry in their original barrels for the final year of aging.

This composite blend is made up of 14 barrels of bourbon, 5 barrels of wheat whiskey, and 1 barrel of rye whiskey, which together create a mashbill of 63% corn, 25% malted wheat, 7% malted barley, and 5% malted rye. What stands out about the ingredients is the local, estate-grown grains that make up a substantial portion of the blend. The bourbon component features 90% estate-grown yellow dent corn and 10% estate-grown Pinnacle 2-row malted barley, malted by Rahr Malting in Shakopee, Minnesota. The wheat component is made up of 75% estate-grown Red Winter wheat malt from Maltwerks in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and 25% Caracrystal wheat malt from Briess Malting in Chilton, Wisconsin. The rye component is similarly locally sourced, with 75% estate-grown Danko Rye malt from Maltwerks and 25% caramel rye malt from Briess.

The bouquet opens with a comforting warmth, reminiscent of freshly baked pumpkin pie, rich with sweet and spiced notes. Burnt brown sugar adds sweetness, accentuated by a touch of honey that rounds out the aroma. Subtle hints of mild tobacco give the nose a soft, earthy complexity, while delicate floral notes provide a light, fragrant lift. There are no sharp or overpowering scents — just a well-balanced, inviting aroma that is both soothing and pleasing.

The palate begins with a note of Lipton Peach Iced Tea, offering a subtle sweetness with a hint of fruitiness. A surprising touch of pickled ginger adds a zesty edge that contrasts nicely with the tea’s mellow nature. As the flavors develop, mild notes of nutmeg present, bringing a spiced character to the mix. Underneath, there’s a delicate presence of mildly roasted coffee beans, adding a light bitterness that balances the sweeter elements. The mouthfeel is thinnish, just shy of medium viscosity, providing a more delicate texture that lets the flavors shine without feeling heavy.

The finish brings a comforting, creamy profile with notes of coconut milk and smooth milk chocolate, evoking the rich sweetness of an Almond Joy candy bar. Subtle hints of almonds linger, reinforcing that nutty, confectionery-like sweetness. Regretfully, the finish is relatively short in length. For a whiskey of such young age, this is surprisingly enjoyable — easy to drink and full of character. While it’s already quite approachable, there’s a sense of curiosity about how it will evolve and deepen with a few more years of maturation. This is a whiskey that’s definitely worth revisiting as it continues to mature. 92 proof. B / $45

Black Frost Blended Rye Malt Whiskey Tasting Notes

Black Frost Blended Rye Malt Whiskey presents a distinctive blend of grains. The derived mashbill consists of 80% rye, 18% corn, and 2% malted barley. The rye component is primarily made up of 75% Danko pale rye malt and 25% caramel rye malt, both sourced from Maltwerks and Briess. The whiskey is aged for a minimum of 2 years, with the oldest barrels in the blend being aged for 2.5 years. The blend itself consists of 20 barrels in total, with 16 of those being 100% malted rye and 4 barrels being high-corn bourbon.

The nose kicks off with a lively burst of grapefruit, bright and tangy, followed by a rich, earthy aroma of pipe tobacco that adds depth and complexity. A playful sweetness develops with notes of strawberry hard candy, offering a sugary, fruit-forward element. Underlying it all are subtle hints of pencil shavings, adding a touch of woodiness to the mix. The fruity nature of the malted rye is clearly expressed here, creating an inviting, layered aroma that is both fresh and intriguing.

The palate opens with the sweetness of brown sugar, quickly followed by the roasted flavor of coffee, adding depth. Matching the nose, a surge of strawberry hard candy adds a playful, fruity sweetness, while peach notes add a juicy, ripe character to the mix. The mouthfeel is medium viscosity, offering a rounded texture that complements the complexity of flavors. Despite its youthful age, Black Frost Blended Rye Malt Whiskey avoids the sharp or harsh notes often found in younger whiskies. The malting process clearly works to soften the rye, allowing for a more approachable, balanced profile that highlights the delicate sweetness and rich undertones.

The finish is clean and crisp, with a hint of green apple that lingers alongside a gentle dusting of cinnamon, adding a touch of warmth. Subtle notes of black licorice arrive late, adding an earthy, slightly herbal character to the end of the sip. The finish is relatively short in length, leaving behind a light, spice-driven aftertaste.

At just over 2 years old, this whiskey is remarkably enjoyable, easily outshining many other ryes at a similar age. While it’s already perfectly drinkable now, the balance of flavors suggests that it has the potential to develop even further. I’d be more than happy to continue sipping this rye as it is, but I look forward to revisiting it in another couple of years to see how its character evolves with time. 92 proof. B+ / $54

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