Distillery: Frey Ranch Distillery—Fallon, NV
Proof: 118.5 (59.3% ABV)
Age: Six Years
Mashbill: 100% Frey Ranch-grown Winter Rye
MSRP: $100
A Focused Cask Strength Rye with Character and No Gimmicks
Lost Lantern’s model is simple and brilliant: identify compelling distillery partners then showcase their work through transparent, carefully selected single barrels.
Their Summer 2025 lineup includes a standout rye from Frey Ranch Distillery, one of only a few all estate-grown grain-to-glass distilleries. Located in Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch grows all its own grain and produces whiskey entirely on-site. This particular barrel—made from 100% Winter Rye, aged six years, and bottled at 118.5 proof—offers a distinct profile.
The bottle count is low—only 230–but the impact is big. This is desert-aged rye with a bold structure and restrained sweetness.
Lost Lantern Estate-Grown Single Cask Series Frey Ranch Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.5/5
Fresh sweet mint. Dark chocolate. Toasted grain. Oak char.
Strengths: Clean and clear. Minimal ethanol. Well defined character that makes you think this is a unique expression. Sweet mint and dark chocolate are well-integrated rather than overwhelming.
Why it’s not higher: The range is relatively narrow—no fruit, no layered spice, and doesn’t evolve much evolution in the glass.
Rating justification: The expression of mint and chocolate grain is dialed in. Its profile doesn’t progress beyond its strong initial impression.
Palate – 4.5/5
Chocolate mint. Cream. Graham cracker. Cloves. White pepper.
Strengths: Excellent mouthfeel. No bite or burn—just great structure. Flavors move from cool and sweet to spicy and dry.
Why it’s not higher: The flavor arc stays in a familiar lane. It excels, but there’s little surprise or added depth beyond its core mint-chocolate-spice identity.
Rating justification: A well-built Palate with strong transitions—its focused nature leaves a bit to be desire—a small bit.
Finish – 4.25/5
Cedar spice. Black Pepper. Dry Oak. Long Cool Mint.
Strengths: Everything fades with clarity and length. The cool mint and oak spice keep it “energetic” throughout. No syrupy notes that can sometimes appear on long Finishes.
Why it’s not higher: While long and clean, it doesn’t surprise or expand at the final.
Rating justification: Impressive length, with a Finish that feels true to the rest of the whiskey.
Value – 4.3/5
Single barrel. 100% estate-grown rye. Six year aging. Cask strength.
At $100, this is not an everyday purchase—but in the context of the rye landscape, especially a small-production, estate-driven offering, the price feels well-aligned. This isn’t sourced whiskey, and there’s no marketing fluff. You know where the grain came from, how it was distilled, and who bottled it. That transparency matters to enthusiasts—and the flavor backs it up.
Strengths: A clarity, rarity, and a distinctive profile that delivers something rare among rye expressions. This is a bottle for enthusiasts who appreciate a rye with character, a sense of place and pride in craftmanship.
Why it’s not higher: Its appeal may be more narrow than some similarly priced craft picks. If you’re not already on board with minty, dry, grain-forward rye, this will not convert you.
Rating justification: The price point reflects the quality and philosophy of Frey Ranch—but its singularity may slightly limit broad enthusiasm.
Fans of estate whiskey and minimalist craft ryes will find plenty to appreciate here.
Lost Lantern Estate-Grown Single Cask Series Frey Ranch Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict
This Lost Lantern single barrel from Frey Ranch is bold, focused, and proudly agricultural. It doesn’t chase secondary finishing trends or overload the Palate with sweetness. Instead, it provides a precise profile of mint, chocolate, cedar, and grain. Fans of estate whiskey and minimalist craft ryes will find plenty to appreciate here. Shop here.
Verdict – 4.4/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.