Some of America’s Most Interesting Whiskey Is Coming From a State You'd Never Expect

On a patch of high desert farmland in Fallon, NV, Colby Frey carries forward more than 165 years of family tradition. What began in 1854 as a homestead has become Frey Ranch, where the fifth-generation farmer distills whiskey from the grains he grows—proof that heritage and innovation can share the same glass.

Frey grew up knowing he wanted to be a farmer. His father, however, insisted he study business instead of agriculture, warning that most farms fail not from poor farming but from poor management. 

“He said, ‘I can teach you what you need to do on the farm,’” Frey recalls. “‘But you need to learn how to run the business.’” 

That advice proved prescient when Frey and his wife Ashley decided to turn their crops into whiskey. Ashley is involved across the company—from shaping the brand’s identity to welcoming visitors at the ranch—ensuring that the family’s legacy is carried forward together.

Unlike many distilleries that source grain from commodity markets, Frey Ranch grows 100 percent of its wheat, rye, barley, and corn onsite. The idea is simple but radical: grain is to whiskey what grapes are to wine—and terroir matters. 

“Our goal from the beginning was to showcase the grains that we grow here on the farm,” Frey says. “Rather than doing secondary finishes or things to differentiate ourselves, we want to take the grain and let it do the talking.”

That philosophy has led to a wide range of experiments. Beyond traditional bourbon, Frey Ranch has produced whiskeys made entirely from single grains—100 percent rye, wheat, barley, or corn—as well as blends like the Harvester Series, created in collaboration with master blender Nancy Fraley, who's behind several whiskey and rum blends.

Frey Ranch malts its own grains onsite, giving Colby and his team control over every step of the process. For their smoked series, they dry malted barley and rye in a custom-built silo smoker fueled by wood—a nod to Scotch-style traditions. The rest of the grains are dried conventionally in the malting drum, ensuring consistency while still leaving room for experimentation.

“It’s interesting to drink and think about all of the different steps that led to whatever drink we’re drinking,” Frey says. “We have our hands on every part of the process.”

The farm’s location in Fallon is central to that story. Known as an “oasis in the desert,” the region offers hot days and cool nights, ideal for corn growth. Water flows down from Lake Tahoe through the Truckee and Carson rivers, allowing Frey Ranch to flood irrigate fields without the feast-or-famine rainfall cycles of the Midwest. The dry climate means no fungicides are needed, and corn dries naturally in the field, eliminating the need for energy-intensive dehydrators. 

“The more you learn about everywhere else, the more I’m just thankful to be where we’re at,” Frey says.

Patience has also defined the distillery’s path. While many new brands release whiskey after two years, Frey Ranch waited until its spirit was five years old before bottling, and didn’t source whiskey from other producers. 

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“We wanted our first impression to be our whiskey, not somebody else’s,” Frey explains. “Anything we do, we’re going to do it the best we can. If it costs a little bit more money, or if it’s a little bit more time, that’s okay.”

For Frey, the pride comes not just in the product but in sharing it. After years of laying down barrels, he remembers the moment they finally poured their whiskey for others. 

“It is really fun for me to go to a tasting, or host people out at the ranch and show them everything,” he says. “We’re out here on the farm, and a lot of times we’re by ourselves, and we work really hard, but nobody really gets to see it until they get to taste the whiskey. So the proudest thing for me was when we actually got to start selling whiskey. People really enjoyed it. This is the fruits of our labor finally starting to pay off.”

Get a bottle of Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey at the Men's Journal Spirits Shop!

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