Black cherry | Stewed cherry | Brandy | Prune | Molasses | Charred oak | Very robust

Black currant | Fig | Fruit cake | Graham cracker | Cinnamon | Green apple

Prune | Heavy barrel char | Bootstrap molasses | Black pepper | Light clove

Lost Lantern’s latest batch of releases dubbed, “Summer of Bourbon” includes eight whiskeys in total ranging from the Blend Series (blends of whiskeys from multiple distilleries), the Single Distillery Series (blends of multiple casks from a single distillery), and the Single Cask Series (whiskeys from a single barrel from a single distillery). To learn more about these releases, check out the company’s press release for more information.

Frey Ranch Distillery is an estate distillery located in northern Nevada. On this 165 year old, 1,500-acre family farm, they grow all of their grains, malt their barley onsite, and the whiskey is both produced and aged on their grounds. When I reviewed Frey Ranch’s Straight Bourbon, I noted its striking light vanilla, green apple, citrus, and tempered apricot notes. While light on overall complexity, its uniqueness shined through in every sip. Comparably, Lost Lantern’s single barrel offering from Frey Ranch increases its age and proof, simplifies its standard mashbill and the result is striking to say the least.

Offering a host of dark and robust flavors, this single barrel from Frey Ranch almost tastes like a completely different bourbon than their standard straight bourbon. Layers of black cherry, black currant, fig, and fruit cake create a deep and intensely robust bourbon. With its proof cranked up to 137.2, this further enhances the potency of the sip that I longed for with their standard bourbon. From the nose to the finish, the bourbon stays within a narrow band of flavors, which work off each other with a surprising amount of finesse. Despite its bold front of flavors and proof, Frey Ranch’s unique characteristics still shine through. Notably, this still tastes like a Frey Ranch bourbon which is always important to not give up unique traits in the search for high proof. After tasting a different side of Frey Ranch from their standard offerings, I’m further intrigued by what this estate distillery is creating.

The barrel chosen for this release produced a total of 217 bottles.