Frey Ranch Distillery is one of America’s few true farm-to-glass whiskey producers and they are marking a decade of distilling with their most ambitious release yet. The award winning Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition (also known as “First Harvest”) celebrates both ten years of whiskey production and five generations of agricultural heritage on their 2,000-acre Nevada farm.
Award Winning “First Harvest” with Master Blender Nancy Fraley
This limited-edition whiskey has already been awarded a Gold Medal (93 points) at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. What makes this release particularly special for the distillery is the collaboration with renowned Master Blender Nancy Fraley, who worked alongside founders Colby and Ashley Frey and Master Distiller Russell Wedlake to create a truly distinctive expression. The team tasted over 100 barrels and 14 different mash bills before selecting the perfect combination.
“As farmers first and foremost, the Harvester Series is a culmination of more than 170 years of growing the highest quality grains on our family farms in Northern Nevada,” said distillery Co-Founder and Farmer Colby Frey. “Collaborating with Nancy (Fraley) on our anniversary liquid was honestly a career highlight. She brings so much knowledge and passion, and really pushed us in an interesting direction.”
The release represents a significant milestone for Frey Ranch. With only 500 numbered bottles available at $249.99, fans of distillery should act quickly to secure this award winning whisky that is also sure to be a collector’s item.
Nevada’s Sustainable Whiskey Farm Showcases All Five Estate-Grown Grains in Collector’s Release
The 121.14 proof whiskey features all five grains grown exclusively on the Frey Ranch farm: non-GMO dent corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley, and oat. The unique mash bill includes 71.2% winter rye, 9.3% soft white winter wheat, and carefully crafted blends representing the remaining grains. The oldest whiskey in the blend is an impressive seven and a half years old.
Even the packaging tells the Frey Ranch story, with a vintage tractor topper made from 100% recycled metal replacing the traditional stopper. The bottle comes housed in grain silo-inspired packaging that prominently displays the family motto: “Be good to the land and the land will be good to you.”
Frey Ranch’s commitment to sustainability and transparency in sourcing stands out in an industry where many brands purchase their spirits from large producers. As Nancy Fraley noted, “Provenance as it relates to grains will grow in importance for whiskey drinkers, as more consumers think about where their spirits are sourced.”
The Harvester Series 10th Anniversary Edition
The flavor profile is described as reminiscent of a deconstructed s’more, with notes of butterscotch and oatmeal raisin cookie on the nose, confectionary sugar and marshmallow on the palate, and a finish featuring nutty milk chocolate and Nevada Pinyon Pinenut.
First Harvest is available for pre-sale online at the Frey Ranch website from April 30th through May 6th, 2025, with bottles shipping soon after. It will also be available at the Frey Ranch tasting room starting April 26th and at select Nevada retail locations afterward. For whiskey enthusiasts interested in experiencing Frey Ranch the working farm offers tours and tastings every Saturday from 12-4 p.m.
Read the full article at Frey Ranch Celebrates 10 Years with Limited Edition First Harvest Whiskey