FEW

FEW Spirits is an American craft distillery, located in Evanston, Illinois. The Chicago suburb was a hub for the Temperance Movement that culminated in prohibition and FEW is the first new distillery since the act was repealed in 1933.

Inspired by the golden age of spirits, the distillery produces a range of whiskey and gin. Every aspect of the production is done in-house for a complete grain to glass process.

FEW Bourbon showcases tasting notes of vanilla and caramel with a rich, spicy aroma.

The distillery utilises a three-grain recipe using locally sourced ingredients. Traditional corn combines with the spiciness of northern rye while barley malt adds smoothness. The bourbon mash bill is 70% corn with 20% rye and 10% barley. The rye recipe sees the percentage of corn and rye swapped.

Fermentation runs for three days. The process is temperature-controlled and different yeasts are used depending on the desired profile.

Distillation takes place in a 30-foot stainless steel column still. It is distilled to 120 proof before passing into a hybrid doubler to be redistilled. The second run takes the strength up to 140 proof, or 70% alcohol by volume.

FEW Whiskey ages in 53 gallon-Minnesota white oak barrels. To better allow for the extraction of flavours, the barrel is given a Number 3 char. Filled barrels are sent to one of the three company warehouses, situated within two miles of the distillery. Maturation usually lasts for around 4 years.

The distillery has produced an array of different bottlings. The core range is headed up by Straight Bourbon and Straight Rye whiskeys. A Limited Edition Four Grain Straight Bourbon was released as a special 10^th Anniversary bottling. The distillery also produces a Cold Cut Bourbon, featuring cask strength whiskey reduced to proof using cold cut coffee. 

Frances Elizabeth Willard was a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union based in Evanston. Such was her influence, the Chicago suburb remained dry for decades after the repeal of prohibition.

Enter Paul Hletko, the grandson of an old brewer looking to reclaim his family legacy. Hletko set out to make a new style of urban whiskey and cheekily decided to name his distillery after Frances Elizabeth Willard. A lawyer turned distiller, Hletko launched FEW Spirits in 2011.

Hletko was inspired by Chicago’s rich heritage. Each 70cl bottle of FEW Whiskey depicts an image of the Chicago World Fair of 1893. The flagship bourbon shows The Statue of the Republic, a 65-foot statue that dominated the fair.