Distillery
FEW Spirits
FEW Spirits is a grain-to-glass craft distillery based in Evanston, Illinois (Chicago metropolitan area). Founded in 2011, it produces small-batch whiskies (bourbon, rye and single malt) and gin, with notable expressions such as Bourbon, Cold Cut Bourbon, Rye and Immortal Rye.
- Evanston · Illinois · United States
- Since 2011
- 4 products
The story
Founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko, FEW Spirits began as a grain-to-glass operation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston and became known as one of the first modern distilleries in the area after Prohibition. The brand draws inspiration from local history (including the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and Evanston's temperance background) and has developed a range of craft whiskies and gins, with multiple releases and musical collaborations.
Production philosophy
A craft, small-batch approach focused on grain-to-glass processes and experimentation that challenges conventions: FEW favors products with a strong personality, limited releases and creative collaborations.
Territory
Evanston (Chicago suburb), Illinois, United States
Awards and recognition
Whisky Advocate Awards 2013 – Craft Whiskey of the Year (mentioned in official promotional material).
Production method
Grain-to-glass: in-house fermentation and distillation. The operation uses a column still (Vendome) for the base spirit; whiskey production also employs a hybrid still of about 1,500 L for certain stages and a pot still of about 150 L for gin. Small-batch production and finishing in different casks for specific expressions.
Distillation
Grain-to-glass production with a Vendome column for the base spirit; a hybrid still (~1,500 L) is used for some whiskey finishing stages and a pot still (~150 L) for the gin. Small-batch production.
Ageing
Aging in charred American oak barrels for bourbon and rye expressions; some releases use air-dried or new, charred American oak; there are finishes in ex-tequila, ex-rum and ex-vermouth casks for particular releases.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Evanston
- Categories
- American whisky
- bourbon
- Rye whiskey
- American single malt
- Craft gin
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- rye
- corn
- Casks and ageing vessels
- charred American oak barrels
- air-dried oak barrels
- new, charred American oak
- ex-tequila barrels
- ex-rum barrels
- ex-vermouth barrels
- Representative products
- Whisky Bourbon 70cl - FEW
- Whisky Bourbon Cold Cut 70cl - FEW
- Whisky Rye 70cl - FEW
- Whisky Rye Immortal Rye 70cl - FEW
What makes it distinctive
- Grain-to-glass since 2011
- Based in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago
- Range includes bourbon, rye, American single malt and gin
- Collaborations with bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Alice In Chains and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
- Whisky Advocate award: Craft Whiskey of the Year (2013) noted in promotional materials