FEW

Hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, skilled men are quietly violating one of Evanstons founding principles: Prohibition. In the 19th century, Frances Elizabeth Willard was elected President of the Chicago Womans Christian Temperance Union and embarked on a decade-long crusade to prohibit alcohol in the United States. Willard worked tirelessly; as President of the WCTU, she traveled roughly 30,000 miles and gave an average of 400 lectures each year for an entire decade.As a result, Evanston remained a dry town for over 100 years. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams,"Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws." Today, Hletko and his team of master distillers produce FEW Rye Whiskey and FEW Bourbon Whiskey in the heart of Evanston, Illinois.Like FEWs award winning rye, this release is made from a mash that uses corn, rye, and malted barley grown within 150 miles of the distillery. "The corn comes from a farmers co-op in Indiana and my barley and rye from farmers in Wisconsin," notes Hletko. After mashing and fermenting the grains using French wine yeast, Hletko distills the wash through his 1,500-liter Kothe copper-pot still.After distillation, the rye is aged in custom-made oak barrels from Minnesota. "The cooper I eventually chose to make our barrels won 24 out of 25 categories at a spirits competition I visited," Hletko says. "Im no math major, but thats the cooper I want to make our barrels." The #3 char on the barrels gives FEW Rye hints of allspice and peppercorn, which are followed by notes of dark caramel and cinnamon. In addition, the casks contribute slightly sweet hints of honey and vanilla, which are nicely balanced by a spicy finish that intensifies as it lingers. After aging the rye, Hletko and his team of distillers fill each bottle by hand, affixed with an artistic label inspired by the psychedelic rock group, the Flaming Lips. Music industry designer Justin Helton approached the folks at FEW about the partnership. A long-time Flaming Lips fan who has also done graphic design work for Ween, Phish, and the Black Keys among others, Helton wanted to create a special product dedicated to one of his favorite bands.Upon release, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne remarked: Whiskey its such a volatile drink. Upon pouring a drink its like accepting that you may become a werewolf And really ... Who doesnt want to become a werewolf ??? Ha. Heres hoping this rye doesnt actually turn you into a werewolf, that might be fun for you but it would be decidedly terrifying for everyone else. Perhaps it will inspire in you some level of transcendence nonetheless.This is a limited release of 5,000 bottles. Get yours today!

Founded as a dry community, Evanston, Illinois was the birthplace of the Womens Temperance Movement and home to Frances Elizabeth Willard, an influential protagonist in the story of Prohibition. As the Temperance Movement approached a boiling point, abstinence slowly began to creep across the country and Willard and her league of temperance supporters turned Evanston into a stronghold.For over 100 years, Evanston remained a dry town. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws."Today, hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, Hletko and his skilled team are producing another batch of FEW Spirits American Gin. The gin is crafted from a mash of corn, wheat and unmalted barley, which are infused with eleven unique botanicals, including juniper, citrus lemon and orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cassia, grains-of-paradise and home-grown hops. As a result, the gin has a bold citrusy flavor profile, with notes of spicy ginger and earthy botanicals that complement a subtle hint of juniper.Once the botanicals have been infused, the gin is bottled at 80 proof. FEW American Gin earned the Silver Medal at the International Review of Spirits Competition in 2011, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.Pick up a bottle today!

FEW Spirits, based in the growing Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, is an American grain-to-glass distillery founded in 2011. The distillery produces a range of award-winning whiskeys and gins, using ingredients sourced as locally as possible. The first inspiration behind this craft distillery are the pre-Prohibition times, or the golden age of spirits, and the 1893 Worlds Fair, which took place in Chicago. The second inspiration comes from the Prohibition itself. When trying to come up with a name and looking for a word that could imply something rare, small, the FEW Spirits founder and distiller Paul Hletko realized FEW are also the initials of Frances Elizabeth Willard, a prominent late-19th century figure in the Womens Christian Temperance Union, whose activities culminated in the Prohibition that started in 1920. Even though the Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Evanston remained a dry community several decades later, and you could not buy liquor there until 1970s. Hletko had his work cut out for him, and had to push for changes in the local law before he could start. FEW Spirits was the first distillery to open in Evanston in modern times, and in less than a decade of operation, its American whiskeys with a bold Chicago-style twist and other innovative products have already won a long line of awards and acclaims. The distillery produces its handcrafted, small-batch spirits in two copper pot stills, using the first still to produce the whiskey and strip low wines for gin production, and a separate still for gin production to prevent the gin flavors from mixing with their whiskey. FEW American Straight Whiskey is made by blending hand-selected FEW Bourbon and FEW Rye whiskeys that create the backbone of the expression, and adding the distillerys rich yet balanced experimental cherrywood-smoked malt whiskey. This whiskey comes with no age statement, and is bottled at 46.5 percent ABV.Grab your bottle today!

Founded as a dry community, Evanston, Illinois was the birthplace of the Womens Temperance Movement and home to Frances Elizabeth Willard, an influential protagonist in the story of Prohibition. As the Temperance Movement approached a boiling point, abstinence slowly began to creep across the country and Willard and her league of temperance supporters turned Evanston into a stronghold.For over 100 years, Evanston remained a dry town. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws."Today, hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, Hletko and his skilled team are producing another batch of FEW Spirits Barrel-Aged Gin. The gin is crafted from a mash of corn, wheat and unmalted barley, which is infused with a secret recipe of botanicals, each individually selected for the way it interacts with wood. As its name suggests, FEW Barrel-Aged Gin is laid to rest for four months in five-gallon, new American oak barrels which have been toasted with a #3 char. As a result, the gin has a soft amber color, and a nose filled with liquorice candy, citrus and clove. The palate is earthy and balanced, with flavors of fresh grain and sugar complemented by light, oaky undertones. The finish is soft and delicate, with notes of caramel and brown sugar.Bottled at 93 proof, FEW Barrel-Aged Gin earned a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute, where it was the highest rated gin in the last five years.Pick up a bottle today!

Founded as a dry community, Evanston, Illinois was the birthplace of the Womens Temperance Movement and home to Frances Elizabeth Willard, an influential protagonist in the story of Prohibition. As the Temperance Movement approached a boiling point, abstinence slowly began to creep across the country and Willard and her league of temperance supporters turned Evanston into a stronghold.For over 100 years, Evanston remained a dry town. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws.This special expression from FEW spirits was designed by distiller Steven Kaplan. Catered towards brunch eaters, with the classic French 75 cocktail in mind, they had initially considered adding coffee to make this gin distinct, but instead went with earl grey tea as a botanical, which was incorporated in the recipe to compliment juniper, citrus profile of the spirit. Just like FEW Spirits other Gins, this expression has a complex, grain-forward mash bill made from corn, wheat and barley.On the nose are aromas of bread, coriander, and lemon, tailed by notes of brewing earl grey. Hidden notes of lavender and black tea begin to emerge, layered above a hint of menthol, hops and barley.The palate is refined, with earl grey, bergamot, citrus and fresh juniper notes. Mid-palate has the signature FEW creaminess and a burst of cinnamon on its dry finish. FEW Breakfast Gin is bottled at 42 percent ABV.Pick up a bottle of this unique gin today!

Hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, skilled men are quietly violating one of Evanstons founding principles: Prohibition. In the 19th century, Frances Elizabeth Willard was elected President of the Chicago Womans Christian Temperance Union and embarked on a decade-long crusade to prohibit alcohol in the United States. Willard worked tirelessly; as President of the WCTU, she traveled roughly 30,000 miles and gave an average of 400 lectures each year for an entire decade.As a result, Evanston remained a dry town for over 100 years. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams, Hletko says. People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws.Today, Hletko and his team of master distillers produce FEW spirits in the heart of Evanston, Illinois. FEW has brewed up an eye opening new experience. To make this Cold Cut Bourbon, cask strength FEW Bourbon is mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled at the FEW distillery then cut with cold brew coffee. Cold Cut is a unique whiskey delivering unexpected depth and boldness. Perfect choice for Brunch or in a mean, bold, Manhattan.Pick up your bottle today!

Founded in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL in 2011, FEW Spirits is a grain-to-glass distillery that crafts award-winning whiskey and gin, while constantly innovating and experimenting in order to bring surprising flavors to the discerning drinker. Evanston held the 1893 Worlds Fair, where the US was introduced to several modern inventions. The town was also known as the seat of Prohibition and would remain a dry community long after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. These 2 events became the inspiration that fueled the distiller Paul Hletkos vision of creating FEW Spirits, the first legal distillery ever to craft spirits in Evanston.The ever-creative Hletko has always loved making new things, whether as an engineer, lawyer, or musician. "At the end of the day, I like to have created something that didnt exist that morning and offers something completely different," says Hletko of the passion that drove him to open the distillery. With it he focused on creating urban whiskey that could rival that of his Kentucky friends with humble beginnings in an old chop shop. Now he crafts artisanal small-batch spirits using locally-sourced grains, ages them in American oak barrels and bottles on-site into US-made glass bottles. Hletko was named Distiller of the Year in 2018s edition of the Gin Magazines "Icons of Gin" feature. The FEW Immortal Rye expression is based on their award-winning grain-to-glass Straight Rye Whiskey that is aged in air-dried oak barrels. The cask-strength straight rye that has received a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is then brought to proof with 8 Immortals oolong tea, resulting in a complex whiskey that retains its rye character and ramps up the complexity with fruity and creamy notes of the famous tea. Grab a bottle today!

Hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, skilled men are quietly violating one of Evanstons founding principles: Prohibition. In the 19th century, Frances Elizabeth Willard was elected President of the Chicago Womans Christian Temperance Union and embarked on a decade-long crusade to prohibit alcohol in the United States. Willard worked tirelessly; as President of the WCTU, she traveled roughly 30,000 miles per year and gave an average of 400 lectures each year for an entire decadeAs a result, Evanston remained a dry town for over 100 years. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws."Today, Hletko and his team of master distillers distill FEW Single Malt Whisky in the heart of Evanston, Illinois.FEW Single Malt Whisky is crafted exclusively from malted barley. Unlike traditional single malts, however, the whisky is crafted using both cherry wood smoked barley (this imparts a sweet, slightly smoky flavor) and unsmoked two-row barley. After distillation, the single malt is matured in custom-made oak barrels from Minnesota. "The cooper I eventually chose to make our barrels won 24 out of 25 categories at a spirits competition I visited," Hletko says. "Im no math major, but thats the cooper I want to make our barrels."As a result, the single malt has an aroma of fudge, vanilla and salted caramel. Notes of turmeric, cherry, espresso beans, honey and graham crackers dominate the palate, and lead to a finish with hints of apples, oak, smoke, cinnamon and caramel.Pick up a bottle today!

Founded as a dry community, Evanston, Illinois was the birthplace of the Womens Temperance Movement and home to Frances Elizabeth Willard, an influential protagonist in the story of Prohibition. As the Temperance Movement approached boiling point, abstinence slowly began to creep across the country and Willard and her league of temperance supporters turned Evanston into a stronghold.For over 100 years, Evanston remained a dry town. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws."Today, hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, Hletko and his skilled team are producing a batch of Limited Edition FEW Spirits Standard Issue Gin. The gin is made from a mash of malted barley, corn, wheat and rye. While many distilleries buy neutral grain spirit that they further distill into gin or whiskey, every drop of FEW Standard Gin is made by hand at Hletkos space in downtown Evanston. Hletko buys his corn from a farmers co-op in Indiana and his wheat and malt from farmers in Wisconsin. Then he mashes, ferments and distills the gin at his Illinois distillery.With strong notes of juniper and fennel, FEW Spirits Standard Issue Gin is bottled at 114 proof in homage to the daily rations of gin given to sailors in the Royal Navy the high proof ensured that their cannons would continue to fire even after the gin spilled on their gunpowder.Frances Elizabeth Willard would not be amused. Its unlikely shed approve of the cheeky name Hletko chose either, which is sometimes written as "F.E.W. Spirits." "People say shes rolling over in her grave," Hletko jokes. "I wouldnt know about that the name is just a coincidence."Dont miss your chance to pick up a bottle of Limited Edition FEW Standard Gin today.

Hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, skilled men are quietly violating one of Evanstons founding principles: Prohibition. In the 19th century, Frances Elizabeth Willard was elected President of the Chicago Womans Christian Temperance Union and embarked on a decade-long crusade to prohibit alcohol in the United States. Willard worked tirelessly; as President of the WCTU, she traveled roughly 30,000 miles and gave an average of 400 lectures each year for an entire decade.As a result, Evanston remained a dry town for over 100 years. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws."Today, Hletko and his team of master distillers produce FEW Bourbon Whiskey in the heart of Evanston, Illinois.FEW Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made from a mash of 70 percent corn, 20 percent barley and 10 percent rye. "The corn comes from a farmers co-op in Indiana and my barley and rye from farmers in Wisconsin," notes Hletko. After mashing and fermenting the grains, Hletko distills the wash through his 1,500-liter Kothe copper-pot still.After distillation, the bourbon is aged in custom-made oak barrels from Minnesota. "The cooper I eventually chose to make our barrels won 24 out of 25 categories at a spirits competition I visited," Hletko says. "Im no math major, but thats the cooper I want to make our barrels." The #3 char on the barrels contributes slightly sweet hints of honey and vanilla to FEW Bourbon, which are nicely balanced by a spicy finish that intensifies as it lingers. After aging the bourbon, Hletko and his team of distillers fill and label each bottle by hand.FEW Straight Bourbon Whiskey earned a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute and a Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.As one of the leading figures of the Temperance movement, its unlikely that Frances Elizabeth Willard would approve of Hletkos success or the name he chose for his distillery, which is sometimes written as F.E.W. Spirits."People say shes rolling over in her grave, Hletko says with a coy smile. "I wouldnt know about that the name is just a coincidence."Pick up a bottle today!

Hidden down a dark alley in a former chop shop, skilled men are quietly violating one of Evanstons founding principles: Prohibition. In the 19th century, Frances Elizabeth Willard was elected President of the Chicago Womans Christian Temperance Union and embarked on a decade-long crusade to prohibit alcohol in the United States. Willard worked tirelessly; as President of the WCTU, she traveled roughly 30,000 miles and gave an average of 400 lectures each year for an entire decade.As a result, Evanston remained a dry town for over 100 years. It wasnt until Paul Hletko, owner and master distiller at FEW Spirits, began lobbying the town that the antiquated laws were lifted. "Im the vice president of the PTA at my kids school and I coach their soccer and T-ball teams," Hletko says. "People around town know me and what Im about, which is handy when youre looking to change 100 years of laws." Today, Hletko and his team of master distillers produce FEW Rye Whiskey in the heart of Evanston, Illinois.FEW Rye is made from a mash of 70 percent rye, 20 percent corn and 10 percent malted barley. "The corn comes from a farmers co-op in Indiana and my barley and rye from farmers in Wisconsin," notes Hletko. After milling, mashing and fermenting the grains, Hletko distills the wash through his 1,500-liter Kothe copper-pot still imported from Germany.Following distillation, the rye whiskey is aged in custom-made oak barrels from Minnesota. "The cooper I eventually chose to make our barrels won 24 out of 25 categories at a spirits competition I visited," Hletko says. "Im no math major, but thats the cooper I want to make our barrels." The #3 char on the barrels gives FEW Rye hints of allspice and peppercorn, which are followed by notes of dark caramel, coffee, mellow vanilla and cinnamon. These flavors earned FEW Rye Whiskey the title of Craft Whiskey of the Year from Whisky Advocate. As one of the leading figures of the Temperance movement, its unlikely that Frances Elizabeth Willard would approve of Hletkos success or the name he chose for his distillery, which is sometimes written as F.E.W. Spirits."People say shes rolling over in her grave," Hletko says with a coy smile. "I wouldnt know about that the name is just a coincidence."Try the Craft Whiskey of the Year today!