FEW Standard Issue Gin

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.