Few Spirits Alice In Chains Bourbon 750ML is a 101-proof (50.5% ABV) high-rye bourbon finished in ex-tequila barrels, bottled at 750ml. This collaboration between FEW Spirits and the iconic grunge band Alice In Chains stands out in a remarkably thin category — tequila-finished bourbons remain exceptionally rare on the American whiskey landscape.Quick Facts: ABV: 50.5% (101 Proof) | Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA | Tequila Barrel Finished | Distillery: FEW SpiritsProduction & HeritageFEW Spirits operates out of Evanston, Illinois, a Chicago suburb that was once the birthplace of the American temperance movement — a historical irony the distillery leans into with purpose. The Alice In Chains Bourbon starts with a high-rye mashbill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, then undergoes a six-month finishing period in ex-tequila barrels. While many tequila producers finish their spirits in bourbon casks, FEW reverses that equation here, producing one of the few widely available bourbons to carry an agave-barrel influence.Tasting NotesAroma: Young agave and vanilla cream soda lead the nose, intertwined with black pepper and subtle root beer character. Hints of lime and wood char emerge underneath, adding a smoky, citrus-tinged dimension.Taste: The entry hits with honey and a flash of bright agave that quickly gives way to anise, oak, and dusty cocoa. A tangy tart-cherry note appears mid-palate alongside racy red fruit and berry skins, while desert herbs, licorice, and oak tannins build toward the peak. Black pepper and occasional vanilla highlights pulse throughout.Finish: A pleasant grassiness anchors the close, accented by coriander and a lingering minty, peppery warmth. The oak influence carries through without overstaying, leaving a dry, herbal trail.How to Drink Alice In Chains BourbonAt 101 proof, this bourbon rewards a neat pour or a single large ice cube that gradually opens the agave and herbal notes as it dilutes. The tequila barrel influence also makes it unexpectedly versatile in cocktails: Boulevardier — the bourbon's anise and dark fruit play against Campari's bitterness with real complexity. Whiskey Sour — that tart-cherry note and citrus character from the tequila barrels amplify the cocktail's bright acidity. Old Fashioned — the herbal, peppery backbone holds up beautifully under bitters and a twist of orange peel. Best For Rock and grunge music fans seeking a collectible spirits collaboration with genuine substance Bourbon drinkers exploring unconventional barrel finishes beyond the standard wine-cask releases Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who gravitates toward high-proof, limited-production bottles Tasting sessions comparing barrel-finishing techniques and their impact on flavor Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Alice In Chains Bourbon taste like? It delivers a distinctive combination of honey, agave, tart cherry, anise, and black pepper, with oak tannins and herbal notes driven by its six-month tequila barrel finish. The 101-proof strength keeps flavors bold and layered without excessive heat.How does Alice In Chains Bourbon compare to other barrel-finished bourbons? Most barrel-finished bourbons use wine, sherry, or port casks, while this release uses ex-tequila barrels — a technique so uncommon that fewer than a handful of widely available bourbons share it. The result is a distinctly savory, agave-influenced profile that sets it apart from the fruit-forward character typical of wine-cask finishes.Is Alice In Chains Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes, the 101-proof strength carries enough body and complexity for straight sipping, while a few drops of water can unlock additional agave sweetness and herbal nuances from the tequila barrel finish.Where is Alice In Chains Bourbon made? It is distilled and produced at FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago known as a hub for craft distilling in the American Midwest.What foods pair well with Alice In Chains Bourbon? Grilled carne asada complements the agave and pepper notes naturally. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the cocoa and herbal finish. Aged cheddar plays against the oak tannins and vanilla. Smoked brisket matches the bourbon's char and spice. Mole-sauced dishes echo the anise and chocolate layers in the mid-palate.What sizes does Alice In Chains Bourbon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 101 proof (50.5% ABV).Is Alice In Chains Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon with a genuinely rare finishing technique and high-proof bottling, placing it above most standard-shelf bourbons in both complexity and collectibility — particularly for fans of the band or adventurous whiskey drinkers.Why Alice In Chains Bourbon?The real draw here is not the celebrity collaboration — it is the production choice. Finishing bourbon in ex-tequila barrels remains one of the rarest techniques in American whiskey, and FEW Spirits executes it with a six-month rest that integrates agave influence without masking the high-rye grain character. At 101 proof, the bourbon carries enough weight to hold its own neat while delivering a savory, herbal complexity that standard bourbon finishes simply do not replicate. For drinkers tired of the same port-finished and sherry-finished releases, this bottle represents a genuinely different direction.
