FEW Spirits American Whiskey 750ML is a 93-proof (46.5% ABV) grain-to-glass blended American whiskey from Evanston, Illinois, in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this release is the unconventional addition of cherrywood-smoked malt whiskey to a base of FEW's bourbon and rye — a combination that earned an A- from Drinkhacker and an 89/100 from The Whiskey Wash.Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof) | Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA | Style: Blended American Whiskey | Distillery: FEW SpiritsProduction & HeritageFEW Spirits operates as a true grain-to-glass distillery in Evanston, Illinois — a city that was once a stronghold of the temperance movement and remained dry long after Prohibition ended. Every stage of production, from mashing through distillation and aging, takes place in-house. This American Whiskey expression was born when the distilling team hand-selected barrels of FEW's bourbon and rye whiskey and blended them with a third component: a cherrywood-smoked malt whiskey that, by the distillery's own account, defied conventional category rules but produced a result where the flavors mingled and married in unexpected ways.Tasting NotesAroma: Graham cracker and honey lead on the nose, layered over darker notes of barrel char, slate, and graphite. A faint wisp of cherrywood smoke drifts beneath, along with brown sugar and warm baking spice.Taste: The entry is approachable, with graham cracker sweetness giving way to savory rye spice at mid-palate. Tart cherry emerges through the center, flanked by cinnamon and cloves. The cherrywood smoke rounds out the texture rather than dominating it, adding depth without heaviness.Finish: Medium in length with subtle white pepper and lingering honey. The smoke recedes gently, leaving behind dry spice and a trace of graphite minerality.How to Drink FEW American WhiskeyAt 93 proof, this whiskey has enough structure to drink neat, though a few drops of water open up the smoky malt character. It also performs well on a single large ice cube, which softens the rye spice and lets the cherry notes come forward. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where the cherrywood smoke adds a layer of complexity beyond a standard bourbon base; a Manhattan, where the rye spice and tart cherry mirror classic vermouth flavors; or a Whiskey Sour, where the honey sweetness and fruit character play well against citrus.Best For Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values unusual production methods After-dinner sipping when you want something with smoke but not peat Building a home bar shelf focused on American craft distilleries Hosting a blind tasting exploring blended American whiskey styles Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does FEW American Whiskey taste like? It leads with graham cracker sweetness and honey, transitions into tart cherry and rye spice, and finishes with subtle white pepper and a touch of cherrywood smoke. The overall profile is approachable yet layered, with the smoke acting as a textural element rather than a dominant flavor.How does FEW American Whiskey compare to High West American Prairie? Both are blended American whiskeys from craft-oriented distilleries, but FEW's inclusion of cherrywood-smoked malt whiskey introduces a smoky, fruity dimension that High West American Prairie does not have. High West leans more toward classic straight whiskey character, while FEW plays with unconventional grain and smoking techniques.Is FEW American Whiskey good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46.5% ABV provides enough intensity to hold up neat without being harsh, and the layered blend of bourbon, rye, and smoked malt reveals different facets with each sip. A few drops of water can further open the smoke and fruit notes.Where is FEW American Whiskey made? FEW American Whiskey is distilled, blended, and bottled at FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago. The distillery handles all production in-house as a grain-to-glass operation.What foods pair well with FEW American Whiskey? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the cherrywood smoke character. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echoes the nutty, savory notes. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage matches the barrel char and brown sugar sweetness. Cherry pie or cherry clafoutis amplifies the tart fruit at mid-palate. Spiced pecans mirror the cinnamon and clove spice.What sizes does FEW American Whiskey come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.Is FEW American Whiskey worth the price? FEW American Whiskey positions as a premium craft expression, priced above mass-market blends but in line with other grain-to-glass American distilleries. The unusual three-whiskey blend and the inclusion of cherrywood-smoked malt provide genuine differentiation that justifies its placement in the premium tier, particularly for drinkers who seek something beyond conventional bourbon or rye.Why FEW American Whiskey?The defining move here is the cherrywood-smoked malt whiskey — a component almost no other American blend incorporates. That single decision transforms what could be a standard bourbon-rye blend into something with real textural depth and a smoky fruit quality distinct from peated Scotch or mesquite-smoked experiments. Scores of A- from Drinkhacker and 89/100 from The Whiskey Wash confirm that the unconventional approach lands well on the palate. For anyone building a collection of American whiskeys that go beyond the expected, this bottle fills a gap that few others address.
