FEW Spirits Bottled in Bond 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) grain-to-glass bourbon from Evanston, Illinois, aged a minimum of four years in Minnesota oak barrels. What distinguishes this expression from the crowded bottled-in-bond field is FEW's deliberate choice of Minnesota-sourced oak for maturation — an uncommon move that stamps a regional fingerprint onto the whiskey's flavor development.Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof) | Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA | Minimum 4 Years Old | Distillery: FEW Spirits DistilleryProduction & HeritageFEW Spirits Distillery was founded in Evanston, Illinois — a city that was once the headquarters of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and famously dry until 1972. The distillery operates a true grain-to-glass program, milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, and aging all on-site. The Bottled in Bond expression uses a mashbill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, then rests for at least four years in barrels made from Minnesota oak rather than the standard cooperage stock most bourbon producers source from Missouri or the Ozarks. This regional oak choice introduces subtly different tannin and flavor compounds, giving the finished spirit a character that stands apart from conventionally barreled bourbons. As required by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, this whiskey is the product of a single distillery, a single distilling season, and is bottled at exactly 100 proof.Tasting NotesAroma: Orange zest and butterscotch greet the nose first, followed by layers of tobacco leaf, toasted bread, and a faint wisp of smoke. Beneath that initial brightness sits a foundation of vanilla and ripe cherry that deepens as the whiskey opens up in the glass.Taste: The entry is notably creamy, with cherry and caramel arriving on the front palate before rye spice pushes through at mid-palate. Toasted oak and tobacco build steadily, and at 100 proof there is real weight here without harsh ethanol bite. The interplay between fruit sweetness and grain-driven spice keeps each sip interesting.Finish: Long and layered, with dark chocolate, earthy date notes, and lingering oak tannins. The finish dries gradually, leaving an elegant, slightly smoky impression that invites the next sip.How to Drink FEW Bottled in BondAt 100 proof, this bourbon holds up well neat but also rewards a few drops of water, which coax out more of the cherry and butterscotch aromatics. A single large ice cube is another solid approach for warm-weather sipping. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where the tobacco and caramel notes anchor the drink with depth; a Boulevardier, where the 100-proof backbone cuts cleanly through Campari's bitterness; or a Gold Rush, where the creamy mouthfeel and cherry sweetness complement honey and lemon without being overwhelmed.Best For Bourbon enthusiasts exploring craft distillery alternatives to mainstream bottled-in-bond releases Gifting someone who values grain-to-glass transparency and regional provenance Building a home bar flight comparing Minnesota oak maturation to standard American oak profiles Cocktail sessions that demand a full-proof bourbon with enough character to shine through mixers Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does FEW Bottled in Bond taste like? It leads with creamy cherry and caramel, moves into tobacco and toasted oak at mid-palate, and closes with a long finish of dark chocolate and dates. The overall impression is rich and layered with balanced rye spice.How does FEW Bottled in Bond compare to Old Forester 1920? Both are high-proof bourbons with prominent caramel and dark fruit notes, but Old Forester 1920 runs hotter at 115 proof and leans more heavily into dark chocolate and baking spice. FEW Bottled in Bond is slightly lower in proof and channels its Minnesota oak maturation into a more earthy, tobacco-driven profile with a creamier texture.Is FEW Bottled in Bond good for sipping neat? Yes — 100 proof is an ideal strength for neat drinking, delivering full flavor intensity without excessive alcohol heat. The creamy mouthfeel and long finish make it particularly rewarding without dilution.Where is FEW Bottled in Bond made? It is distilled and aged entirely at FEW Spirits Distillery in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago. Under bottled-in-bond regulations, all production — from grain milling through bottling — occurs at a single facility.What foods pair well with FEW Bottled in Bond? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the tobacco and oak character. Dark chocolate truffles echo the finish. Aged cheddar or Gruyère plays off the caramel sweetness. Pecan pie amplifies the butterscotch and toasted grain notes. Dried fruit and charcuterie boards also work well alongside the cherry and earthy date flavors.What sizes does FEW Bottled in Bond come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 100 proof.Is FEW Bottled in Bond worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, priced above mass-market bottled-in-bond options but justified by its grain-to-glass production, minimum four-year age statement, and distinctive Minnesota oak maturation that you simply will not find from larger distilleries.Why FEW Bottled in Bond?The use of Minnesota oak barrels is the clearest differentiator here — most American whiskey producers draw from the same handful of cooperages, and FEW's deliberate sourcing of regional wood gives this bourbon a tannin and flavor profile that genuinely diverges from the norm. The grain-to-glass production model means the distillery controls every variable from raw grain to sealed bottle, a level of oversight that large-scale producers rarely match. At exactly 100 proof with a minimum four-year age statement, this is a bourbon built to meet the strict federal standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act while still expressing the terroir and personality of a small Illinois distillery. For drinkers tired of interchangeable craft bourbons, FEW Bottled in Bond delivers a verifiably different flavor rooted in specific choices about wood, grain, and place.
