FEW Bourbon is one of those bottles that reminds you the craft distilling movement in America isn't just hype — there's genuine substance behind the smaller labels if you know where to look. Based out of Evanston, Illinois, FEW operates in what was historically a dry town, which is the kind of irony whiskey people love. At 46.5% ABV, this bourbon is bottled at a strength that tells you the distillery wants you to actually taste what they've made, not just a watered-down version of it. That's a detail I always respect.
As a bourbon, FEW falls under the strict legal requirements that make American whiskey what it is: at least 51% corn in the mashbill, aged in new charred oak barrels, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof. These aren't arbitrary rules — each one shapes the final spirit in meaningful ways. That barrel entry proof, for instance, determines how much the whiskey extracts from the wood during maturation. A lower entry proof generally means more water molecules interacting with the oak, pulling out different congeners than a higher proof would. The result tends to be a rounder, more grain-forward character rather than one dominated purely by wood tannins.
This is a NAS (no age statement) release, which in the craft world usually means we're looking at a younger spirit — likely somewhere in the three-to-five-year range, though FEW doesn't confirm that. With smaller barrels and a different climate to Kentucky's traditional rickhouses, craft distillers often get a different maturation curve. Illinois summers are hot and winters are genuinely cold, which means the barrel is expanding and contracting aggressively, pushing spirit in and out of the wood. That seasonal swing can pack a lot of character into a relatively short ageing period.
At 46.5%, you're getting this without chill filtration stripping out flavour compounds, which is exactly how I want to drink a bourbon at this price point. The higher strength gives the spirit room to open up with a splash of water if you want it, or stand up beautifully in a cocktail without getting lost behind your mixer.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes here — I'd rather you discover them yourself. What I will say is that at this ABV and with the craft production approach FEW takes, expect a bourbon that leans into its grain character. This isn't trying to be a Kentucky heavyweight. It has its own identity, and that's the point.
The Verdict
At £61.75, FEW Bourbon sits in a competitive bracket. You're paying a premium over the big Kentucky names, and you should know that going in. But what you're getting is a bourbon with genuine provenance and a higher bottling strength than most of its shelf neighbours. It's a whiskey made with intention, not just volume. I'm giving it a 7.8 out of 10 — it's a well-made, characterful bourbon that earns its price through quality rather than marketing. It's not going to convert someone who only drinks peated Scotch, but for bourbon drinkers who want something outside the usual suspects, this is a bottle worth your time and money.
Best Served
This is a bourbon that genuinely shines in an Old Fashioned. The 46.5% ABV means it won't collapse under the weight of your sugar and bitters — it'll push back, which is exactly what you want. Two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, a large rock of ice, and an orange peel expressed over the top. The grain-forward character of FEW works beautifully here, giving you a cocktail that tastes like a bourbon Old Fashioned should — spirit-led, balanced, and satisfying. If you prefer it neat, add five drops of water, let it sit for a minute, and take your time with it.
