Rye Whisky, USA/Illinois

Limited edition of 330 bottles.
An LMDW exclusive.

FEW is located in Evanston, in the suburbs of Chicago (Illinois) and was founded in 2008 by Paul Hletko. The name of this craft distillery bears the initials of Frances Elizabeth Willard, the leader of the Temperance movement that defended the values of Prohibition. FEW also refers to the distillery’s low production capacity. This version was matured for three years in a new oak cask and finished for four years in a sauternes cask, revealing concentrated flavors and aromas whose generosity are equaled only by their nobility. At once extroverted and yet wonderfully classic, it is also characterized by deeply rich notes of rye and happily ventures out beyond its natural frontiers.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Old gold supported.

Nose: smooth, deep. Opening with rancio (brandied cherries, roasted mango) and heady notes (tuberose, gillyflower), the nose then develops very elegant aromas of blood orange, wild strawberry, apricot jam and apple tart.

Palate: distinguished, well-balanced. Carrying on from the nose, the palate adds rich rye bread flavors. Revealing chocolate and roasted notes, the mid-palate is especially slender. Over time, dried fruits (date, fig) are wonderfully paired with carrot cake notes.

Overall: long, silky. The empyreumatic finish (apricot stone) reveals spices (candied ginger, cumin), honey (pine tree) and chocolate, while also taking on a lovely balsamic character (thuja, cough sweets). The slightly tannic after-taste reveals roots (gentian) and camphor.