Few Spirits whiskey distillery

Located in Evanston, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), FEW Spirits is a grain-to-glass whiskey and gin distillery founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko. The name “FEW” has multiple inspirations: one is the fact that the company started with small-batch production (“we didn’t make a lot”). Another is a nod to the initials of Frances Elizabeth Willard (F.E.W.), a prominent temperance and suffrage leader based in Evanston, though the founders state the coincidence was unintentional. Set in a city historically dry and central to the temperance movement, FEW Spirits embraces that heritage while producing bold, modern American whiskey styles.

House Style

FEW’s whiskeys are crafted from locally sourced grains, mashed, distilled, aged and bottled on-site (“grain-to-glass”). The style is bold, urban-whiskey driven: high corn and rye content, American oak maturation, and a nod to the golden age of pre-Prohibition whiskey. While precise flavour profiles vary by release, common notes include caramel, vanilla, spice, and rye-driven character with craft finesse.

Production

• Founding & Site: The distillery began in 2011 in Evanston, Illinois.
• Grain to Glass: FEW handles the full process on-site including mash, ferment, distill, age and bottle.
• Maturing & Finishing: American oak barrels for maturation, craft finishing in select releases.
• Scale & Capacity: Small batch craft operations; initial production was limited and intentional in scale.
• Visitation & Community: Located at 918 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60202.

Visitor Centre

The distillery offers tours and tastings, and is located in a former alley/chop-shop setting, reflecting its urban craft heritage.

FEW Spirits factsheet