Few Spirits Chicago Smokeworks Whiskey 750ML

Few Spirits Chicago Smokeworks Whiskey 750ML is a cherrywood-smoked American malt whiskey bottled at 46.5% ABV (93 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Tastings.com, this expression stands apart from conventional smoked whiskeys by using cherrywood — rather than peat or mesquite — to smoke its malted barley, producing a distinctly Midwestern take on smoky malt whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5%  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Smoked Malt Whiskey  |  Distillery: Few Spirits

Production & Heritage

Few Spirits was founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko in Evanston, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago that was famously dry until 1972, largely due to the influence of temperance leader Frances Elizabeth Willard, whose initials inspired the distillery's name. The Chicago Smokeworks expression is built on a mashbill of cherrywood-smoked malted barley and rye, a combination that yields a sweeter, fruitier smoke profile than what peat or charcoal methods typically deliver. The whiskey is distilled on-site at the Evanston facility and matured in charred American oak barrels before bottling at a robust 93 proof without chill filtration.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark molasses and honey graham cracker arrive first, followed by cherry jam and a thread of campfire smoke. Vanilla anchors the nose, rounding out a bouquet that reads more bakery than bonfire.

Taste: The entry is cereal-grain forward with immediate caramel-apple sweetness that builds through the mid-palate. Baking spice — cinnamon, clove — emerges as the smoke unfolds, mellow but layered, threading through charred oak and toasted grain. The 46.5% ABV provides enough weight to carry every flavor without burning.

Finish: Smooth and moderately long, with gentle cherrywood smoke trailing behind brighter caramel and spice notes. A faint sweetness of vanilla lingers as the warmth slowly fades.

How to Drink Smokeworks

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point — the water opens up the cherrywood smoke without diluting the grain character. At 93 proof, it also holds its own over a single large ice cube. For cocktails, try it in a Smoky Old Fashioned, where the cherrywood smoke replaces the need for a mezcal rinse. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the caramel-apple sweetness, which pairs naturally with citrus. In a Boulevardier, the smoke and baking spice create a compelling counterpoint to Campari's bitterness.

Best For

• Scotch drinkers exploring American alternatives to peated single malts
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values small-batch craft distilling
• Building a home bar's smoked spirits section alongside mezcal and Islay Scotch
• Hosting a comparative tasting of smoke-forward whiskeys from different regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Smokeworks taste like? Chicago Smokeworks delivers a mellow, sweet smoke profile built on cherrywood-smoked barley, with prominent caramel apple, baking spice, and toasted grain notes throughout. The smoke is present but never overwhelming, balanced by vanilla and charred oak.

How does Smokeworks compare to Balcones Brimstone? Both are American craft smoked whiskeys, but they use different smoking methods — Smokeworks smokes its malted barley with cherrywood before distillation, while Balcones Brimstone smokes its Texas corn whisky with scrub oak after distillation. The result is a fruitier, more baking-spice-driven profile for Smokeworks versus Brimstone's more intensely woody, barbecue-forward character.

Is Smokeworks good for sipping neat? Yes — bottled at 46.5% ABV, it has enough proof to deliver full flavor without excessive heat, and the cherrywood smoke unfolds gradually, making it well-suited to slow, contemplative sipping.

Where is Smokeworks made? Chicago Smokeworks is distilled and bottled at Few Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, a city on the northern border of Chicago. The distillery has been producing spirits at this location since its founding in 2011.

What foods pair well with Smokeworks? Smoked brisket or pulled pork mirrors the cherrywood smoke. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the vanilla and molasses notes. Grilled stone fruit, especially peaches or cherries, echoes the fruit-forward smoke. Candied pecans complement the baking spice and toasted grain.

What sizes does Smokeworks come in? Chicago Smokeworks Whiskey is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Smokeworks worth the price? Chicago Smokeworks positions as a premium craft whiskey, sitting above mass-market blends but within reach of most enthusiasts exploring artisan American distilling. Its 94-point rating from Tastings.com and distinctive cherrywood-smoking technique provide strong value for a small-batch product at this tier.

Why Smokeworks?

The cherrywood-smoking process is the defining move here — it produces a smoke character that tastes nothing like peat, mesquite, or charcoal, giving the whiskey an identity entirely its own within the American malt category. The 94-point score from Tastings.com validates what the mashbill of smoked barley and rye promises: genuine complexity without gimmickry. Few Spirits' location in Evanston adds a layer of irony and history that whiskey collectors appreciate, and the 46.5% ABV strikes a practical balance between sipping strength and cocktail versatility. For anyone building a collection of smoke-driven spirits, this is a bottle that fills a gap no Scotch or mezcal can.