Few Spirits 10th Anniversary Bourbon 750ML

FEW Spirits 10th Anniversary Bourbon 750ML is a limited-edition, six-year-aged, four-grain bourbon bottled at 46.5% ABV (93 proof) to celebrate a decade of distilling in Evanston, Illinois. With only 650 cases produced and aged exclusively in small Minnesota oak barrels, this release stands as one of the most distinctive craft bourbon bottlings from the American Midwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5%  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: FEW Spirits  |  Limited Edition: 650 Cases

Production & Heritage

FEW Spirits was founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko in Evanston, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago once famous as a stronghold of the American temperance movement and home of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The distillery's name nods to Frances Elizabeth Willard's initials, a defiant reclaiming of local history. This 10th Anniversary Bourbon uses a grain-to-glass approach with a four-grain mashbill of corn, rye, barley, and wheat, distilled on-site and aged for six years in 25-gallon barrels crafted from Minnesota oak. That Minnesota wood is significant: the state's shorter growing seasons produce tighter-grained oak, which increases surface-area contact relative to the liquid volume and imparts a more concentrated extraction of wood sugars, tannins, and vanillins compared to standard 53-gallon barrel aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with flat cola and warm sarsaparilla — earthy and inviting rather than sweet. Behind that initial impression come waves of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger spice that recall freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, hitting the palate with substantial weight for a 93-proof whiskey. Mid-palate reveals dark cherry fruit that drives toward a layered sweetness, balanced by the rye and wheat grains contributing peppery warmth and soft cereal depth. The four-grain mashbill keeps any single note from dominating, giving each sip a layered complexity.

Finish: Round and smooth, the finish tapers gradually into dry, soft tannins — a hallmark of the Minnesota oak influence. Lingering warmth of baking spice and a subtle dryness make it a contemplative closer that rewards patience.

How to Drink FEW 10th Anniversary

Neat is the preferred serve here, ideally in a Glencairn or tulip glass to concentrate those cola and baking-spice aromatics. A few drops of water open the mouthfeel further without diminishing proof significantly at 46.5% ABV. For cocktail applications: an Old Fashioned lets the dark cherry and snickerdoodle spice shine against a simple sugar-and-bitters backbone; a Boulevardier pairs the bourbon's earthy warmth with Campari's bitterness for a robust, wintery drink; and a Whiskey Sour benefits from the full mouthfeel and four-grain complexity, holding up well against citrus without losing character.

Best For

• Marking a personal milestone or anniversary with a commemorative pour
• Gifting a craft whiskey enthusiast who values limited-production American distilleries
• Adding a short-run, cellar-worthy bottle to a bourbon collection
• Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing craft four-grain bourbons against traditional two- or three-grain mashbills

Frequently Asked Questions

What does FEW 10th Anniversary taste like? This bourbon leads with rich dark cherry fruit and a distinctive flat-cola earthiness, layered with vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger reminiscent of snickerdoodle cookies. It finishes smooth with dry, soft tannins from Minnesota oak aging.

How does FEW 10th Anniversary compare to standard FEW Bourbon? The standard FEW Bourbon is a younger expression aged in the same small-barrel format, while the 10th Anniversary benefits from a full six years of maturation, resulting in deeper wood influence, richer mouthfeel, and more concentrated flavor extraction from the Minnesota oak. The Whiskey Wash awarded the standard FEW Bourbon 89 points, positioning the Anniversary edition as a step above within the distillery's own lineup.

Is FEW 10th Anniversary good for sipping neat? At 46.5% ABV, it sits in an ideal range for neat sipping — flavorful enough to reward undiluted attention without excessive heat, and the six-year age statement provides the maturity to back up the proof.

Where is FEW 10th Anniversary made? FEW Spirits distills, ages, and bottles this bourbon at their facility in Evanston, Illinois, just outside Chicago. The distillery was founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko in a city historically linked to the American temperance movement.

What foods pair well with FEW 10th Anniversary? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry fruit and tannin structure. Smoked brisket plays off the earthy cola notes. Pecan pie echoes the vanilla and baking spice. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness with savory depth. Cinnamon-dusted churros mirror the snickerdoodle character on the nose.

What sizes does FEW 10th Anniversary come in? This limited release was produced in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is FEW 10th Anniversary worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon within the limited-release tier, justified by its six-year age statement, small-barrel Minnesota oak program, grain-to-glass production, and scarcity of only 650 cases. For collectors and fans of American craft distilling, the production details and low availability support its value proposition.

Why FEW 10th Anniversary?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded craft whiskey field is specificity of process. The 25-gallon Minnesota oak barrels create a maturation profile that simply cannot be replicated in standard cooperage — tighter wood grain means different tannin and sugar extraction curves over six years. The four-grain mashbill adds another layer of distinction, with wheat softening and rye sharpening in tandem against the corn backbone. At 650 cases, this is a genuine limited release rather than a marketing exercise, and the grain-to-glass commitment at FEW Spirits means every step from milling to bottling happened under one roof in Evanston. For anyone serious about understanding what Midwestern craft bourbon can achieve with time and intention, this bottle makes a compelling case.