Few Spirits Single Malt Whiskey 750ML

Few Spirits Single Malt Whiskey 750ML is a 46.5% ABV American single malt whiskey from Evanston, Illinois, made from a blend of cherrywood-smoked and unsmoked malted barley. Awarded 90 points by Whisky Advocate, this expression stands out as one of the more inventive craft single malts produced in the United States, offering a flavor profile that bridges Scottish tradition and Midwestern identity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  100% Malted Barley  |  Distillery: Few Spirits

Production & Heritage

Few Spirits operates out of Evanston, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago that was once a stronghold of the temperance movement and birthplace of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Founded by Paul Hletko, the distillery sources all grains from within 100 miles of Evanston, emphasizing a hyper-local approach to American whiskey. The single malt is built on a mashbill of 100% malted barley, splitting between unsmoked and cherrywood-smoked malt, then aged in Few's custom-made oak barrels previously used for their rye and bourbon programs, sourced from a cooperage in Minnesota. This dual-malt technique and proprietary barrel aging give the whiskey a signature layer of subtle smoke that reads differently from traditional peat.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla fudge and salted caramel ice cream before shifting into green apple and thyme honey. Warm baking spices rise as the whiskey breathes, hinting at the complexity beneath.

Taste: The entry is sweet and malt-forward, with red apple and toasted oak leading into a mid-palate of dried plum and treacle. As the palate acclimates, the cherrywood smoke begins to emerge — not as heavy peat, but as a dry, almost peppery astringency layered alongside sweet malt and Szechuan peppercorn spice.

Finish: Medium in length, finishing with spicy caramel, toasted oak, and a trailing note of dark chocolate. The cherrywood smoke fades last, leaving a clean, dry close.

How to Drink Few Single Malt

At 46.5% ABV, this whiskey rewards a neat pour at room temperature — a few drops of water open up the smoky-sweet interplay considerably. It also performs well in cocktails that benefit from subtle smoke and malt complexity:

• Rob Roy: The cherrywood smoke and dried fruit notes harmonize naturally with sweet vermouth.
• Penicillin: Few Single Malt fills the smoky Scotch role with an American twist, pairing well with honey-ginger syrup and lemon.
• Boulevardier: The malt sweetness and oak spice hold their own against Campari's bitterness without being overpowered.

Best For

• Scotch drinkers curious about American single malt whiskey
• Gifting to a craft spirits enthusiast who values local sourcing
• Building a tasting flight comparing smoked American and Scottish single malts
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Few Single Malt taste like? Few Single Malt delivers a sweet, malt-driven profile with red apple, toasted oak, and dried plum, underscored by a distinctive cherrywood smoke that adds dry spice rather than heavy peat.

How does Few Single Malt compare to The Balvenie DoubleWood 12? Both are approachable single malts with layered oak and fruit character, but Few leans into cherrywood smoke and a spicier, grain-forward American style, while The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 emphasizes honeyed sherry cask influence and carries a 12-year age statement. Few's younger age and different barrel program give it a bolder, less polished personality.

Is Few Single Malt good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46.5% ABV is robust enough to carry flavor without being hot, and a few drops of water help unlock the smoke and caramel layers.

Where is Few Single Malt made? Few Single Malt is distilled at Few Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. All grains used in production are sourced from farms within 100 miles of the distillery.

What foods pair well with Few Single Malt? Smoked salmon or trout complements the cherrywood smoke character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the toasted oak and caramel notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the finish. Apple tarts or pear galettes align with the fruit-forward palate. Charcuterie with peppery salami picks up on the Szechuan peppercorn spice.

What sizes does Few Single Malt come in? Few Spirits Single Malt Whiskey is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Few Single Malt worth the price? Few Single Malt positions as a mid-range craft whiskey — priced above mass-market blends but in line with other small-batch American single malts. Its 90-point Whisky Advocate rating and unique cherrywood-smoked production method offer genuine differentiation that justifies its place in the craft tier.

Why Few Single Malt?

The cherrywood-smoked malt technique is Few's most distinctive calling card — it introduces a smoke character fundamentally different from Islay peat or mesquite-smoked American experiments, landing somewhere between earthy and peppery. The commitment to sourcing all grain within 100 miles of the distillery is not marketing flair; it shapes the flavor, rooting the whiskey in Midwestern terroir. A 90-point score from Whisky Advocate confirms that the ambition translates into the glass. For anyone exploring the emerging American single malt category, Few's expression is one of the more original points of entry.