Few Spirits Standard Issue Gin 750ML

Few Spirits Standard Issue Gin 750ML is a navy strength American gin bottled at 57% ABV (114 proof) in a 750ml format, distilled grain-to-glass in Evanston, Illinois. Scored 88 points by Tastings.com, this bold expression stands out for its unapologetically juniper-forward profile and a bone-dry character that strips away the citrus brightness many contemporary gins lean on.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57% (114 proof)  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Navy Strength Gin  |  Distillery: Few Spirits

Production & Heritage

Few Spirits was founded by Paul Hletko in Evanston, Illinois — a city that, notably, was the birthplace of Prohibition-era temperance politics. The distillery takes a true grain-to-glass approach, building its base spirit from a mashbill of malted barley, corn, wheat, and rye rather than purchasing neutral grain spirit. Standard Issue Gin incorporates a botanical bill anchored by juniper and fennel, and Hletko grows some botanicals — including hops — in his own yard, a detail that underscores the hands-on ethos driving Few's production. The navy strength proof point of 57% ABV amplifies the botanical intensity and provides substantial weight rarely found in craft American gins.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Juniper arrives first and dominates, followed by a wave of fennel seed and anise. Behind those primary notes, subtle herbal tones emerge — faintly reminiscent of root beer — giving the nose an earthy, almost medicinal depth.

Taste: The palate opens with potent juniper that coats the tongue, then shifts into intense licorice and fennel-driven sweetness at mid-palate. Despite the 114-proof intensity, the spirit carries a surprising smoothness; bitterness registers more as a tactile sensation on the tongue than as a sharp flavor. The grain base lends a round, slightly cereal-like undertone that keeps the botanicals grounded. Notably, citrus is almost entirely absent — an unusual and deliberate omission.

Finish: Long and assertive, with licorice and dry juniper lingering well after the last sip. The high proof ensures the finish maintains presence without turning harsh, fading slowly into bitter herbal warmth.

How to Drink Standard Issue Gin

At 57% ABV, this gin rewards a small splash of water or a single large ice cube to open up the fennel and herbal layers without drowning them. Navy strength spirits were historically designed to hold their character when mixed, and Standard Issue excels in that role. A Navy Strength Gimlet benefits from the gin's bone-dry profile, letting lime juice provide the citrus the spirit intentionally omits. A Negroni built with Standard Issue gains serious backbone, the juniper intensity standing toe-to-toe with Campari's bitterness. A Martini made with this gin at a 3:1 ratio with dry vermouth produces a savory, licorice-tinged result unlike most versions of the classic.

Best For

• Gin enthusiasts who prefer traditional juniper-forward profiles over modern citrus-led styles
• Home bartenders building cocktails that demand a spirit capable of punching through mixers at high proof
• Gifting a craft spirits fan who values grain-to-glass production transparency
• Side-by-side tastings comparing American and British approaches to navy strength gin

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Standard Issue Gin taste like? Standard Issue Gin delivers intense juniper and licorice flavors with a pronounced fennel-driven anise character and a bone-dry finish that deliberately avoids citrus brightness. Subtle herbal and root beer-like undertones add complexity beneath the dominant botanical notes.

How does Standard Issue Gin compare to Plymouth Navy Strength? Plymouth Navy Strength is often considered the benchmark for the navy strength category, offering a softer, more balanced and slightly earthy profile, while Few's Standard Issue leans harder into bold juniper and anise with almost no citrus presence. Both are bottled at 57% ABV, but Standard Issue's grain-to-glass production from a four-grain mashbill gives it a distinctly American grain character Plymouth does not share.

Is Standard Issue Gin good for cocktails? At 114 proof, Standard Issue Gin was effectively built for cocktails — navy strength spirits historically existed precisely so they could maintain flavor integrity when diluted with mixers, juices, and ice. It excels in stirred classics like Martinis and Negronis where its dry, juniper-heavy character can lead.

Where is Standard Issue Gin made? Standard Issue Gin is distilled at Few Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb immediately north of Chicago. The distillery handles every step of production in-house, from mashing grain to bottling the finished spirit.

What foods pair well with Standard Issue Gin? Smoked salmon or gravlax complement the gin's herbal intensity. Fennel-crusted pork echoes its dominant anise note. Sharp aged cheeses like Manchego or Gruyère match its dry, savory character. Briny oysters provide a clean contrast to the juniper, and dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage pairs well with the licorice finish.

What sizes does Standard Issue Gin come in? Standard Issue Gin is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Standard Issue Gin worth the price? Standard Issue positions as a premium craft gin, and its grain-to-glass production from a proprietary four-grain mashbill justifies its place above mass-market navy strength options. For drinkers who value artisanal provenance and a bold, traditional flavor profile, it represents strong value within the craft gin tier.

Why Standard Issue Gin?

What separates Standard Issue from the crowded American gin landscape is Few Spirits' commitment to building the entire product from raw grain forward — malted barley, corn, wheat, and rye — rather than redistilling purchased neutral spirit. That four-grain foundation gives the gin a textural depth and cereal richness that botanical infusion alone cannot replicate. The deliberate absence of citrus makes it a polarizing but distinctive expression in a market flooded with lemon-and-coriander-forward New Western gins. For drinkers seeking a navy strength American gin with genuine craft credentials and an uncompromising juniper-and-anise identity, Standard Issue occupies a category largely its own.