FEW Straight Rye

Few Rye Whiskey 46.5%   This was the third sample in a Flaviar kit and it was the one that was the most impressive.  I really enjoy Rye whiskies and have been spoiled a bit with some very good local (mid-atlantic) 100% Rye offerings from Catoctin Creek. I also enjoy some of the MGP Rye whiskies that provide 95% Eye. Often times the minimum 51% Rye required to make it “Rye” whiskey falls short of what I want in a Rye. Sometimes the label tells me what I am buying but most times not.  I slowly became more demanding of Rye whiskies and found that my Rye purchases were more and more limited.  I had always been intrigued by FEW and I had read many good reviews but I just couldn’t justify a $60+ price tag on something I couldn’t sample...Until now.  On to the FEW Rye Review   The Smell on this is aggressive and full of green fresh dill rye spice.  Just a huge blast of fresh dill rye spice.  Caramel, Citrus Peel and Grass   The Taste is surprisingly soft -  caramel, corn sweetness and vanilla at first then a nice blast of fresh earthy dill/rye spice.  Lots of good flavor and spice   The finish is long with some good dusty fading dill spice and vanilla finishing it out.   This is a real nice whisky and worth the price of admission.  Even at $60+ it’s worth picking up if you are a Rye fan.     Overall Score: A

A balanced, Rye Whiskey by FEW Spirits Distillery in Evanston, Illinois founded by Paul Hletko It is made with 70% Rye, 20% corn & malted Barley, fermented with wine yeast from the Loire Valley, aged in air dried oak barrels. It has an aromatic birth with notes of rye, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, wood., hints of butterscotch, citrus zest & pepper; while a rich life adds notes of buttery rye, raw grains, fruits, honey, citrus, baking spices & a hint of wood; that led to a long & balanced death with notes of pepper. April / September 2019 / April 2020 / November 2021 / August 2022

Flaviar taster. First foray into rye so this may change over time. Nose of wood or what might be rye without knowing well, maybe citrus. Taste is smooth and warm, caramel, again, probably rye forward. Finish definitely moves more into rye with mild spice and burn. Some citrus notes in the background. Average overall, not sure where it sits on the rye scale but I would try more ryes.

This was very different. Sweet caramel on the nose, but on the palate the oak hits hard and lingers with a mild burn. Perhaps a bit of caramel/brown sugar and baking spices. Certainly not as sweet as most I’ve had lately. More herbal with a dry finish. Interesting enough that I might grab a bottle to mix it up. Got this as a sample through Flaviar.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Cinnamon and honey Palate: An interesting blend of spicy and sweet, continuing the notes from thw nose. Finish: Long with medium heat. Splash: A bit of nutty flavor ia revealed. Overall 7.5/10 - A nice blend of sweet and spicy. Can't wait to try it in a manhattan.

NOSE 3.0 Caramel, orange zest, butterscotch, woody but not oaky. Slight pepper PALATE 2.5 Pepper, orange, caramel, hint of green apple with Cinnamon on top FINISH 3 Long, oily Orange citrus, black pepper, apple VALUE 3.5 Reminds me of willet rye. But at about half the cost.