Few Spirits out of Evanston, Illinois, have built a reputation for doing things differently — and a collaboration with The Flaming Lips is about as "differently" as it gets. The Few Flaming Lips Brainville Rye is an American rye whiskey bottled at 40% ABV, and it sits at an interesting crossroads between craft whiskey and rock-and-roll collectibility. At £147, you're paying a premium that reflects the limited-edition collaboration as much as the liquid, so the question is: does the whisky inside the bottle justify the ask?
Let me be upfront — Few Spirits is a grain-to-glass operation, meaning they handle their own mashing, fermenting, and distilling on site. That matters. For a craft distillery working with rye, the choices made at every stage show up in the final product in ways that larger producers can mask with blending. This is a NAS release, so we don't have an age statement to lean on, but Few has consistently demonstrated that their rye program punches above what the age might suggest. American rye whiskey by law must be made from a mashbill of at least 51% rye grain, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and entered into new charred oak barrels at no more than 125 proof — and those legal requirements give you a baseline of spice and structure that's hard to hide from.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specifics here — I'd rather you come to this one with fresh expectations. What I will say is that rye whiskey at 40% ABV tends to be approachable and smooth, with the grain's natural pepperiness sitting in the mid-palate rather than dominating the experience. Few's house style leans into a balance between grain character and barrel influence, and at this proof point you can expect something that's easy-drinking without being thin. The craft distillery scale often means more character and less homogeneity, which I consider a strength.
The Verdict
I'm giving the Few Flaming Lips Brainville Rye an 8.3 out of 10. The liquid is genuinely well-made — this isn't a novelty bottle with forgettable whiskey inside, which is always the risk with celebrity collaborations. Few Spirits have earned their place in the American craft whiskey conversation, and this release reflects that quality. The 40% ABV makes it sessionable and cocktail-friendly without stripping out what makes rye interesting. Where I have to be honest is the price — £147 is steep for a NAS rye at standard proof, and a chunk of that cost is the collaboration premium and the collectibility factor. If you're a Flaming Lips fan and a rye drinker, this is a no-brainer. If you're purely chasing value per pound, there are ryes that deliver more intensity for less money. But taken on its own terms, the whisky is solid, characterful, and genuinely enjoyable to drink.
Best Served
This is a rye that belongs in a Manhattan. The 40% ABV means it won't bulldoze your vermouth, and rye's natural spice gives you that backbone a good Manhattan needs. Two ounces of the Brainville, one ounce of sweet vermouth — I'd reach for Carpano Antica if you have it — two dashes of Angostura, stirred over ice and strained into a coupe with a Luxardo cherry. The craft character of this rye will give your Manhattan a personality that sets it apart from the usual suspects. Equally, it's perfectly pleasant neat at room temperature if you want to sit with it and let it open up in the glass.
