FEW Spirits out of Evanston, Illinois, have built a reputation for doing things their own way, and the FEW Rye American Rye Spirit Drink is a perfect example of that independent streak. Now, I should address the elephant in the room straight away — this is labelled as a 'Rye Spirit Drink' rather than a straight rye whiskey, which tells us FEW have taken some liberties with the production process that fall outside the strict legal definitions of American rye whiskey. That could mean flavouring additions, a different barrel treatment, or a unique finishing process. Whatever they've done, they've done it deliberately, and the result is something genuinely interesting to pour.
At 46.5% ABV, this sits at a very drinkable strength — enough to carry flavour without burning through your palate. I always appreciate when a producer bottles above the 40% minimum. It shows confidence in what's in the bottle and gives you something with real texture and body. For a rye-based spirit at this proof, you can expect that characteristic peppery backbone that rye grain delivers, but the 'spirit drink' classification hints at something softer or more experimental layered on top.
What to Expect
Without confirmed distillery details or an age statement, we're judging this bottle on what FEW have chosen to put forward — and the fact that they've bottled it at 46.5% rather than watering it down to 40% tells me they want you to taste the grain character. Rye as a base grain brings spice, a dry quality, and often a herbal, almost botanical edge that sets it apart from corn-heavy bourbons. The 'spirit drink' designation is common in the European market for American products that don't meet EU definitions of whiskey — sometimes it's simply a labelling technicality, other times it signals genuine innovation in the process. Either way, FEW have a track record of producing flavourful, well-constructed spirits, and this release fits that pattern.
The price point of £64.25 puts it in competitive territory. You're paying a premium over standard rye whiskeys, but you're getting a craft product at a solid bottling strength from a distillery that actually distils on site — no sourced stock relabelled with a fancy story. That matters to me.
The Verdict
I'm giving the FEW Rye American Rye Spirit Drink a 7.7 out of 10. It's a genuinely enjoyable pour that rewards curiosity. The higher bottling strength delivers real substance, and while the 'spirit drink' label might raise eyebrows among purists, I'd argue that's part of what makes it worth trying. FEW aren't chasing tradition for tradition's sake — they're making spirits that taste good and happen to be built on a rye foundation. At this price, it's a solid buy for anyone who enjoys rye's spicy character and wants something slightly left of centre. It won't replace your daily sipper, but it absolutely earns a spot on the shelf for those evenings when you want something different.
Best Served
This is a natural fit for a Rye Old Fashioned. The 46.5% ABV means it'll stand up to dilution from the ice and still punch through the sweetness of your sugar or syrup. Keep it simple — two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, a large ice cube, and an orange twist expressed over the top. The rye spice will do the heavy lifting. If you're drinking it neat, give it five minutes in the glass to open up at this proof. A few drops of water won't hurt it either.
