Few brand names carry as much deliberate irony as FEW Spirits: the acronym stands for Frances Elizabeth Willard, one of the most influential leaders of the American temperance movement, who headed the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1879 until her death in 1898. Of all places, it was in Willard's hometown of Evanston, Illinois - considered a "dry" community because of her legacy until 1972, and which only permitted retail alcohol sales in 1984 - that former attorney Paul Hletko founded his grain-to-glass distillery in 2011. Only after a year of intensive legal work did he manage to change the restrictive local laws on craft distilling, zoning and food requirements - paving the way for craft-distilled whiskey in a city once considered the heart of American Prohibition.

Why is the name "FEW" a deliberate provocation?

It refers to Frances Elizabeth Willard, the influential leader of the American temperance movement - an ironic tribute to founding a whiskey distillery of all places in her once alcohol-free hometown of Evanston.

Why did founder Paul Hletko first have to change the law?

Because of its historic founding charter and Willard's legacy, Evanston remained entirely "dry" until 1972 and only permitted retail alcohol sales in 1984 - as a former attorney, Hletko spent a year working on legal changes before production could start in 2011.

Flavour profile

Taste: Bold and grain-forward with caramel, vanilla and a spiced rye note, a typical American craft whiskey style.

Recommended enjoyment: Neat, or as the base for classic American whiskey cocktails.

Facts and figures

Founded 2011 in Evanston, Illinois, by Paul Hletko. Brand name an acronym for Frances Elizabeth Willard (temperance movement, WCTU president 1879-1898). Evanston dry until 1972, retail alcohol sales permitted only from 1984.