In an exciting collaboration that fuses the worlds of music and spirits, Chicago-based distillery FEW Spirits has partnered with the iconic 1990s rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins, to release a distinctive bourbon. Dubbed "FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon," this unique spirit is a testament to the creative synergy between the band and the award-winning distillery.
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A Rock 'n' Roll Bourbon
FEW Spirits, known for its innovative approach to whiskey-making, has a history of musical collaborations, including projects with bands like Alice in Chains and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This time, they've teamed up with The Smashing Pumpkins, a band celebrated for its influential sound and deep Chicago roots.
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Master distiller Paul Hletko, a Chicago native himself, found inspiration in the raw, primal energy of The Smashing Pumpkins’ music. He aimed to capture the band’s dynamic and symphonic qualities in the bourbon. Hletko described how songs like "I Am One" from the band's debut album, "Gish," influenced the spirit's creation. The track's powerful drums, bassline groove, and crunching guitars served as a blueprint for crafting a bourbon that mirrors this intensity and complexity.
Midnight Rose Black Tea: A Unique Twist
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What sets FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon apart is the unconventional method used to cut the spirit to its final 93-proof strength. Instead of using water, FEW Spirits used Midnight Rose black tea from Madame Zuzu’s Emporium, a tea shop owned by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and his wife, Chloé Mendel Corgan. This innovative step infuses the bourbon with subtle tea notes, adding layers of flavor and a nod to Corgan’s personal venture.
Flavor Profile
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The bourbon boasts a complex flavor profile that fans of both bourbon and the band are sure to appreciate. Tasting notes reveal an aromatic blend of rose water and honeydew melon on the nose, with flavors of sandalwood, vanilla, caramel, and the distinctive black tea on the palate. This combination creates a bold, spicy, yet sweet taste that reflects the essence of The Smashing Pumpkins’ music.
Artistic Collaboration
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The collaboration extends beyond just the liquid in the bottle. Chicago visual artist Katelan Foisy, who has previously worked on stage backdrops for the band and designs for Madame Zuzu’s, crafted the bourbon’s label. The design captures the rock-inspired essence of the band, featuring a lyric from their hit song “Tonight, Tonight” on the back label: “time is never time at all.”
Availability and Price
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FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon is now available for purchase, just in time for the band’s new single release and their North American tour with Rancid and Green Day. Priced at around $50, this bourbon is a must-have for fans gearing up to see Billy Corgan and company on stage this summer. It’s available for order on the FEW Spirits website and will roll out nationwide over the coming weeks.
The Perfect Addition to Your Bar
Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast, a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, or both, this limited-edition release is a perfect addition to your collection. Cue up "Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," pour yourself a glass of FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon, and toast to a collaboration that hits all the right notes.
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About FEW Spirits
FEW Spirits is a craft distillery located in Evanston, Illinois, renowned for its innovative approach to whiskey and other spirits. Founded in 2011 by Paul Hletko, FEW Spirits was the first distillery to legally operate in Evanston, a city historically known for its stringent stance on alcohol due to its ties to the temperance movement. The name "FEW" is a playful nod to Frances Elizabeth Willard, a key figure in the temperance movement and a prominent resident of Evanston.
FEW Spirits stands out for its dedication to high-quality, small-batch production. The distillery sources local grains and uses traditional methods to create a range of spirits, including bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin. Each product reflects a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to innovation, blending classic techniques with modern flair.
One of FEW's flagship products is its FEW Bourbon, a unique expression that deviates from the standard Kentucky style. This bourbon features a high corn content but incorporates malted barley and a significant amount of rye, giving it a distinctive spicy and sweet flavor profile. The bourbon is aged in smaller barrels to accelerate the maturation process, resulting in a robust and complex spirit with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice.
FEW Rye Whiskey is another standout, known for its bold and peppery character. The rye whiskey showcases the distillery's ability to produce a spirit that is both intense and balanced, with flavors of cinnamon, clove, and dark fruit. This rye has garnered acclaim for its quality and distinctiveness, earning a place among the notable rye whiskies in the market.
In addition to whiskey, FEW Spirits produces a variety of gins, including FEW American Gin and FEW Barrel-Aged Gin. These gins are crafted with a unique blend of botanicals and reflect the distillery's innovative spirit. The barrel-aged gin, in particular, combines the botanical complexity of gin with the rich, oaky characteristics imparted by aging in whiskey barrels, creating a one-of-a-kind flavor experience.
FEW Spirits has gained recognition and numerous awards for its products, solidifying its reputation as a leading craft distillery. The distillery offers tours and tastings, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the craftsmanship and passion that go into each bottle. By combining traditional distilling methods with creative experimentation, FEW Spirits continues to push the boundaries of what craft distilling can achieve, making it a notable player in the American spirits industry.