F.E.W American Gin: How do you like those apples, Prohibition!
- Mar 29, 2015
- 4 min read
This week we’ve swam the ferocious waters of the atlantic (metaphorically speaking of course, we are pretty poor swimmers!) to bring you an American gin that packs one robust, muscular yankee attitude. And that gin, my fellow enthusiasts, is F.E.W American Gin. A determined spirit, a hardy character, this gin is cool. Seriously cool. So cool that drinking it makes you feel like you’ve just been given the keys to Knight Rider’s Kitt for the weekend. Yeah, it’s that freaking cool! But that’s just the tip of the bloody iceberg, the guys at F.E.W have got so much more up that Illinoisan sleeve of theirs. So let’s delve deeper.
Standing tall upon the freedom soaked soil of the USA, F.E.W offers one damn fine American gin and a stand out alternative for all you bourbon and whiskey swillers wanting to bridge the gap. Made using corn, wheat and non-malted barley white whiskey (un-aged bourbon) instead of the more conventional neutral spirits, F.E.W delivers one hell of a tasty gin. But this gin defies history. Serious history. Hailing from Evanston, Illinois, home of Francis Elizabeth Willard (take a peak at those initials...), suffragette and prohibitionist behind the Temperance movement, F.E.W rose like a phoenix from the ashes and became the first legal distillery to open in Evanston since prohibition cast it’s villainous shadow over the well liquored land.
So, what’s it like on the senses? Well, this revolutionary gin is certainly a curious one and there is no mistaking it’s not made from a neutral spirit base. You get lots of those wonderful corn and grain tinges in the aroma alongside a vibrantly zesty hit of lemon, like someones just thrown a giant one in your face, only without the pain! Juniper comes through but it takes a while, and maybe a slight backseat, like that socially anxious friend you always get at a house party, it’s there but it doesn’t really want you to know about it. However it certainly adds some balance to the corns edge along with the sweet, sweet hit of vanilla you get too.
And that brings us on to the fun part. What does it taste like? Well, pretty damn hot to be honest. With corn and grain so prominent on the nose, it’s not surprising they pokes their heads through first on your tongue. But lemon is definitely at the forefront too. It adds a great freshness. Imagine blending a whole lemon meringue pie, throwing in a dash of bourbon, then knocking it back; in a shortened context it’s pretty much that in essence but more alcoholic! Those wonderful sweet tones from the Tahitian vanilla mould well with the lemon and orange peel, and the dominance from the corn base gives it a great sweet but weighty smoothness. Juniper strolls in finally to remind us that this is still a gin but doesn’t hang around for long (it must have elsewhere to be), but the cassia gives it that well needed slice of warmth whilst the grains of paradise add that peppery hit that balances out this gin really well.
You could argue that this gin needs a more vibrant burst of juniper to really give it that gin-ness, but then we’re reminded that it’s American and Americans don’t like playing by our rules, do they? But that aside, what we love so much about it IS the dominance from the corn base. This is what makes this gin so different, so individual, so distinctive. It’s like having our two favourite spirits (bourbon and gin) in one, but delivered in a stand out fashion. So kudos to you guys at F.E.W, job well done!
So if you’re used to knocking back a few whiskies but looking to extend your collection, then this gin is definitely one to have on your to drink list. For gin lovers this is just one great, no holds bar gin that offers one uniquely different tasting experiences. Either way, it’s one to exuberantly relish.
Want to know how to drink this gin? Well, Head Bartender of Reunion Bar London, David Coveney, has recommended some kiss ass serves, so get shaking!
I truly love the entire F.E.W range. Their American gin, though, has always been my favourite. It's so different to other gins that I have always loved to 'twist' classic gin cocktails with it.
First Lady
The first being an aromatic twist on a White Lady with the added extra of a touch of cardamom.
Ingredients
50ml F.E.W American Gin
30ml Lemon Juice
20ml Cardamom infused gomme
1 Egg white
Method: Dry shake with a strainer coil, shake well with ice and then dry shake again. Serve in a coupe glass and garnish with some drops of aromatic bitters and a twist of lemon.
Martinez
A Martinez is one of my favourite cocktails and the heavy, malty character of F.E.W lends itself well to a good sweet vermouth and the lovely cherry flavours. The added sour cherry bitters helps to really bring out the botanicals hidden inside this great gin.
Inregients
50ml F.E.W American Gin
20ml Antica Formula
10ml Maraschino Liqueur
3 drops of sour cherry bitters
3 drops of Bokers Bitters
Method: Stir all ingredients well and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a cherry.
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