FEW Motor Oil is a limited-edition whiskey blend from FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, created with the rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and bottled at a very rock-and-roll 101 proof (50.5% ABV).
Part of FEW's Icons of Rock Collection, it came about because FEW founder and master distiller Paul Hletko is a devoted fan of the band. The blend brings together three components: bourbon finished in rum barrels, bourbon finished in vermouth barrels, and a mesquite-smoked wheat whiskey. This triple-component approach layers sweetness, herbal bitterness and smoke into a single cohesive pour.
The whiskey shows a mix of grassy and sweet notes with a mesquite smoke finish that evokes winding back roads, long stretches of highway and pit stops at roadside barbecue joints in West Texas. The nose opens with dark caramel and cinnamon, followed by charred oak and apricot.
The skull-and-pistons label, styled like a motor oil emblem, makes it a must for fans of the band.
FEW Spirits is known for grain-to-glass production in Evanston, and it has a habit of collaborating with musicians.
The rum-barrel bourbon brings sweetness, the vermouth-barrel bourbon brings herbal bitterness, and the mesquite-smoked wheat whiskey brings the smoke.
At 101 proof, it has plenty of power, and a splash of water or a big cube tames the heat while opening up the fruit.
Fans of the band will recognize the leather-jacket attitude on the label, while whiskey drinkers will appreciate the unusual blend.
It makes a smoky, savory Old Fashioned, especially with an orange peel and a dash of aromatic bitters.
As a limited release, it is a collectible bottle for both music and whiskey shelves.
Tasting Notes
-
Nose: Dark caramel, cinnamon, charred oak, apricot.
-
Palate: Grassy and sweet.
-
Finish: Mesquite smoke.
Specifications
-
Distillery: FEW Spirits, Evanston, Illinois
-
Collaboration: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
-
Blend: Rum-finished bourbon, vermouth-finished bourbon, mesquite-smoked wheat whiskey
-
Proof / ABV: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
-
Region: Illinois, USA
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat, with a few drops of water or over a big cube. It pairs with brisket, smoked ribs or a barbecue platter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is it made with?
The rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
What is in the blend?
Rum- and vermouth-finished bourbons and a mesquite-smoked wheat whiskey.
What is the proof?
101 proof (50.5% ABV).
Explore more in our American Whiskey collection.
