FEW Spirits with Paul Hletko Show Notes
Notes and Reviews for Whiskey Ring Podcast Episode 198: FEW Spirits with Paul Hletko
OG vs OG in the Cradle of Prohibition
In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Paul Hletko, founder of FEW Spirits and an OG of the craft spirits movement in the US. When FEW started distilling, the first wave of craft distilleries was on the downslope but still very much alive. Oh, and did we mention - despite the rumors, FEW does not stand for Francis Elizabeth Willard, a founder of the Prohibition movement and the second leader of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. It’s simply that they don’t make much…just a FEW spirits, a FEW barrels.
That hasn’t stopped Paul from getting a lifetime ban from Willard’s house/museum, but there’s no convincing some people. For the record, he speaks of her achievements with admiration.
Over nearly a decade and a half, Paul has been present for the founding of the ACSA, was in the Binny’s back room where the ASMWC was created and initial rules for American single malt laid out, has served on the DISCUS board of advisors, and held many more mentorship and leadership roles throughout the industry.
FEW has remained a crew of a few, with just five people on staff currently. They’re distilling about 2 barrels a day. Their head distiller, Erin Lee, is a badass who came from fashion as a tea sommelier - through the STEPUP Internship, she worked at some of the best craft and legacy distilleries across the country, and that’s where Paul found her. Riley Henderson was hired as an assistant distiller and is now the Director of Operations. Along the way, he discovered the magic of koji and introduced it to FEW’s process for many of their products.
None of the staff are trained scientists, with Erin having perhaps the most hands-on experience of anyone Paul has hired over 14 years. In his words, he can teach people to make whiskey, he can’t teach them to have a good palate, good instincts, imagination, or a drive to create. Staying small has helped them make what they want. Bourbon and rye pay the bills, the rest is all fun and experimentation.
Paul is a self-professed hater of authority, but that’s not at odds with the recent changes at FEW. Following their acquisition by Heaven Hill in 2022, he’s been able to step back from the things he doesn’t enjoy (the administration, management, financials) and get back to what he does like: distilling, thinking, sharing ideas.
So there we have it - an OG of craft distilling where an OG of Prohibition began. The story is fantastic, the whiskies are always intriguing, and they’re far from done. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
PS - if you have their Cereal Killer whiskey or Earl Grey gin, hit me up!
Thank you to Paul for entering the Whiskey Ring!
FEW Spirits
