Few Smashing Pumpkins Whiskey

This special whiskey is a collaboration between Chicago's FEW spirits and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, who along with wife Chloe Mendel, owns and operates Madame Zuzu's Teashop in nearby Highland Park. Having previously experimented with proofing down their whiskey with tea with their "Immortal Rye" bottling, FEW found a perfect partner to continue the experimenting with in Corgan and Mendel. The whiskey starts with a straight bourbon that’s aged for four years, that’s then cut to bottling strength using “Midnight Rose” black tea from Madame Zuzu's. The finished product offers familiar bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel, balanced by hints of rose water, sandalwood and the black tea. Perhaps inspired by The Smashing Pumpkin’s diamond-selling Mellon Collie album, the tasting notes say to expect “bright aromas” of “ripe honeydew melon” as well.