Koval Whiskey

Koval is the first craft distillery within Chicago's city limits since Prohibition, founded by a couple who abandoned academic careers to bring an Austrian grandfather's distilling traditions to America. The name means "blacksmith" in Yiddish, but also refers to someone who insists on doing things their own, unexpected way.

Koval Four Grain Single Barrel Whiskey Chicago 47%

Item no.: 22227865410-30

Four grains from a single farm meet Koval's heart-cut-only philosophy.
Expert description
Koval Four Grain Single Barrel Whiskey is made from a mash bill with four different grains from a single farm and bottled from one single barrel, bottled at 47%. Koval was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Robert and Sonat Birnecker and was the first distillery to open in Chicago since Prohibition. The distillery uses exclusively single-estate organic grains and a principle of using only the 'heart' of the distillate — the cleanest and most flavourful part — giving a rawer, more grain-forward character than many other American whiskeys.
Tasting notes
Nose
The nose is grainy with honey, grain and a hint of spice.
Palate
The palate offers rye bread, caramel and light sweetness.
Finish
The finish is medium-length, clean and grainy.
Specifications
Name: Koval Four Grain Single Barrel Whiskey
Distillery: Koval Distillery
Region/Country: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Type: Whiskey
ABV: 47%
Size: 70 CL
Flavour profile
Grainy · Clean · Honeyed · Rustic
See our full range of Koval
1pcs.
60,25EUR
Koval Grain Spirit Rye 40%

Item no.: 22227865410-33

Rye in its pure, unaged form from Chicago's first distillery since Prohibition.
Expert description
Koval Grain Spirit Rye is an unaged rye spirit showcasing the raw material's character without the influence of cask maturation, bottled at 40%. Koval was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Robert and Sonat Birnecker and was the first distillery to open in Chicago since Prohibition. The distillery uses exclusively single-estate organic grains and a principle of using only the 'heart' of the distillate — the cleanest and most flavourful part — giving a rawer, more grain-forward character than many other American whiskeys.
Tasting notes
Nose
The nose is clean and grainy with a hint of pepper and grain.
Palate
The palate offers rye, grain and a light, dry sweetness.
Finish
The finish is short to medium, clean and peppery.
Specifications
Name: Koval Grain Spirit Rye
Distillery: Koval Distillery
Region/Country: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Type: Grain Spirit
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Flavour profile
Grainy · Clean · Peppery · Rustic
See our full range of Koval
1pcs.
60,25EUR

About Koval

Koval was established in 2008 by Robert and Sonat Birnecker as the first craft distillery within Chicago's city limits since Prohibition, built on a concept of 100% organic grain and full control over the entire process from mashing to bottling. The distillery is known for its single-grain white whiskies of rye, oat, wheat, millet and spelt, as well as the aged Lion's Pride series, all without artificial colouring or chill-filtration, which has earned Koval numerous international awards and a place among Whisky Magazine's 100 best distilleries to visit in the world. Collectors take an interest in the rare single-grain releases, while newcomers meet one of the most unconventional entries into American whiskey.

History & Background

Robert and Sonat Birnecker both gave up academic careers in Washington DC to move to Chicago and build a family business from scratch, driven by a wish to bring Robert's Austrian grandfather's old distilling traditions to America. The name Koval was chosen as a tribute to both their families: it's Yiddish for "blacksmith", but was also the nickname Sonat's great-grandfather received when he emigrated from Vienna to Chicago at age 17, while Robert's grandfather's surname Schmid means the same thing in German. The couple distils on a custom-built pot still from German firm Kothe and has since 2008 built Koval into one of America's most respected and award-winning craft distilleries, known for its strict focus on organic ingredients.

History & Background

Robert Birnecker had a background in his family's Austrian distilling tradition, while Sonat came from academia, and together they decided to revive whisky production in a city where it hadn't existed for almost a century. Koval produces a wide range of grains, including wheat, rye and millet, making the portfolio unusually varied compared with traditional bourbon.

Production & Style

The distillery distils only once, preserving more of the grain's natural character, and matures in smaller casks than the norm, giving faster cask contact.

Signature Style

Grain-Pure, Herbal, Fresh
The grain's pure character shines clearly through, often with a hint of herbs and a light sweetness – a different, craft-driven style compared with the Kentucky norm.

Facts

Distillery	Koval
Founded	2008
Pronounced	Ko-val
Region	Chicago, Illinois
Country	USA
Owner	The Birnecker family
Official website	koval-distillery.com

Did You Know?

Koval was the first distillery in Chicago since the start of Prohibition in 1920, making it a symbol of the city's rediscovered distilling culture.

Like Koval? You should also try:

High West, WhistlePig and Willett.

Koval Whiskey

Expert description

Tasting notes

Nose

Palate

Finish

Specifications

Flavour profile

Expert description

Tasting notes

Nose

Palate

Finish

Specifications

Flavour profile

About Koval

History & Background

History & Background

Production & Style

Signature Style

Facts

Did You Know?

Like Koval? You should also try: