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Koval is the first small batch distillery in Chicago since the dark days of the prohibition era, and one of the leading craft distilleries in the US. It was founded in 2008 by Robert and Sonat Birnecker who abandoned their academic careers to follow their hearts. Growing up, Robert lived near Salzburg, Austria, and was immersed in a culture of small-batch distilling, so perhaps this is destiny. For those of us who love great Spirits, it is just good luck for us!

The distillery supports sustainable agriculture and is certified as both organic and kosher—there’ll be no outsourcing for these kids. In eight short years they have expanded their miracle-working to … geez, just about everything from Gin, to Whiskey, to Liqueurs, and a bunch of other fiddly things, all of them professionally crafted and tasty-good. In fact, they are rated as one of the top ten small-batch distilleries in the US.

Koval Four Grain is made of oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat. heavy-charred American Minnesota Oak White oak. A type of wood with a tighter grain pattern yielding a smooth Whiskey with a unique and distinct banana essence. Coupled with that smoothness and spice, it’s sort of like drinking a Bananas Foster made with Rye Whiskey.

Koval is produced from 100% organic rye sourced from a local organic farmer collective in the Midwest. Aged from 18-24 months in 30-gallon, new charred oak barrels, this single-grain Whiskey is not only pure rye, it's surprisingly light and fresh on the tongue. Rather than a kick, there's just a kiss of spice on the finish.

Koval Bourbon starts with corn and then finishes off the mash bill with millet and the result is unlike any other we’ve tasted so far with a fruit-forward character that compliments the sweetness of the corn. Everything else is just how you want it … new oak casks, proper aging, etc. Some folks talk a good innovation game, but Koval brings the small-batch and single-barrel goods.

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