Whisky Producer Profile - Koval

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Aggregate Producer Rating?

0.0

(14.3 pctl)

$3.50 / pctl

Koval | Est. 2008

Koval Midwest USA Rye, American Whiskey, Bourbon $50 Median Price

Independently Owned

Koval Website

Overall, Koval is known for:

Vanilla

(13)

Caramel

(10)

Pepper

(7)

Oak

(6)

Smoked

(5)

Anise

(4)

Producer Overview

Founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team, Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, KOVAL began as the first distillery to open in Chicago since the mid-1800s. Prior to starting the distillery, Sonat and Robert had established careers in government and academia,but chose to forge a new path together. Their goal with KOVAL was to marry centuries of tradition from Robert's Austrian distilling heritage with state-of-the-art modern technologies - all with the aim of bringing heightened levels of consistency and creativity to the world of spirits. KOVAL means 'smith' or 'blacksmith' in many Eastern European languages, however in Yiddish, it has the added meaning of someone who 'forges ahead.' KOVAL is an homage to Sonat's great grandfather who earned it as a nickname when he dared to move from turn-of-the-century Vienna to the US to start a new life from scratch, while it also honors Robert's grandfather, from whom he learned to distill, as his family name is Schmid, the German equivalent of Koval. OVAL’s founders have also used their experience and knowledge to educate thousands of people in the art of craft distilling. Through their consulting with Kothe Distilling Technologies, they have helped set up hundreds of new distilleries all around the world, ushering in a new wave of craft spirits internationally. They serve as ambassadors for the industry, maintaining close ties with various trade organizations, special interest groups, and government officials to ensure that independent craft brands continue to receive support and opportunities to thrive around the world. Read more...