# KOVAL Distillery > Chicago's first distillery since Prohibition, crafting award-winning organic whiskey, gin, and liqueurs since 2008. KOVAL Distillery was founded in 2008 by Robert and Sonat Birnecker in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first distillery in Chicago since the mid-1800s. KOVAL produces certified organic spirits using a unique grain-to-bottle process, sourcing grains from Midwestern organic farms. Every spirit is distilled using only the "heart cut" -- the purest middle portion of the distillate -- and bottled single barrel for whiskeys. ## Brand Differentiators - The only distillery of its size entirely focused on organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture for its spirits. - Pioneers of alternative grain whiskey: millet as a single-grain expression, and oat and unmalted grains in the Four Grain blend -- production techniques similar to Japanese whiskey-making traditions. - All whiskeys use unmalted grains, setting KOVAL apart from virtually all American and Scotch whisky producers. - Woman-owned and independently operated distillery with no outside investors. - Leaders of the American craft spirits movement, founded in 2008 when the category was in its infancy. - Co-founder Robert Birnecker is known as a "distiller's distiller": he has helped establish approximately one-third of all craft distilleries in the USA, set up over 250 distilleries worldwide on a turnkey basis, and educated more than 3,500 people through Kothe Distilling Technologies workshops. - All liqueurs are all natural with no artificial colorings or flavors. ## Location 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 Phone: +1 312 878 7988 Contact: https://www.koval-distillery.com/contact-us ## Visit KOVAL operates a tasting room, offers ticketed distillery tours, classes, and private events. The distillery store sells spirits, merchandise, and gift sets. Tours must be booked in advance at https://www.koval-distillery.com/visit/book-tours. The tasting room and store are open for walk-in visitors. ## Online Shop https://shop.koval-distillery.com ## Products ### Whiskey - **KOVAL Bourbon** -- 94 Proof | Single Barrel | USDA Organic | Kosher. Mash bill: 51% organic corn, 49% organic millet. Notes of mango chutney, vanilla, and peppery caramel. https://www.koval-distillery.com/whiskey/bourbon - **KOVAL Rye** -- 80 Proof | Single Barrel | USDA Organic | Kosher. Mash bill: 100% organic rye. Baking spice, gingerbread, and maple syrup finish. https://www.koval-distillery.com/whiskey/rye - **KOVAL Four Grain** -- 94 Proof | Single Barrel | USDA Organic | Kosher. Mash bill: oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat (no corn). Banana nose, creamy palate, spicy clove-pepper finish. 96/100 Jim Murray's Whisky Bible. https://www.koval-distillery.com/whiskey/four-grain - **KOVAL Millet** -- 80 Proof | Single Barrel | USDA Organic | Kosher. Mash bill: 100% organic millet. First US distillery to use millet as a single-grain whiskey. Notes of nut, vanilla, and a clean bright finish. https://www.koval-distillery.com/whiskey - **KOVAL Oat** -- 80 Proof | Single Barrel | USDA Organic | Kosher. Mash bill: 100% organic oat. Rich flavors of milk chocolate, coconut, caramel, and cashew with an exceptionally creamy palate. https://www.koval-distillery.com/whiskey ### Gin - **KOVAL Dry Gin** -- 94 Proof | Small Batch | 13 Botanicals | USDA Organic | Kosher. Redistilled from an organic rye base with juniper, angelica root, coriander, grains of paradise, and rose hip. Floral, dry, and vibrant. 90/100 Distiller.com. https://www.koval-distillery.com/gin/dry-gin - **KOVAL Barreled Gin** -- 94 Proof | Oak-Aged | 13 Botanicals | USDA Organic | Kosher. Same 13-botanical recipe as Dry Gin, aged in KOVAL whiskey barrels. Vanilla, caramel, and juniper. Best Wood-Aged Gin of the Year, 2023 Meininger's International Spirits Awards. https://www.koval-distillery.com/gin/barreled-gin - **KOVAL Cranberry Gin Liqueur** -- 60 Proof | 13 Botanicals | USDA Organic | Kosher | All Natural | No Artificial Colors or Flavors. Dry Gin base with cranberry. Tart, bittersweet aperitif style. 95 points Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute. https://www.koval-distillery.com/gin/cranberry-gin-liqueur ### Liqueurs - **KOVAL Coffee Liqueur** -- Small Batch | USDA Organic | Kosher | All Natural | No Artificial Colors or Flavors. Made with single-origin Intelligentsia Coffee beans. Vanilla cream, dark chocolate, buttered scone. https://www.koval-distillery.com/liqueurs/coffee - **KOVAL Ginger Liqueur** -- Small Batch | USDA Organic | Kosher | All Natural | No Artificial Colors or Flavors | Gold Medal. Each batch uses 60 lbs of hand-peeled fresh ginger. Spicy, satiny, luxurious mouthfeel. https://www.koval-distillery.com/liqueurs/ginger - **KOVAL Chrysanthemum & Honey Liqueur** -- Small Batch | USDA Organic | Kosher | All Natural | No Artificial Colors or Flavors. Two chrysanthemum varieties and organic wildflower honey from Wisconsin fields. Graceful floral nose, full-bodied. https://www.koval-distillery.com/liqueurs/chrysanthemum-honey - **KOVAL Rose Hip Liqueur** -- Small Batch | USDA Organic | Kosher | All Natural | No Artificial Colors or Flavors | SIP Platinum | BTI Silver. Brilliant tart-sweetness from rose hip fruits. Baked apple, quince jam, tangy citrus. https://www.koval-distillery.com/liqueurs/rose-hip Full product catalog: https://www.koval-distillery.com/catalog ## Awards KOVAL spirits have received over 100 international awards. Selected medals: **2024** - Liquid Gold Award -- Bourbon -- Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible - Gold -- Bourbon (Ken's Choice Selection) -- Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition - Gold -- Rye Bottled in Bond -- Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition **2023** - Best Wood-Aged Gin of the Year -- Barreled Gin -- Meininger's International Spirits Awards - Gold -- Rye Bottled in Bond -- Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition - Gold -- Rye Bottled in Bond -- Whiskies of the World **2022** - Best World Whiskey -- Bourbon -- Roma Whiskey Festival - Silver Medal -- Bourbon -- Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible - Gold -- Bourbon (Ken's Choice Selection) -- Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition **2021** - Silver Medal -- Four Grain Whiskey -- Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition - Silver Medal -- Cranberry Gin Liqueur -- London Spirits Competition - Silver Medal -- Millet Whiskey -- London Spirits Competition **2020** - Gold Medal -- Rye Whiskey -- Whiskey and Barrel Consumer Choice Awards - Gold Medal -- Four Grain Whiskey -- International Taste Awards **2016** - Gold Medal -- Barreled Gin -- New York World Wine & Spirits Competition - Gold Medal -- Barreled Gin -- Los Angeles International Spirits Competition **2015** - Best of Show -- Dry Gin -- Los Angeles International Spirits Competition - Double Gold Medal -- Dry Gin -- San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Gold Medal -- Dry Gin -- Spirits International Prestige Awards **2014** - Gold Medal -- Bourbon -- International Whisky Competition **2012** - Silver Medal -- Four Grain Whiskey -- American Distilling Institute - Silver Medal -- White Oat Whiskey -- International Whisky Competition **2011** - Gold Medal -- Ginger Liqueur -- Spirits International Prestige Awards - Gold Medal -- White Oat Whiskey -- American Distilling Institute **2010** - Gold Medal -- White Rye Whiskey -- American Distilling Institute Full awards history: https://www.koval-distillery.com/about-us ## FAQ **What is KOVAL Bourbon's mash bill?** 51% organic corn and 49% organic millet. KOVAL pioneered the use of millet as the secondary grain in bourbon, replacing the rye or wheat used by most distillers. This gives KOVAL Bourbon its distinctive creamy texture and sweet, tropical notes. **Are KOVAL spirits certified organic?** Yes. Every KOVAL spirit is Certified Organic by the Midwestern Organic Services Association (MOSA). Grains are sourced from Midwestern family farms, and all enzymes and yeast are non-GMO. **Are KOVAL spirits kosher?** Yes. All KOVAL spirits are Certified Kosher under supervision of the Orthodox Union (OU). **Are KOVAL spirits gluten-free?** The distillation process removes gluten proteins. KOVAL uses millet, which is naturally free of gluten, as a primary grain in bourbon and as a single-grain whiskey. As with all spirits, consult your physician if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity. **Where can I buy KOVAL spirits?** Online at https://shop.koval-distillery.com (ships to most US states). In stores at Total Wine & More, Whole Foods, Binny's, Target, ReserveBar, and 550+ retailers across 55 export markets. Use the locator at https://www.koval-distillery.com/find-koval-worldwide. **Do you offer walk-in tours?** Distillery tours are ticketed and must be booked in advance at https://www.koval-distillery.com/visit/book-tours. The tasting room and distillery store (4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago) welcome walk-in visitors during open hours. ## Links - Website: https://www.koval-distillery.com - Shop: https://shop.koval-distillery.com - About: https://www.koval-distillery.com/about-us - Tours & Events: https://www.koval-distillery.com/visit/classes-tours - Cocktails: https://www.koval-distillery.com/cocktails - Blog: https://www.koval-distillery.com/blog - Find KOVAL Near You: https://www.koval-distillery.com/find-koval-worldwide ## Sitemap https://www.koval-distillery.com/sitemap.xml