Organic. Land to bottle. Chicago since 2008. Woman owned.
Sonat Birnecker Hart, President and Founder
4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago IL 60613
Story One: Cranberry Gin Liqueur — The Holiday Bottle
Real cranberries from a certified organic bog in Wisconsin — no dyes, no artificial flavoring. Built on KOVAL’s own Dry Gin, distilled from thirteen botanicals on a base of organic rye. At 30 percent ABV, roughly half the strength of a standard spirit, this is one of the few interesting bottles that sits at that strength.
Angles for editors
- Gift guides: Under $35, not another red bottle of flavored syrup. Real fruit from a named organic source.
- Cocktail features: American aperitivo. Works anywhere a bitter Italian liqueur would — spritz, Negroni riff, on ice.
- Moderation story: At 30% ABV, half the strength of a standard spirit. Very few interesting bottles sit at that proof. Extends the season through January.
Story Two: Single Barrel Bourbon — The Regenerative One
Awards: Gold, Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition • 94.5 points, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible
Angles for editors
- Regenerative agriculture: Millet rebuilds soil and resists drought. Almost no bourbon has an agricultural story. KOVAL’s mash uses 49% millet from certified organic Midwestern farms.
- Brand refresh live: The redesigned bottle carries organic certification and sustainability claims, TTB approved. A strong visual angle for any feature on craft spirits and sustainability.
Story Three: Thresh & Winnow 100% Millet Bottled in Bond — The Object
T&W Millet Bottled in Bond • 1030 × 2700 px • PNG
Awards: First Place, 2025 Dieline Awards • Best in Show, 2025 Craft Spirits Packaging Awards
Bottles designed by Sonat’s sister, through Dando Projects.
Angles for editors
- The object: Bottled in Bond at 100 proof, 100% millet. The packaging won Best in Show at the 2025 Craft Spirits Packaging Awards and First Place at the 2025 Dieline Awards — considered the Oscars of packaging design.
- Family design: The bottle was designed by Sonat’s sister through Dando Projects. A family distillery’s bottle, designed by family.
- Millet neat: Not every serve needs a cocktail. This is a sipping whiskey; the flavors of 100% millet, Bottled in Bond, speak on their own.
Note: Thresh & Winnow Sotol Finished Rye and Brandy Cask Bourbon are NOT Bottled in Bond. The BiB designation applies exclusively to this 100% Millet expression.
Fall and Winter Cocktails
Seasonal cocktail specs for editorial use. All measures listed in both oz and ml. All ingredients are widely available at retail.
Product Reference
Complete product data for the three priority products.
| Product | ABV / Proof | Size | SRP | UPC | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberry Gin Liqueur KOVAL | 30% / 60 proof | 750 ml | $32.99 | 850786006464 | Best American Gin Liqueur — World Liqueur Awards |
| Single Barrel Bourbon KOVAL | 47% / 94 proof | 750 ml | $44.99 | 850786006013 | Gold — Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition; 94.5 pts — Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible |
| 100% Millet Bottled in Bond Thresh & Winnow | 50% / 100 proof | 750 ml | $98.50 | 850061123053 | 1st Place — Dieline Awards (2025); Best in Show — Craft Spirits Packaging Awards (2025) |
UPCs are GS1 codes as registered by the distillery. The organic certificate is issued by MOSA and is available to editors on request. Kosher certification is by the Orthodox Union; the certificate renewal is in progress.
Certifications
Certificate available on request
Certificate renewal in progress
Woman-owned certified
Federally certified
Certified small business
Awards
Selected honors, Gold and above. KOVAL has won more than 100 awards since 2010; the full list is available on request.
Thresh & Winnow
- First Place, 2025 – Thresh & Winnow packaging – Dieline Awards
- Best in Show, 2025 – Thresh & Winnow packaging – Craft Spirits Packaging Awards
- Gold, 2025 – Thresh & Winnow 100% Millet, Citrine Gin and Forêt Gin – Beverage Testing Institute
- Double Gold, 2024 – Thresh & Winnow Forêt Gin and Citrine Gin – pr%f Awards
- 95 points, 2026 – Thresh & Winnow Forêt Gin – International Bartender Spirits Awards
KOVAL Whiskey
- Liquid Gold Award, 2024 – Bourbon – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible
- Gold, 2024 – Bourbon, Ken’s Choice Selection – Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition
- Gold, 2024 – Rye Bottled in Bond – Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition
- Gold, 2024 – Bourbon Bottled in Bond – Beverage Testing Institute
- Best World Whiskey – Bourbon – Roma Whiskey Festival
- Top Spirits of the Year – Four Grain Whiskey – Wine Enthusiast
KOVAL Gin and Liqueur
- Double Gold – Dry Gin – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Best of Show – Dry Gin – Los Angeles International Spirits Competition
- Best Wood-Aged Gin of the Year – Barreled Gin – Meininger’s International Spirits Awards
- Special Prize, Best American Craft Gin – Barreled Gin – Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition
- Best American Gin Liqueur – Cranberry Gin Liqueur – World Liqueur Awards
The Distillery
- 100 Best Distilleries to Visit in the World – KOVAL Distillery – Whisky Magazine
- America’s Coolest Distilleries – KOVAL Distillery – Travel + Leisure
- Top 10 Most Influential Craft Whiskey Makers – KOVAL Distillery – Whisky Advocate
- Best Local Distillery – KOVAL Distillery – Chicago Reader
In the Press
“A compelling take on America’s native spirit.”
The Wall Street Journal, Luis Alberto Urrea, March 2018Not a Bourbon Drinker? This One Might Change Your Mind
“We produce our own rye base, which gives our gin its distinctive hint of spice.” Robert Birnecker, on KOVAL Gin in Monocle’s Inventory.
Monocle, Issue 80Read the page (PDF)
KOVAL has also been featured in Vogue.
Request Samples
Sample requests are handled directly by Sonat Birnecker Hart. Include your deadline and publication in your message.
KOVAL Distillery • 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago IL 60613
Where to Buy
KOVAL ships nationwide. Find stockists and order online at koval-distillery.com/availability and koval-distillery.com/catalog.
Photography
Direct download links for all available photography. No login or form required. All images cleared for editorial use; credit: Photo courtesy of KOVAL Distillery.
Bottle Shots — Priority Products
Bottle Shots — Wider Range
Additional bottles on white, for editors covering the full range rather than the three seasonal stories.
Founders & Distillery
Brand Logos
About KOVAL (Boilerplate)
The following copy is offered in three lengths as approved boilerplate, approved by Sonat Birnecker Hart.
Short
KOVAL Distillery has been crafting internationally acclaimed organic and sustainable spirits since 2008. KOVAL is one of the largest woman owned and certified organic distilleries in the USA, and together with its sister line, Thresh and Winnow, offer a portfolio of whiskey, gin, liqueurs, and specialty spirits made land to bottle in Chicago.
A Bit Longer
KOVAL is the first distillery in Chicago since the mid-1800s and the largest completely independent woman owned craft distillery in the USA. KOVAL distills internationally award-winning whiskey, gin, and specialty spirits, using certified USDA organic single-origin grains and a heart-cut approach. KOVAL, and its sister line, Thresh and Winnow, are made land to bottle in Chicago using organic, sustainable, and regenerative grains, from Midwestern family farms.
Full (200+ Words)
KOVAL Distillery was established in 2008 as Chicago’s first distillery since the mid-1800s. As the largest 100% woman-owned, independent craft distillery in the U.S., KOVAL leads the market with a commitment to organic, sustainable, and regenerative spirits. KOVAL’s signature “heart cut” philosophy and a global reputation for technical excellence have brought their whiskey, gins, and specialty spirits to over 40 markets around the world, garnering over a hundred awards. KOVAL’s whiskeys are made with unmalted grains, while being non-chill filtered, providing a robust, true to natural grain approach. KOVAL’s gins are made with an aromatic rye white whiskey base, in addition to a maceration and distillation of the botanicals, affording a process involving three layers of flavor. KOVAL’s founders are also leaders in the industry and have educated thousands in the art of craft distilling, while consulting for some of the biggest names in craft spirits around the world.
KOVAL’s sister label, Thresh & Winnow, offers limited releases including the Foret and Citrine gins and the 100% Millet Bottled in Bond. Its bottles took first place at the 2025 Dieline Awards and Best in Show at the 2025 Craft Spirits Packaging Awards and the spirits have won numerous awards for taste. KOVAL is available across the US and in more than 40 export markets.
Founder Bios
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart — President and Founder
Short
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart is the founder and president of KOVAL Distillery in Chicago, one of the largest independent, woman-owned craft distilleries in the US. A former tenured professor, she lobbied to create Illinois’ first Craft Distiller’s license and has grown KOVAL into a brand available nationally and in more than 40 export markets.
Long
Sonat is the owner and president of KOVAL, one of the largest fully independent, woman-owned craft distilleries in the US. She has spearheaded product development, distribution, and marketing, turning her family business into an international presence with availability in more than 40 export markets. Sonat also successfully lobbied to create the first Craft Distiller’s license in Illinois, making it possible for craft distillers to offer tours, tastings, and retail on site. She has since further advanced both the legal and tax framework for craft distilleries.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Sonat led KOVAL’s transition to producing much-needed hand sanitizer for those on the front lines, including medical organizations, first responders, and community non-profits. For this effort, KOVAL was honored with the City of Chicago Medal of Honor.
Sonat is involved in a number of philanthropic organizations and is a board member of Chicago’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and North Branch Works. She is a past recipient of the Illinois Business Person of the Year and EXIM Exporter of the Year awards, a federally appointed member of the Illinois District Export Council, and an inductee of the Disciples d’Escoffier.
Prior to opening KOVAL Distillery, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart spent over a decade as a full professor in both the United States and Germany.
Dr. Robert Birnecker — CEO and Master Distiller
Short
Dr. Robert Birnecker is the CEO and Master Distiller of KOVAL Distillery in Chicago. A third-generation distiller from Austria, he is one of America’s top distilling experts. Through Kothe Distilling Technologies, a consulting arm, he has helped set up more than 250 distilleries worldwide and consulted for some of the best-known names in American craft spirits.
Long
One of America’s top distilling experts and an internationally renowned consultant, Dr. Robert Birnecker is the CEO and Master Distiller of KOVAL Distillery in Chicago. An Austrian native and third-generation distiller, Robert’s love for traditional craft spirits was born helping his grandparents at their award-winning distillery and winery. He went on to earn numerous certificates from Austria’s leading distilling program, Hohere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt fur Wein- und Obstbau Klosterneuburg, and honed his skills alongside Europe’s foremost spirits expert, Dr. Klaus Hagmann.
Through his work with Kothe Distilling Technologies, Robert has helped set up more than 250 craft distilleries around the world and provided the technical foundation for roughly a third of the craft distilleries in the United States and Canada. He has consulted for some of the best-known names in American craft spirits, teaching the teams at FEW, Journeyman and Woodinville and supplying equipment to High West, while KOVAL provided white labeling for WhistlePig. He has educated more than 3,500 people in the art and science of distilling.
His technical expertise has helped KOVAL earn more than 100 international awards, and led to his induction into the Disciples d’Escoffier and his recognition as Illinois Business Person of the Year by the National Small Business Association. Before opening KOVAL with his wife, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, Robert served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.
Approved Quotes
“When Robert and I started KOVAL, we wanted to work with organic grains, while supporting farmers engaging in sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. Robert grew up on a farm in Austria and it was clear to us how important this is for the environment, our ecosystem, and the land.”
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart — On organic and regenerative farming“When we started KOVAL the laws in Illinois had not been changed since the end of Prohibition and we were not able to have any outreach to consumers. I am proud to have helped change it to make it possible for craft distilleries to offer tours, tastings, and retail on site. It has made a world of difference for craft distilleries in our state.”
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart — On founding KOVAL and changing the law“Since our spirits only use the heart cut of the distillate, which is the cleanest, brightest portion of what comes off the still, our spirits tend to be quite smooth, even at a higher proof.”
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart — On the taste of KOVAL spirits“For the Thresh and Winnow line, we wanted to make spirits that were not only delicious, while highlighting more unique flavor profiles, such as millet for the whiskey and shiso for the gin, we also wanted the packaging to be as sustainable as the whiskey, in that it would be so beautiful, no one would want to throw away the bottle after drinking the last drop. So many people use these award winning bottles as decanters, vases, water pitchers, and that is exactly what we wanted to accomplish.”
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart — On Thresh & WinnowEditorial Usage
All photography and brand assets on this page are provided for editorial use only in connection with coverage of KOVAL Distillery, Thresh & Winnow, and their products. Please credit images as: Photo courtesy of KOVAL Distillery.
Commercial use, modification for advertising purposes, or use unrelated to editorial coverage requires written consent. Contact marketing@koval-distillery.com for licensing inquiries.
Responsible consumption: KOVAL Distillery produces alcoholic beverages. Please include a responsible consumption reminder in all coverage. KOVAL products are intended for adults aged 21 and over.