KOVAL Rye - Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels

100% Rye | 100 Proof | Single Barrel | Organic | Kosher | Woman-Owned

Crafted with the same 100% organic rye grain as the classic KOVAL Rye, this limited-edition expression spent time finishing in former maple syrup casks for an extra touch of sweetness and appealing depth of flavor. The Beverage Testing Institute awarded it 95 points and a Gold Medal ("Exceptional") -- one of the highest BTI scores among all KOVAL products.

Enticing notes of cinnamon spice, tart cherry, and molasses delight the senses, while a long creamy chai tea finish rounds out the drinking experience. A delicious base for Manhattans and a delightful addition to the collections of craft whiskey enthusiasts.

Tasting Profile

Nose: Multifaceted and sweet. Notes of fruit, vanilla, and a touch of oak layered with maple syrup character. Butterscotch and candied fruit invite you in.

Palate: Harmonious and slightly acidic, with a fresh quality. Candied fruit, butterscotch, and coconut shavings mingle with maple syrup sweetness. Cinnamon spice, tart cherry, and molasses from the official KOVAL tasting build depth and complexity.

Finish: Long-lasting and spicy. A creamy chai tea quality defines the finish, with warmth and sweetness that linger. The maple syrup cask influence comes through most clearly here.

Production

KOVAL Rye Maple Syrup Barrel Finish begins as the same 100% organic, unmalted rye distilled using only the "heart cut" -- the purest middle portion of each distillation run. After initial aging in 30-gallon charred American oak barrels, the whiskey undergoes a secondary maturation in former maple syrup casks, adding a layer of sweetness, vanilla, and butterscotch that complements the grain-forward rye spice.

Every bottle is single barrel and individually numbered, with each cask yielding a limited number of bottles. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), this expression delivers the bold character and depth you would expect from a cask-finished, full-strength rye. Not chill-filtered and not colored -- a natural presentation of what the barrels produce. Certified organic by MOSA and kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU).

What Makes It Unique

Maple syrup cask finishing is rare in American whiskey. Where most cask finishes use wine, sherry, or port barrels, KOVAL chose former maple syrup casks to create something distinctly different -- a whiskey that bridges the gap between the grain-forward spice of rye and the warm sweetness of real maple. The result is more layered and dessert-forward than the standard Rye, with butterscotch, vanilla, and that signature creamy chai tea finish.

At 100 proof, it has enough body to stand up in cocktails. KOVAL specifically recommends it as a Manhattan base, where the maple character adds depth to the classic formula.