Koval, which means “blacksmith” in various Eastern European languages as well as “black sheep” in Yiddish, is the first new distillery that was built in Chicago – a city with a rich bootlegging history throughout the Prohibition period – in more than a hundred years. Ever since its opening in 2008, Koval’s founders adopted a progressive and forward-thinking way of distilling their spirits, based on a vast knowledge of the craft and a strong believe in quality ingredients. The result of this commendable philosophy is a selection of young whiskies of stunning complexity and staggering taste. Their Single Barrel Bourbon, which uses millet instead of rye or wheat as the main supplement to the basic corn mash, has not spent more than 3 years in the distillery’s signature 30 gallon casks. Yet, it possesses a wealth of flavors, goes down very smoothly and has a recognisable character. While I am usually more of a Scotch guy, this is a bottle of bourbon I am helluva glad to have discovered!

by Tobi

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Eye: Light bronze.
Nose: Sweet and easy with hints of fresh vanilla and sun-kissed fruits.
Palate: The Koval Single Barrel Bourbon is amazingly light and fresh, which I suppose to be the result of the distillery’s exclusive usage of organic ingredients. Besides the obligatory corn sweetness, this fantastic whiskey also delights us with a potpourri of orange and yellow fruits, such as apricots, tangerines and persimmons.
Finish: Surprisingly mild for such a young whiskey. Plus, the finish is long-lasting and puts further emphasis on the drink’s fruitiness.

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Type: Bourbon
Region: USA (Chicago)
Age: No Age Statement
Alc. volume: 47%
Bottle size: 0.5 litres
Price range: ~40.00 Euro
More info: http://www.koval-distillery.com/