You can't call this a bourbon, but you can call it delicious.
Koval is the first small batch distillery in Chicago since the dark days of the prohibition era, and one of the leading craft distilleries in the US. It was founded in 2008 by Robert and Sonat Birnecker who abandoned their academic careers to follow their hearts. Growing up, Robert lived near Salzburg, Austria, and was immersed in a culture of small batch distilling, so perhaps this is destiny. For those of us who love great spirits, it is just good luck for us! The distillery supports sustainable agriculture and is certified as both organic and kosher—there’ll be no outsourcing for these kids. In eight short years they have expanded their miracle-working to … geez, just about everything from Gin, to Whiskey, to Liqueurs, and a bunch of other fiddly things, all of them professionally crafted and tasty-good. In fact, they are rated as one of the top ten small-batch distilleries in the US.
You can’t call Koval Four Grain a Bourbon. That’s because it has no corn at all in the mash bill. It’s made of oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat. They are also very particular about the barrels they use. These barrels are not just heavy-charred American White oak. They’re a very particular kind of oak called Minnesota Oak, adn they like it because it has a tighter grain pattern that adds a unique spice to the final dram. The net result is a very smooth Whiskey that has a unique and distinct banana essence. Coupled with that smoothness and spice, it’s sort of like drinking a Bananas Foster made with Rye Whiskey.
"US micro Whiskey of the year runner up" - Whisky Bible 2017
What does Koval Single Barrel Four Grain Whiskey taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Koval Single Barrel Four Grain Whiskey and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Tennessee Whiskey closely parallels Bourbon, but final filtering through sugar-maple charcoal (called the Lincoln County Process) is what some producers say differentiates them. Tennessee Whiskey’s finish is sweeter and smoother than Bourbon.
Not bad. I would not purchase again, but a decent Rye. Unfortunately, I need to add a dab of bitters and let the ice melt before I actually really enjoy it. A lot better Ryes for the price.
Sunni,
One of my favorite whiskeys. It’s smooth, unique, and it’s perfect neat or with branch.
Sean,
Solid with mixer or on ice - really good balance throughout the grains
guest,
Well balanced and easy to sip!
Matt,
Fruit and orange nose. Pine notes with burnt caramel and a slightly harsh, citrus finish.
John,
Very light smooth whiskey. I think it pairs a cigar very well...
Angela,
Not for me.
Danny,
Not Bad! Single whiskey that will not overpower your senses. For the price, it is not bad. Not a whiskey I would go out of my way to purchase.
Antti,
It is a very good, creamy, American Whiskey with a rich birth; while a creamy life leads to a long & complex death with notes of spice, malted barley & cherry.
chris,
oak and banana flavor, subtle and smooth
Holly,
Had been wanting to try this. Not very impressed. Missed the corn for sure.
Patrick,
Not for me.
Greg,
I gotta be honest, I didn't particularly care for it. Smells really good but the flavor profile is spicey with what I'd describe as a nasty after taste. I was excited to try it, given the high reviews, but it let me down.
Matthew,
Powerful Oak and Vanilla with a strong tingling undercurrent. Tickles but doesn't burn. Lingering finish.
Austin,
This would be great for whiskey sours
Terri,
Very nice whiskey. Full of tropical fruitiness up front with plenty of fire on the backside.
Allison,
Alright, not something I would buy
Jared,
Banana on the nose with vanilla, pleasant taste and some spice to finish with oak notes and strong rye.
Jeffry,
Like the flavor profile here starts sweet and ends spicy. I’ll bet it makes a great Manhattan
Jeff,
I get the wheat in the nose, but damn if it didn’t open up into banana nut bread-nearly chipped a tooth on a walnut shell!
Joe,
Banana nose taste that surprises pie crust, cinnamon, and fig. Pleasantly mouth-coating. I get some maple syrup and faint oak on the finish. Add water and it mellows out and oats come through reminding me of banana nut bread! Interesting find
Paul,
Really interesting flavor; the banana taste is really prevalent. Dropped a small ice cube in halfway thru and the spice mellows, becomes sweeter and the flavor of oats comes out creating this banana bread thing that’s great after dinner, or first thing in the morning lol
Jeff,
Taste like paint thinner
James,
Strong flavor of smoke to start with a mellow peppery finish.
Alex,
Delicious whiskey with a spicy, complex flavor. Very good for the price.
Gregory,
I like it.
Paul,
more burn than I normally like. But nice flavor for a grain whiskey.
Nikki,
The best whiskey in their line of liquors.
Ian,
Being Single Barrel has its ups and downs. Each Barrel has different characteristics, even with the same char level or wood, and this is why most Single Barrels are long-aged. Other reviews may have had different experiences but for me I found that it had an artificial flavor tinge that overpowered the caramel and sweetness. I think the barrel I got my bottle from may have been an error of either under-char or perhaps the oats had an unwanted character. Either way, from some of the positive reviews and the description given by Flaviar, I'm hoping that a different bottle of this would give a better experience.
Brian,
The perfect concoction for those that appreciate a good sippin whiskey and a great scotch with bite. Like a crossroads between two fated lovers destined to fail but seen in their greatest moment, this four grain is everything that shouldn't work together but makes your tongue feel as perfect as any whiskey ever could. If there was something I had to choose, a singular drink for the rest of ever, this bottle would be it.
Robin,
Love it. A great all around dram
Adam,
Little too much spice at the end
David,
Very young wood notes. Also on the sweet side with a Carmel and coffee flavor that just seems artificial. If you ordered a well whiskey at a dive bar you might be pleasantly surprised if it tasted like this but it is by no means good and there is much better whiskey out there at this price point.
Lisa,
This is one of my favorites! Definitely smooth and delicious. I will absolutely purchase another!!!
Andy,
congac
Walter,
Right at pour the spice and wood is strong, after I let it sit out for about twenty minutes the fruits really came out. I'm hoping to save the majority of it for summer, when BBQ season starts. I think it would go really well with pork or chicken smoked over cherry, apple, or even pecan wood. With how it mellows over time I'll probably try and smoke a bourbon pecan pie with it as well.
guest,
I love it very smooth and great to drink by it self or mixed
George,
I hate to give a negative or even middle of the road rating but I have to. For me the flavor profile had possibilities of a great drink but the overall taste wasn’t there for me. I felt as if it was too oaky if that’s a word. It is definitely like most drinks an acquired taste. I unfortunately can not acquire a taste for it. I’m sure it has a great following.
Arkopal,
Love the spicy taste
Eric,
This is truly something special, a definite constant for my cabinet!
Alexander,
Potent sipping whiskey. Strong notes of charcoal. 1 shot over 1 cube in a glass. Strong buzz, no hangover. Nuff said.
A,
Smooth, complex, robust, yet well balanced
Scott,
Very smooth, great smoky aftertaste.
Anthony,
Great taste, very smooth on the pallet. A bottle that I'll be buying frequently to keep stocked in the cabinet.
Brian,
This was part of my introductory taste box. While the other two weren't bad, this one redefined good american whiskey for me. Excellent flavor with minimal burn, fantastic.