Koval Single Barrel Bourbon

Koval Four Grain, I must admit, wasn't my top choice. It was excessively sweet and had strong notes I can only describe as nail polish. However, I don't dismiss a distillery based on one less-than-ideal experience. This time, it's SB bourbon—and I'm approaching it with an open mind. This is from Barrel # MV0J77 Nose: Abundant brown sugar. Vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Molasses. A hint of that nail polish aroma. Raisin. Menthol. Valentine's chocolate with raspberries. A rather strong croissant scent. Mango and pineapple can be detected somewhere within. Palate: Again, prominent brown sugar. Molasses is also present. Raisin and dried cranberry. More of that raspberry-flavored Valentine's Day chocolate. Vanilla and caramel. The croissant note is more subtle but still noticeable. A trace of the menthol from the nose. Black pepper and pipe smoke. Finish: Abundant brown sugar. Some caramel and vanilla. Toasted almond and walnut. Cinnamon red hots, crushed red pepper, and cinnamon. Sawdust, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Abundant spice. The pineapple and mango return at the end. Another quite unusual whiskey from Koval. A long, complex finish. Some very peculiar notes here, but similar to the Four Grain, this one works for me. I've rated this a 3.5/5–3.75 considering value for money. On a different day, I might have scored it lower, and I certainly couldn't see myself giving it a higher score. The previous review I wrote was for the Macallan Rare Cask, which I gave a 3.0/5. Now, that is undeniably a superior whisky to this one. But it's a 3.75 reduced to a 3.0 due to value for money. Conversely, I had this rated at a 3.5, increased to 3.75 due to value for money. The fact that I can buy about nine of these for the price of one Rare Cask is significant, at least in my opinion. This is an odd one. I might lower the score in the future. But for now, it's a 3.75.

Appearance: orange-toned honey I opened two pours, letting one rest for about fifteen minutes for comparison. Immediately after pouring: Nose: Strong ethanol and vanilla. First taste: Ethanol that quickly dissipates, leaving behind traditional vanilla and caramel with minimal burn (unexpected, given the initial ethanol) and less sweetness than typically accompanies vanilla and caramel. A peculiar plastic-like note is detected; its origin, possibly an unfamiliar grain, is uncertain. Finish: Medium length, with a slight bitterness akin to very dark chocolate. The plastic note persists. With a few drops of water: It becomes sweeter, and the plastic quality diminishes somewhat. A companion, familiar with wine, identified a "woody quality, like damp fallen leaves." After resting: Nose: Fruit and vanilla with undertones of butterscotch. Definitely improved with time. First taste: Sweeter. A more pronounced butterscotch character is present compared to the caramel in the initial pour. It also has a spicier burn. Few drops of water: Tones down the spice, except on the finish. Enhances the buttery sensation. After a couple of sips with water, a faint hint of cheap pink bubblegum from childhood appears. Finish: Medium length, with a tongue-tingling cinnamon spice. Overall impression: Letting it rest and adding water was my preferred method of enjoyment. The plastic taste is a significant detractor for me. It might be due to the unfamiliar grain, or perhaps it will fade as the bottle is further consumed. I am open to exploring it more.

Nose: loads of caramel, vanilla, and strong grain. Palate: Tastes like Corn Pops cereal (never expected that!), molasses, distinct char, some bitter oak, and a gentle spiciness. Certainly different, with a full body too. Finish: Becomes sweeter and the spice gets stronger as well. Overall: Distinct and engaging, for sure. Not deeply complex, but respectable. If you want something unconventional but not extreme, this might be a good choice.

I wouldn't have paid it much attention in a store. But I was out with a friend last Friday, trying different bars, and decided to sample this. Nice. Surprisingly good. Spicy at the start. Slightly sweet. Caramel (I could actually taste it). Butterscotch. I believe this is quite young — aged for less than four years. But it doesn't taste that way. I'm not going to purchase it, but I would certainly drink it again. It's not bad at all... truly not bad.

Gentle aroma with initial ethanol notes that soften after resting for a few minutes. Floral and citrus on the nose. The initial taste presents strong oak and char with a subtle black pepper finish. A good, light lingering sensation and moderate warmth during the finish. Adding a splash of water highlights the black pepper but it fades quickly. A solid offering and I'd suggest getting this one.

A unique/interesting combination of a sweet aroma, but the flavor has more of a typical vanilla or caramel profile. Even though the nose suggests that, you get more fruit/herbal flavor without the sweetness. It's not necessarily bad, but it's a bit disorienting. It's also not entirely smooth and doesn't fully mellow out with ice.