Koval Single Barrel Four Grain

This spirit seems interesting based on its description. It features four grains: oat is primary, followed by malted barley, rye, and wheat. I haven't encountered that particular mix before. It's also my first time trying a spirit from a Chicago distillery. Let's give it a try. Barrel # 7G6X6K Nose: Predominantly brown sugar. Oat and almond notes are present. There's an astringent, sweet smell like nail polish. A banana-walnut muffin aroma balances that out. Rum cake notes are also detected, along with cocoa and oak. Palate: Once again, very heavy on the brown sugar. The oat and almond from the nose carry over. The almond is toasted, and there's walnut as well. Caramel and vanilla are noticeable. Fudge and milk chocolate come through. Hints of sawdust and timber are present. Some of that nail polish note reappears. The rye is more pronounced here, with rye spice and black pepper joining the oak. Finish: Brown sugar is dominant. Nail polish notes are present. Cola and banana bread aromas emerge. Almond, walnut, and oat are detected. Black pepper, rye, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak are in the mix. The finish has a medium length. This is an unusual spirit, but a good one. The grain bill clearly influences the flavor profile. Oat plays an interesting leading part, and I think this spirit succeeds with it. For $45, I feel this was a worthwhile purchase. I will drink more of it. I previously had a bottle from a couple of years ago that was awful. This is a massive improvement. I will definitely try this again in the future, but I'm giving it a 3/5 rating for now. It's solid.

A pour during lunch, fitting for a Wednesday. This one carries the name '4 grain,' which I typically don't favor. Naturally, I've only sampled a few of the less expensive varieties, such as Lee W. Sinclair, and given that a friend described this as outstanding, I have hopeful expectations. The aroma is indeed grainy and somewhat bitter. It includes notes of walnut, nail polish, sawdust, and spearmint. The body is more appealing. Brown sugar, oat. More mint is present. The finish is... lacking. Possibly a trace of cinnamon. This is entirely skippable. It surpasses Lee W. Sinclair, and they did a commendable job addressing the water source issue that affects numerous distilleries in this region (this one originates from Chicago). It still tastes conspicuously young, lacks depth, and presents some truly peculiar flavor choices. I will not be ordering or purchasing this again.

Nose: Granny Smith apple Oily texture, similar to a pot still Irish or an oily single malt Whole wheat bread Faint yeast notes A bit of caramel and vanilla An intense aroma, difficult to discern Palate: A rush of barrel sweetness across the palate Leads to a prolonged finish with barrel tannins Oakiness, reminiscent of furniture Spice notes The barrel tannins are overpowering, which is unfortunate as I appreciate the aroma of this whiskey. The oiliness reminded me of the Koval millet whiskey, which I quite liked. As is often the case with Koval products, it would benefit from more time aging in the barrel.

A smooth, certified organic & kosher American Whiskey from Robert & Sonat Birnecker, produced by Koval Distillery in Chicago, Illinois, using oat, malted barley, rye & wheat. It was then aged in Minnesota Oak barrels. It possesses a rich beginning with hints of banana & cream alongside baking spices; its creamy middle phase introduces notes of grain, rye, oak, orange zest & vanilla; culminating in a lengthy & intricate conclusion with notes of spice, malted barley & cherry. April 2019 / August 2022 / April 2024

Barrel# FB6W78. Leather, subtle spices, and sweet floral grain on the nose. Smoke, char, vanilla oak, and a sweet cereal like rolled oats with a creamy malted-grain texture in the mouth. Sweet, floral orange, and a touch of light spice in an average finish. It's soft, rounded, and sweet with floral notes and that oak char smoke foundation. The contrasting elements blend well.

The aroma is leathery, and the taste is slightly sweet. Initially, orange is present with a mild warmth. It's not overpowering, but it makes its presence known. The warmth seems to linger longer than the flavor in the initial sips. The finish is medium, with occasional hints of leather. I'd drink it if offered, but I wouldn't purchase another bottle myself.