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Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in! KOVAL is proud to call Chicago our home because of its vibrant culture! A big facet of that...
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Chi-Rish Coffee
We in Chicago know how to throw a party, as St. Patrick’s Day goes to show. Here at KOVAL, we love to explore the history behind each festive occa...
Learn MoreThe Ideal Bartender
After an exhilarating month at KOVAL, learning about the many contributions to the making of spirits, the concoction of cocktails, and the talented arti...
Learn MoreCabin Fever Cure: Chicago's Libraries and Fireplace Bars
Photo: Jude Goergen As we enter the final stretch of another Chicago winter, summer days still seem like a distant dream. It will be several months befo...
Learn MoreA Spirited Valentine's Day Gift Guide
As Valentine's Day approaches, the search is on for the perfect gift for that special someone. To help in the quest, we've curated two gift guides in...
Learn MoreSpirit Tea Cocktails
Making beautiful, handcrafted products is never easy, but the end results are always worth the time and effort. Here at KOVAL, we love partnering with o...
Learn MoreWinter Warmer: The Hot Toddy
Snowed in? Now is the time for a beloved warm cocktail: The Hot Toddy! While chances are the whiskey-and-lemon laden drink can’t cure the common co...
Learn MoreFrench 75: The Evolution of a Celebratory Cocktail
As we sit back, resting from the months of holiday preparations and celebrations, we are faced with a choice: Shall we toast to the end of 2017 and the beg...
Learn MoreBourbon Chocolate Crinkles
This boozy take on a classic holiday cookie packs an intense flavor punch with a combination of chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, KOVAL Bourbon and cho...
Learn MoreGlüh Gin: A Cup of Holiday Cheer
Topping holiday gift guides from leading publications like Real Simple, Epicurious, Midwest Living and Splash, KOVAL Gin is officially the must-have gif...
Learn MoreA Spirited Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is so much more than a meal. Before and after the turkey and all its trimmings is a day full of moments to be savored. Cheers to findin...
Learn MoreSusan for President Prune Brandy
We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest spirit, Susan for President Prune Brandy. Made from 100 percent prunes, this unique brandy is t...
Learn MoreKOVAL Whiskey and Vosges Chocolate Pairings
In honor of National Chocolate Day, we teamed up with our friends at Vosges Chocolate to create three elevated whiskey and chocolate pairings. Enjoy the...
Learn MoreSpice-Forward Fall Cocktails
The crisp fall Chicago air has us craving warm spices, savory bites and, of course, perfectly crafted cocktails. With this in mind, we collaborated wi...
Learn MoreOpen House Chicago
KOVAL Distillery is proud to take part in Open House Chicago. We're inspired by the iconic architecture of our great city.
Learn MoreNational Whiskey Sour Day
At KOVAL, we’re big fans of cocktail lore. A rich history dresses up any cocktail and a whiskey sour is no different. It’s a simple cocktail but not...
Learn MoreCheers To: Millennium Park
For Chicagoans, summer in the city is what makes us strong enough to endure eight months of winter. Although July is now behind us, those boxes of sweat...
Learn MoreNegroni Week
Legend takes us back to Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy in 1919. Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Forsco Scarselli to “strengthen” his favorite cock...
Learn MoreRedefining a Mother Owned Business
KOVAL co-founder and President, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, watches her children play in a gazebo while she works. I co-founded KOVAL Distillery with my husb...
Learn MoreThe Perfect Fit
At KOVAL, we’re no strangers to incorporating technology with design. Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to have one without the other. Kit and Ace, a...
Learn MoreTomoiki Sekine: Kyoto Loves Gin
All photo credits to Tomoiki Sekine and his team. Art and alcohol meet at nokishita711, a popular gin bar located in Kyoto, Japan. Drink Direct...
Learn MoreCould You Patent the Sun?: Celebrating Jonas Salk
Photo Credit: New York Times Today we celebrate determination, innovation, and humanitarianism. Sixty-two years ago, Doctor Jonas Salk released the poli...
Learn MoreThe Smoky Martini: KOVAL meets Ardbeg
The Smoky Martini. A classic, dry martini that’s making a comeback. This simple, two-ingredient drink is as sophisticated as it sounds. Botanical notes fro...
Learn MoreClosing Women's History Month with Black Ensemble Theater's Jackie Taylor
Theater has always played a pivotal role in using art as a medium for social justice. The Black Ensemble Theater exemplifies this use of the stage as a cha...
Learn MoreWhy I Love Chicago: Keara McGraw Shows us What's in Bloom
Tucked away underneath the foliage of the famous Garfield Park Conservatory, artist Keara McGraw finds inspiration and centers herself. It's hard to find a q...
Learn MoreCheers to the Chinese New Year with "This Little Lychee of Mine"
2017 is the year of the Rooster, specifically the Fire Rooster. People born in a Rooster year tend to be courageous, hardworking, and confident. To celebrat...
Learn MoreSips of Wanderlust: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
The Prince Park Tower's Yukiko Watanabe mixes up a KOVAL Dry Gin cocktail inspired by the transition from summer to fall in Japan. The beautifully knotted l...
Learn MoreAutumns Up: Sunchoke Spirit Cocktails
As it begins to cool off outside, there's no better way to stay warm than with this duo of autumnal beer cocktails featuring our deliciously unique Sunc...
Learn MoreCelebrate Rosh Hashanah with the Shofar So Good
This year, Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) will begin the evening of October 2nd, and end the evening of October 4th. There are a number of symbolic food...
Learn MoreSips of Wanderlust: Tokyo's GASLIGHT EVE
Tucked away in a cozy upstairs bar in Ginza is GASLIGHT EVE, home to one of Tokyo's most innovative bartenders, 高橋直美 (Takahashi Naomi). Her KOVAL Bou...
Learn MoreKOVAL Barreled Gin Cocktails
Tender Is The Night 1 oz KOVAL Barreled Gin 1/2 oz Montenegro 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth 1 oz Cassoni Tom Sour 2 oz KOVAL Barreled Gin 3/4 oz simple ...
Learn MoreSips Of Wanderlust: Osaka Park
Filmed at The Violet Hour in Chicago, IL, and inspired by Japanese flavors. The "Osaka Park" 1 oz KOVAL Dry Gin 1 oz Inojochu (...
Learn MoreHot Buttered Whiskey Cocktail
It's going to be a cold week. Warm up with a hot buttered whiskey cocktail. 1 Butter Ball 1/2 oz. KOVAL Bourbon 5 oz. hot water Stir and add a spritz of...
Learn More5 Cocktails To Batch For New Year's Eve
All takes on the classic French 75, these easy-to-make, large-batch cocktail recipes are all meant to be shaken, strained to a flute, and topped with sp...
Learn MoreVinyl Me, Please + KOVAL | Nils Frahm's "Spaces" + The "Ivory Sour" Cocktail
The goal of Vinyl Me, Please is not just to find great albums, but to discover artists that are consistently pushing the bounda...
Learn MoreThe 8 Cocktails of Hanukkah
In celebration of Hanukkah, here are 8 different cocktails to have while you dreidel. Shofar So Good (above)1 oz KOVAL Vodka 1/2 oz KOVAL Orange Bloss...
Learn MoreKOVAL and Standard Market Present: Cocktail Companions For Classic Thanksgiving Dishes
KOVAL was founded with the belief that people want to drink to enjoy life, and for life's good times with friends and loved ones. For that reason, Thank...
Learn MoreSips of Wanderlust: Put A Bird On It
KOVAL's Bourbon Whiskey is made with corn and millet, an ancient grain commonly used for birdseed (but also a hearty whole grain for humans). It's hard for ...
Learn MoreReimagine Tradition: Or Gotham, Illustrator
Or Gotham, a New York-based illustrator, cites his inspirations as Robert Rauschenberg and Batman—and it shows. We first noti...
Learn MoreFrom Grain to Bottle: The Barrel Mill
Humbly housed at the end of a residential street in the small lakeside town of Avon, Minnesota is The Barrel Mill; a cooperage specializing in Oak barre...
Learn MoreArtist Spotlight: Cape Horn Illustration
Phil Thompson and Katie Lauffenburger both grew up in Pennsylvania and first met in Chicago, where they founded Cape Horn Illustration...
Learn MoreSips of Wanderlust: Staircase Wit (Esprit de L'escalier)
In English, we use the French phrase "l'espirit de l'escalier" ("staircase wit") to describe the feeling of thinking of the perfect reply just a bit too late...
Learn MoreTo Do: DEFY x Great Lakes Tattoo
With the rise of “Made in America,” it seems that now more than ever, people are curious about the craft—and the story—behind their goods. DEFY ...
Learn MoreSips of Wanderlust: The Savile Rye
Located in the central London neighborhood of Mayfair, Savile Row hosts one of the world's most prestigious collections of bespoke tailors (fun fact: the st...
Learn MoreCheers To: Woman Made Gallery
For those who consider themselves outside of the “art world,” walking into a gallery can be intimidating. This isn’t the case when you open the d...
Learn MoreHow To: "End of Summer Blues"
Even when the it's as late as it can be in the calendar year, Labor Day weekend always comes too soon. To celebrate the holiday weekend, we put all of our fa...
Learn MoreCody Bralts for KOVAL: Seeing Logan Square
Centralized at the grassy intersection of Kedzie, Logan Boulevard, and Milwaukee Avenue on the northwest side of Chicago, the bustling Logan Square neighborh...
Learn MoreCheers To: Heritage Bicycles
For founder Mike Salvatore, Heritage Bicycles isn't just a bike or coffee shop—it's a lifestyle. Heritage Bicycles General Store, which opened i...
Learn MoreReimagine Tradition: Anna Posey, Pastry Chef at The Publican
Above: Sketch of the KOVAL logo by Anna Posey We first stumbled upon Anna Posey's beautiful photographs through Star Chefs, who featured her as a 'Risi...
Learn MoreHow To: "The Garden Party"
Summer is ripe. Get a taste of the season with "The Garden Party," a Dry Gin cocktail mixed with hints of lime, mint, and floral notes. Recommended to enjoy ...
Learn MoreCheers To: Horween Leather Company
Chicago is one of the few cities whose scents change dramatically depending on the manufacturers that reside in the surrounding neighborhood. Climb the ...
Learn MoreReimagine Tradition: Rita Farmer, Minnesota
In the last few years, the introduction of Instagram has not only created an entirely new and innovative platform for artistic expression, but it has helped...
Learn MoreFrom Grain To Bottle: Clarkson Grain Company + Organic Corn Farmer Allen Williams
In the Midwest, it’s hard to imagine a practice more traditional than corn farming, especially as you drive across the farms and plains of Southern Il...
Learn MoreCheers To: Russ Maki, Graphic Conservation Company
Russ Maki can never forget the moment the Thirteenth Amendment entered the lab at Graphic Conservation Company—an 8,000 square foot space in Chicago�...
Learn MoreFeatured Bartender: Kal Huettl, Tortoise Club
The Tortoise Club is a place where the staff will not only remember your name, but they’ll also ask about your recent business trip or how your siste...
Learn MoreHow To: "Better Than A Necktie"
This Father's Day, cheers to Dad with the 'Better Than A Necktie' cocktail. In a chilled glass, build: 2 oz. KOVAL Millet Whiskey 3/4 oz. Dolin Blanc ...
Learn MoreReimagine Tradition: Eric J. Smith, Los Angeles
Earlier this year, Los Angeles-based photographer Eric J. Smith was able to capture the incredibly rare moment of a surfacing humpback whale just a f...
Learn MoreCheers To: Richard Wright, Wright Auction House
When imagining an auction house, we tend to think about galleries like Sotheby’s or Christies—international art businesses that have curated and sol...
Learn MoreFeatured Bartender: Hirohito Arai of Nekomataya
A few weeks ago, KOVAL was able to participate in The Tokyo Bar Show for the first time. One of the first to bring bars, mixologists, and spirit makers ...
Learn MoreHow To: The Perfect Negroni
Celebrate Negroni Week with this recipe for a classic Negroni cocktail featuring KOVAL spirits.
Learn MoreCheers To: Tanner Woodford, Chicago Design Museum
It’s strange to grasp the concept that the Chicago Design Museum started as a magazine in Phoenix, Arizona —until you talk to Co-founder and Chair...
Learn MoreCheers To: Argonne National Laboratory - To Build A Better Battery
Note: This article is part of KOVAL’s “Innovation Month.” While KOVAL continues to change the way people think about whiskey, we're highlighting think...
Learn MoreHow To: "The Magnificent Mule"
A tribute to Chicago's historical Michigan Avenue, the 'Magnificent Mule' cocktail is a simple and refreshing way to kickoff Memorial Day Weekend. Cheer...
Learn More'Mad Men'-Inspired Cocktails at the Sportsman's Club: Interview with Jeff Donahue
From Western Avenue just between the Humbolt Park and Ukrainian Village neighborhoods, the Sportsman’s Club doesn’t look like much more than a clas...
Learn MoreNick Gerber for KOVAL: Innovation in Pilsen
This month, KOVAL has been exploring groundbreaking innovation in technology, design, business, infrastructure, and beyond. After stumbling across the ...
Learn MoreHow To: The "Mother May I"
A fresh and light cocktail perfect for a Sunday afternoon on the porch, the "Mother May I" recipe is built for two. Grab some fresh strawberries, two rocks g...
Learn MoreTo Do: The 3D Printer Experience Happy Hour ft. KOVAL
Note: This article is part of KOVAL’s “Innovation Month.” While KOVAL continues to change the way people think about whiskey, we're highlighting thi...
Learn MoreCheers To: Jen Myers, Founder of Code & Cupcakes
Code & Cupcakes workshop. Photo credit: Brent Knepper Note: This article is part of KOVAL’s “Innovation Month.” While KOVAL continues to change...
Learn MoreHow To: The Perfect Mint Julep
Just because we're not from Kentucky doesn't mean we don't know how to make a mean Mint Julep. Alex Diimig, KOVAL's resident mixologist, treats Bourbon the s...
Learn MoreFeatured Bartender: Tim Wells of Revival Social Club
Nestled northeast of the tree-lined residential streets in the Lakewood Balmoral district and south of the bustling Loyola University campus lay Chicago...
Learn MoreInterview with Chef Mark Sparacino of Prosecco Restaurant
On Thursday, March 26th, KOVAL is excited to join chef Mark Sparacino of Prosecco Restaurant for a special dinner...
Learn MoreTo Do: WhiskyWeek Chicago - KOVAL at Delilah's
When you first walk into Delilah's—nestled somewhere between Lakeview and Lincoln Park on Lincoln Avenue just South of Diversey—you get the sense th...
Learn MoreInterview with Chefs Kim Leali + Amanda Rockman of Nico Osteria
This Thursday night, we're excited to join chefs Kim Leali and Amanda Rockman of Nico Osteria for a special dinner...
Learn MoreFeatured Bartender: John Chesney of The Green Door Tavern
Hidden in the basement of the building adjacent to one of the oldest bars in Chicago—The Green Door Tavern—is The Drifter, one of Chicago’s origin...
Learn MoreA Salute to Lesser Known Presidents: 6 Cocktails Inspired by Presidents' Favorite Drinks
No matter if they were Democrats or Republicans, a two-termer or impeached, a Founding Father or the first Internet President, the majority of United State...
Learn MoreValentine's Day in Chicago: KOVAL's Picks for Every Kind of Date
Whether you're a romantic or a cynic, you can't deny that Chicago is a great city for love. There's something for everyone to keep themselves busy on Valen...
Learn More6 More Weeks of Cocktails
This morning, Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his cozy burrow, saw his tiny shadow, and predicted six more weeks or w...
Learn More5 Big-Batch Cocktails to Make This New Year's Eve
All takes on the classic French 75, these easy-to-make, large-batch cocktail recipes are all meant to be shaken, strained to a flute, and topped with sp...
Learn MoreThe 8 Cocktails of Hanukkah
Lampwick 1 oz KOVAL Oat Whiskey 1/2 oz Dark Rum 1/2 oz Falernum (or clove syrup) 1/2 oz lime juice 3 dashes Ginger Bitters Mix on the rocks Gelty ...
Learn MoreTake Five: Interview with Devin Kidner of a HOLLOW LEG
When I first joined the team at KOVAL and learned about our collaboration with A Hollow Leg...
Learn More“Take Five” Interview with Jay Michael of FLATS Chicago
Last week, we headed over to adjoining Uptown neighborhood for the opening of FLATS Studio’s most recent community art exhibit, PoorTraits. Supported ...
Learn MoreImagine : 88th Annual Fashion Show
The Woman's Board at Rush University Medical Center made donating look good at their 88th annual fashion show. Held on October 2nd at Morgan Manufacturing...
Learn MoreCapturing Chicago
KOVAL's founders left their careers in part because they wanted to create something beautiful in Chicago...
Learn MoreForging Ahead - Modern Chicago Architecture
Chicago is known as the cradle of modern architecture. Some of the most innovative architects in the world made Chicago the showplace for their designs. Icon...
Learn MoreFriday with Clear Creek Distillery
Last Friday, the distillery was filled with sound; the sound of Louisiana men making plans for their distillery, mulling and clucking over blueprints, the ch...
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