Chicago Rye - unaged grain whiskey

[Jono]

http://www.koval-distillery.com/products/grain-spirits/rye-chicago

Wondering if any Chicago SBers have tried this?

Produced by Koval Distillery in Chicago....see the site for other distilled grain products.

Unfortunately, it is not available in my local Binny's...a trip to a suburban Binny's is required.

[Lost Pollito]

Take a trip to meet them. They distill about 10 minutes walking time from my apt., and are very nice. The spirit is fantastic, but the ginger liqueuer is my favorite along with the rye vodka.

[Jono]

Can the McHenry Binny's get the product shipped to them?

They are not listed on the available buy stores.

[tommyboy38]

I cast another vote for the ginger liquer. Nice stuff.

[Lost Pollito]

Can the McHenry Binny's get the product shipped to them?

They are not listed on the available buy stores.

Possibly. I'll check for you . I've liked everything they've made. It's certified Kosher and Organic, so it's all clean and quite tasty.

[Jono]

Thanks...shoot me a PM.

[cowdery]

Well, I did a drive-by. It looks like they are still under construction. All the best to 'em. Where are people getting the money for this sort of thing? I can't believe it's that lucrative.

[Jono]

http://www.koval-distillery.com/about-us

If you read about Robert's background in the above About section... it shows that his family in Austria has a long history in distilling and was in government for awhile.....I might guess that he has some family resources. Plus whatever his wife and other family members may have invested.

The Kothe stills and equipment look gorgeous....and expensive. What would say is the minimum to start such an operation...especially in Chicago?

$3-5 million?

[Jono]

Since Binny's had a 15% off coupon this weekend I visited the Algonquin, IL store....opened this past spring...very nice, extremely well stocked...including very pricey single malts....$4,999 Black Bowmore and others.

Heeding my wife ...."don't go crazy"...I picked up three new for me additions...Parker's Heritage, Aberlour A'bun adh and this local distillery product - "Organic" Chicago Rye spirit by Koval.

Put in the freezer until cold

40% abv

Crystal clear - looks like water, leaves a nice film on the glass

Nose - a typical grain spirit nose but the rye grain adds a hard to describe nutty, mellow note, not overtly sweet. Some tasters have indicated a vanilla note...to me maybe a hint of a vanilla extract aftertaste.

Palate - grain spirit in evidence (the element in many Canadian whiskeys I find somewhat off putting), very smooth, the nutty, mellowness comes through.

This would probably make a nice martini or cocktail base....essentially it is a rye vodka...but a decent sipper. Nothing like a rye whiskey in taste..boo hoo...probably similar to a rye whitedog.

Store this in a mini bourbon barrel for 4+ years...there might be an interesting change.

http://www.gapersblock.com/drivethru/2009/05/08/distilled_waters_run_deep/

Feature Fri May 08 2009

Distilled Waters Run Deep

[tmckenzie]

That guy is the dealer in the country for those stills. Did it stay crystal clear when you put it in the freezer?

[Lost Pollito]

I suspect it was clear in the freezer, but I didn't mind. Just had some Millet, and an oat spirit. Very nice and refreshing on a summer night. I'd like to taste them with some wood, but it is what it is. Pretty enjoyable.

[enn]

It looks like they are about to release some slightly aged whiskey (rye and oat): http://lionspridewhiskey.com/. The release party is next week so I assume it is not yet for sale, but has anyone had a chance to try it?

[White Dog]

It looks like they are about to release some slightly aged whiskey (rye and oat): http://lionspridewhiskey.com/. The release party is next week so I assume it is not yet for sale, but has anyone had a chance to try it?

I haven't tried it yet, but Cowdery has. Check out Chuck's blog.

[cowdery]

They had a trade preview party last night at In Fine Spirits, 5418 N. Clark, which has it on sale now. Other stores in the Chicago area should have it by the end of the week. The official public launch party is Saturday at Delilah's.

[enn]

Thanks -- that's not far from me, I may stop by to grab a bottle tomorrow.