Koval Bourbon coming 12/5/12

[Jono]

"KOVAL BOURBON IS HERE!"

"It's here! Our long-awaited Bourbon will be available starting December 5th at the Distillery Store."

I am sure it is going to be young - 2 years? - as it could not have been aging that long since the distillery started in 2008

and they did not initiate the whiskey right away.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Jono

[stevegoz]

Has anyone taken the plunge?

[thiemb]

I haven't seen it at any stores yet but I'll probably pass for now. I've already got a couple young craft bourbons in the cabinet and those bottles just don't seem to empty as quickly as the others.

[Dolph Lundgren]

I'll pass. As much as I want these craft guys to succeed, their whiskey just doesn't cut it. One of the K&L podcasts featured the head distiller from Leopold Brothers, and he gave some esoteric reason as to why his whiskey was different and worth purchasing and so on... His reasoning along with reccomendations from David Driscol prompted me to buy a bottle (for $45). I opened it as soon as I got home, excited that it may be different from other craft distillers, and...pure young wood - it gave my throat splinters.

I've been burned one too many times by these small guys, and will not buy another 'craft' bottle until I hear that they have changed their ways and created a truely balanced whiskey.

[squire]

Long awaited by who, their loan officer?

[tanstaafl2]

There is going to be a tasting of the new Koval 47th ward "overproof" whiskey in town week after next I think. I may try to go and see what it is like.

From the website: Named after the distillery's corner of Chicago, the 47th Ward is distilled from a mash bill of rye, wheat, oat, and malted barley. This new whiskey is aged in heavily charred new oak and bottled single barrel at 94 proof. The four grains define its depth with a banana nose, creamy palate, and spicy finish.

Not sure 94 proof really qualifies as "overproof" so much as reasonable proof but that is their word for it!

[smokinjoe]

There is going to be a tasting of the new Koval 47th ward "overproof" whiskey in town week after next I think. I may try to go and see what it is like.

From the website: Named after the distillery's corner of Chicago, the 47th Ward is distilled from a mash bill of rye, wheat, oat, and malted barley. This new whiskey is aged in heavily charred new oak and bottled single barrel at 94 proof. The four grains define its depth with a banana nose, creamy palate, and spicy finish.

Not sure 94 proof really qualifies as "overproof" so much as reasonable proof but that is their word for it!

Bruce, I am going to try and make it too, if I'm in town. It beats the 38 bucks I lay down for an entire bottle of craft whiskey jsut to try it, like I usually do!

[tanstaafl2]

Bruce, I am going to try and make it too, if I'm in town. It beats the 38 bucks I lay down for an entire bottle of craft whiskey jsut to try it, like I usually do!

Let me know if you are going to make it and we will look for you! Glen may join me as well.

[squire]

Thanks for taking one for the team guys, and while you're there ask them for me why do they toss in the oats.

[tanstaafl2]

Thanks for taking one for the team guys, and while you're there ask them for me why do they toss in the oats.

I will add that one to the list!

[luther.r]

I toured their facility last year, and I asked a lot of questions. I think I annoyed the guy giving the tour a little in fact.

Their barrels are all stored inside, in a climate-controlled environment. I imagine it gets pretty warm in there in summer, but not very cold in winter.

What surprised me is that they said have no current plans to age anything long-term, which is counter to what I hear from most micros. It seems they usually sell some young juice to recoup costs, and keep some older stuff aging for later. According to this guy, that's not the plan at Koval. He gave me the line about letting the flavors of the grains really shine by aging them very gently etc...

[squire]

How gentle is the price?

[luther.r]

How gentle is the price?

~$50 gentle when I've seen it around town.

[squire]

According to my mental conversion table that's four Bartons.

[BAO]

Did a groupon tasting at Koval last year.**Brother in law bought the 47th Ward which is okay and I bought the dark wheat which is also okay. The head distiller at Koval is austrian and has a family history of distilling fruit liqueurs and other flavored alcohol. Not sure how it's going to translate to Bourbon but I am willing to give it a shot on a trial basis.

[shoshani]

According to my mental conversion table that's four Bartons.

Slightly less than four VOB BIBs here, but my money's (literally) on the VOB.

[T Comp]

According to my mental conversion table that's four Bartons.

I've caught myself computing the cost of things other than whiskey on Barton BIB or HH 6 year BIB dollars too.

[squire]

It's a measuring means I can remember.