Highlights
Indulge in a vivid tour through innovative spirit creation where every drop reflects a fusion of legacy, artistry, and organic passion.
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About This Deal
At KOVAL Distillery, every sip of their finely crafted spirits tells a story of passion and heritage. Guests are invited behind the scenes to witness a precise grain‑to‑bottle process that marries Austrian distilling traditions with contemporary flair, creating an experience that is as informative as it is engaging.
What We Offer
- Koval Distillery 45-minute Tour (a tasting of 3 KOVAL spirits) for 1, 2, or 4 People
- Private Koval Distillery 45-minute Tour (a tasting of 3 KOVAL spirits) for Up to 10 Guests
Why You Should Grab The Offer
At KOVAL Distillery, history and innovation blend to create an immersive journey through craft spirit mastery. Founded in 2008 by a visionary husband‑and‑wife team (Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart), this Chicago pioneer employs a meticulous grain‑to‑bottle process and signature “heart cut” techniques that transform organic grains into exceptional spirits steeped in heritage.
The tours provide an engaging, behind‑the‑scenes look at the craft that has garnered international recognition and countless awards. Guests discover the dedication to innovative distilling methods and exquisite flavor profiles, making each visit a celebration of the rich legacy and creative spirit that defines this unique distillery. The experience culminates with a tasting of 3 KOVAL spirits. Please note that this tour is 45 minutes long and is a standing tour (seating is available upon request).
Check out the process of grain to bottle in a visual representation here
Fine Print
About Visit the Famous Koval Distillery
Robert Birnecker and Sonat Birnecker-Hart are devoted to the art of distilling. For Robert, it’s a family tradition: he still treasures memories of his grandparents’ award-winning Austrian distillery, where he often helped out as a child. A graduate of Oxford and the University of London, Robert's wife, Sonat, gave up a tenured academic position to pursue the couple’s dream of making their own spirits from scratch. Today, Robert and Sonat’s award-winning Koval Distillery is the first to open in Chicago’s city limits since Prohibition. There, they blend classic, mainstream techniques with contemporary, indie methods, ensuring quality by using only certified organic and kosher ingredients grown in the Midwest.
Using a Kothe potstill custom-made and hand-built in Germany, the husband-and-wife team produces small-batch spirits, including five original white whiskeys made from rye, oat, wheat, millet, and spelt mash.These spirits have won multiple local and national awards, from Whisky Magazine’s 100 Greatest Distilleries to Visit to the Chicago Reader’s Best Local Distillery.