Koval 3-Pack (Rye/Bourbon/Four-Grain Whiskey)

Koval 3-Pack (Rye/Bourbon/Four-Grain Whiskey) is a trio of 200ml bottles from Chicago's pioneering craft distillery, ranging from 40% to 47% ABV. The Four Grain expression alone earned 96 points from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible and a 92-point Top Spirit of the Year nod from Wine Enthusiast, making this set an unusually well-decorated sampler at any price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%–47%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Aged 2–4 Years  |  Distillery: KOVAL Distillery

Production & Heritage

KOVAL Distillery opened in 2008 as Chicago's first legal distillery since the mid-twentieth century. Founded by Robert and Sonat Birnecker, the operation uses certified organic grains and takes only the "heart cut" of each distillation run, discarding the heads and tails entirely. All three expressions in this pack are aged in heavily charred, 30-gallon new American oak barrels sourced from Minnesota — smaller cooperage that accelerates wood interaction and amplifies flavor development over the two-to-four-year maturation period.

Each whiskey showcases a distinctive mashbill. The Rye is 100% organic rye grain. The Bourbon pairs 51% corn with 49% millet — an unconventional secondary grain that replaces the rye or wheat found in most bourbon recipes. The Four Grain blends oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat with no corn whatsoever, setting it apart from nearly every American whiskey on the market.

Tasting Notes

Rye (40% ABV / 80 Proof)

Aroma: Maple sweetness leads, followed by baking spice, charred sugar, and toasted barrel notes. There is an approachable candy-like quality underneath the grain.

Taste: The entry is mellow and slightly sweet, with candy corn and maple flavors giving way to red pepper and clove at mid-palate. The Whiskey Wash, which scored it 92 points, called it "the little black dress of a whiskey" for its versatility.

Finish: Medium length with a classically spicy rye fade. Toasted oak lingers alongside a faint caramel warmth.

Bourbon (47% ABV / 94 Proof)

Aroma: A distinctive chalky sweetness — reviewers have compared the first impression to Smarties candy — layered with vanilla and tropical fruit.

Taste: Mango chutney and vanilla dominate the palate, a direct result of the millet's soft, creamy contribution. The millet replaces typical secondary grains and delivers a texture rarely found in bourbon.

Finish: Peppery caramel carries through a medium finish. The millet-driven creaminess persists as the spice fades.

Four Grain (47% ABV / 94 Proof)

Aroma: Banana and luscious butterscotch rise immediately, with caramel rounding out a rich, dessert-like nose.

Taste: Creamy and full on entry, developing butterscotch and caramel depth through mid-palate. The absence of corn lets the four grains — oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat — each contribute distinct texture and flavor.

Finish: A spicy clove-pepper kick closes out what is otherwise a smooth, dessert-forward whiskey. The finish is long and warming.

How to Drink the Koval 3-Pack

The 200ml format is ideal for side-by-side tasting; pour all three neat in Glencairn glasses to compare how mashbill drives flavor. Each expression also performs well in cocktails. The Rye is a natural fit for a Manhattan, where its maple sweetness and spice stand up to sweet vermouth. The Bourbon's tropical mango and vanilla notes make a compelling Whiskey Sour, adding complexity beyond standard corn-forward bourbons. The Four Grain's creamy butterscotch profile shines in an Old Fashioned, where its layered grain character rewards minimal dilution.

Best For

• Introducing a whiskey-curious friend to the range of American whiskey styles
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates unconventional mashbills
• Hosting a guided tasting flight at a dinner party
• Exploring Chicago's craft distilling scene without committing to three full bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Koval 3-Pack taste like? The three whiskeys span a wide flavor range: the Rye delivers maple and baking spice, the Bourbon brings mango chutney and vanilla from its unusual millet mashbill, and the Four Grain offers butterscotch, banana, and a clove-pepper finish.

How does Koval compare to FEW Spirits? Both are Chicago-based craft distilleries working with small barrels and distinctive grain bills, making them the city's most recognized whiskey producers. FEW tends toward a more traditional flavor profile, while Koval's use of grains like millet and its heart-cut-only distillation yield a noticeably different character.

Is the Koval 3-Pack good for beginners? The 200ml format keeps commitment low, and the range of styles — from approachable Rye to the more complex Four Grain — gives newcomers a structured way to discover what they prefer in American whiskey.

Where is Koval made? All three whiskeys are distilled, aged, and bottled at KOVAL Distillery in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The distillery was founded in 2008 and was Chicago's first legal distillery since Prohibition-era closures.

What foods pair well with the Koval 3-Pack? The Rye complements smoked salmon or charcuterie, where its spice mirrors cured-meat seasoning. The Bourbon's mango and vanilla notes pair well with Thai or Indian dishes that feature mango chutney. The Four Grain's butterscotch richness matches dark chocolate desserts, pecan pie, or aged cheddar cheese.

What sizes does the Koval 3-Pack come in? The standard pack contains three 200ml bottles — one each of Rye, Bourbon, and Four Grain. Each expression is also available individually in 750ml bottles.

Is the Koval 3-Pack worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft sampler, and given that the Four Grain alone holds a 96-point Jim Murray score and a Wine Enthusiast Top Spirit of the Year designation, the pack delivers strong critical credibility for its tier.

Why Koval 3-Pack?

This set distills KOVAL's core philosophy into three glasses: unconventional grain bills, rigorous heart-cut distillation, and aggressive small-barrel aging. The Four Grain's 96-point Jim Murray score and Wine Enthusiast Top Spirit of the Year recognition are not common achievements for a craft distillery producing whiskey aged under five years. The Bourbon's millet-based mashbill has no mainstream equivalent, and the 100% organic Rye earned 92 points from The Whiskey Wash and 91 from Wine Enthusiast. Together, the three bottles offer a genuinely educational drinking experience that maps the outer edges of American whiskey grain experimentation.