KOVAL

Robert Birnecker and Sonat Birnecker Hart opened KOVAL in Chicago in 2008, reported then as the city's first distillery since Prohibition. Birnecker has since helped set up more than 190 distilleries through Kothe Distilling Technologies.

KOVAL's bourbon is 51 percent corn and 49 percent millet, where nearly every other bourbon uses rye or wheat. Millet gives it a dry, tart edge in place of rye pepper or wheat softness. KOVAL keeps only the heart of each run, a rule from European fruit brandy, and ages in 30 gallon barrels, more wood in less time. Grains are organic, certified by MOSA. Every bottle is one numbered barrel at 94 proof.