Whisky Review/Tasting: Koval Millet

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Type: Single Barrel Whiskey.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Distilled from 100% millet, a cereal grain from Asia and Africa, and matured in fresh American white oak barrels from Minnesota.
Age Statement: Not specified.
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the whiskey is implied to have clarity and color typical of bourbons matured in fresh American oak.
Bottle Design: Half-liter content, with specific mention of being barrel 393. The design specifics are not detailed, but it's noted as being produced and bottled by Koval Incorporated.
Certification: Certified organic by Midwest Organic Services Association Incorporated, though there are legal disputes in Europe regarding its organic status under EU law (EG 834/2007).

Balance of Flavors: Described as complex, with a notable absence of the corn sweetness found in typical bourbons, replaced by a unique "milletness."
Unique Characteristics: The whiskey showcases flavors of open fresh cereals, caramel, and aromatic American white oak. It lacks the corn sweetness of bourbon but has a distinct profile with millet's influence.
Comparison: Likened to a typical bourbon in terms of its use of fresh American white oak but stands out due to its unique grain base and the absence of corn sweetness.

Production Innovation: Koval Distillery's choice to use 100% millet, a grain commonly found in Asia and Africa, for whiskey production is highlighted as a novel and innovative approach in the whiskey industry.
Organic Certification: The narrative includes a discussion on the whiskey's organic certification and the legal nuances affecting its recognition as organic in Europe.

Geographical Origin: The whiskey's production in Chicago, near the Great Lakes, and its maturation in Minnesota-sourced barrels, ties its identity to the American Midwest.
Cultural Innovation: The use of millet, a grain not traditionally associated with whiskey production in the West, signifies a cultural blending and innovation, bringing a global perspective to American whiskey-making.

"A very interesting single malt millet whiskey and the first I had in my life." - Horst Luening, highlighting the uniqueness of the Koval Millet whiskey.
"It's like a typical bourbon but without the corn sweetness." - Comparison to bourbon, emphasizing the distinct flavor profile due to millet.

Koval Millet is a unique single barrel whiskey distilled from 100% millet by Koval Distillery in Chicago, matured in fresh American white oak barrels.
It is certified organic, with a complex flavor profile that includes fresh cereals, caramel, and a hint of oakiness, lacking the typical corn sweetness of bourbon.
The whiskey represents an innovative approach to whiskey-making by using millet, offering a distinct taste experience.
Its production and organic certification story, along with its cultural and geographical ties to the American Midwest, add depth to its identity.
Horst Luening's review emphasizes the whiskey's uniqueness and its worth despite a higher price point.

Whiskey Enthusiasts Looking for Unique Flavors: Individuals interested in exploring unconventional grain bases in whiskey.
Organic Product Consumers: Those who prioritize organic certification in their spirit selections.
Bourbon Lovers Open to Variation: Bourbon aficionados curious about similar profiles without the corn sweetness.
World Whiskey Explorers: Enthusiasts interested in how different cultures and grains influence whiskey production.