KOVAL Distillery sits in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, operating out of a 10,000-square-foot facility that houses both production and their tasting room. Founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Robert and Sonat Birnecker, KOVAL became Chicago’s first distillery since the mid-1800s. Robert left his academic career in Austria while Sonat stepped away from her work as a conflict negotiator to dive into craft distilling. They named their operation after Robert’s great-grandfather’s nickname, and from the start, they committed to using only organic grains and a 100% heart cut process, discarding the heads and tails that many distilleries blend back in. The couple started with a 500-gallon copper pot still from Germany and expanded to include a 2,000-gallon whiskey still as demand grew. Their lineup spans whiskey, gin, vodka, and specialty spirits, all made from organic grains sourced from a collective of Midwest farmers. What began as a bold experiment in bringing artisanal distilling back to Chicago has evolved into one of the city’s most recognized craft spirit producers. The facility doubles as both working distillery and visitor destination, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting you watch the production process during tours.