The husband-and-wife team of Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart founded KOVAL in 2008 as the first distillery to open in the Chicago city limits since the mid-19th century. KOVAL aims to bring heightened creativity to the world of spirits, utilizing unique, locally-sourced grains and a “heart cut” approach to distilling. This blossomed into a line of organic and kosher whiskeys, gins and specialty spirits that have racked up more than 100 international awards. KOVAL operated for several years out of two locations on Ravenswood Avenue, utilizing their smaller original space for educational tours, cocktail classes and shopping. In 2020 the two locations were consolidated under one roof at 4241 N. Ravenswood Avenue.
