KOVAL Distillery

KOVAL is one of America’s largest artisan distilleries and winner of over 50 international awards. KOVAL pioneered a new school of distilling in the US that focuses on using only the heart cut of the distillate. The heart cut is the purest, most grain forward portion of the distillate, affording KOVAL its signature clean, bright style. KOVAL is also known for its use of unique and interesting grains, inspiring Wine Enthusiast to name the distillery a “leader of the alt-grain scene.” All of KOVAL’s whiskies are single barrel and aged in 30 gallon barrels of New American Oak, and in turn, each bottle can be traced back to the field on which the grain was grown. All of KOVAL’s whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs are certified Organic and Kosher and made from grain to bottle in Chicago.

Author: Caroline Porsiel

Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.