Castle and Key - Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
$55
Castle and Key – Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Batch No: 6
Proof: 97
Age: 4
Distillery: Castle and Key
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 73% Corn, 17% Barley, 10% Rye (Based on Prior Batches)
Website: Castle and Key
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Charred Oak, Stone Fruits, Raisin, Vanilla, & Honey. Overall Light on the nose with a small bit of Spice.
Taste/Palate: Light and Dry. Lemongrass, Grain, and Raisins come fist. Dry Charred Oak, White Pepper and a hint of Vanilla in the mid palate.
Finish: Some of the edgier flavors tone down (Lemongrass & White Pepper) and make way for a little more body and sweetness. At the tail end of this dram your left with traditional caramel and a touch of oak. White Pepper is still nestled in throughout the palate.
Verdict: This is a fun and light bourbon that doesn’t disappoint, but it also doesn’t “wow”. It’s a solid pour and has nice packaging with the bottle, but I feel there are much better bottles out there in this price point. But… Given what was put into this distillery to get to this point I will give them a pass on the price.
The Story: I visited Castle and Key Distillery many years ago. It was just recently re-opened and I did a self tour. I looked everywhere and kept thinking to myself. Where’s the Bourbon? Well, I quickly found out that they distillery appears to be very old, but the new occupants weren’t there long enough to produce a whiskey that was old enough to be considered bourbon. The day is here. The days of supplementing the distillery with neutral spirits are over and now they are pumping out the brown water. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time that when they are putting out special editions and higher age statements. They aren’t doing anything wrong in my opinion. I’ll sit back and patiently wait to see what else is coming out of this up and coming distillery.
The Distillery’s Story: “In 1887, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr build a new kind of distillery destination in Millville, KY. Inspired by European architecture, the site featured a Castle, a classical Springhouse, and a sunken garden. What he build became the birthplace of bourbon tourism.
Prohibition forces the closing of the distillery in 1920. Over the next century, the property changed owners and occupants several times, eventually falling into ruin.
In 2012, Will Arvin came across photographs of the abandoned distillery. He couldn’t stop thinking about it’s legacy and potential. He decided to visit the property to see for himself.”
It was decided in 2014 to purchase the distillery and first they had to rehab the property before they could start pushing out spirits. Vodkas and Gins were first since they don’t require aging. This allowed them to supplement operating costs while the bourbon ages.
I can confirm that the place looks great and it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. I found it right in between Woodford Reserve and Frankfort on a scenic winding road. The visit wasn’t even on my itinerary. I drove past and decided to pop in. Worth it.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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