I understand why anyone would ask what is Castle and Key Distillery. Castle and Key is a fairly new organization operating at the site of a very old distillery. Despite being a developing brand, Castle & Key has a lot to offer visitors. Castle & Key doesn’t just offer bourbon; they also offer an assortment of gin, vodka, and rye whiskey. This provides some variety on a bourbon-tasting trip (see our Kentucky Bourbon Sampler Itinerary). This distillery is sure to satisfy members of your party who prefer other spirits. The following is a review of my visit to the Castle and Key Distillery.
History
As mentioned above, Castle and Key resides on the site of a previously famous distillery: Old Taylor Distillery. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. built Old Taylor Distillery in 1887. The distillery was designed as a destination for tourists. This is the reason that a castle was built on the property. The grounds were also immaculately gardened for the same reasons.
In 1972, Old Taylor Distillery was shuttered and fell into disrepair. Those who are familiar with the Colonel E.H. Taylor whiskey brand will know that all the barrels and the label were sold to Buffalo Trace. Because the property did not have a whiskey label associated with it, the current owners of Castle and Key bought the property and began a renovation in 2015. The distillery started to produce spirits in 2016 and opened to visitors in 2018. In the preceding three years, large portions of the castle, distillery, and grounds were completely transformed into a destination to visit. While the spirits produced are good at Castle and Key, the architecture, buildings, and grounds are almost a reason to come unto themselves.
Tour, Tasting, or Something Else?
For those visiting Castle and Key Distillery, there are a variety of experiences offered. A traditional distillery experience is available to tour the buildings and receive a small tasting. However, Castle and Key is well known for some of their alternative experiences so it would be wise to look at a few of these before making a decision to take the tour.
The visitor’s center is a point of entry for the guests going on a tour. While those not going on a tour don’t have to go through this area, I recommend that you do. The visitor’s center and Store is located in the old boiler room of the property. This room has been recreated in a very industrial and tasteful feel. This is also where visitors are able to pick up bottles of bourbon, rye, gin, or vodka produced by Castle and Key.
No matter if you do the tour, tasting, or something else the springhouse on the property is a must-visit. This springhouse is built in the shape of a key (hence the second part of the Castle and Key name). It is the source of water that was used at the Old Taylor Distillery. For Castle and Key, it is also the source of water for all the spirits that they produce. This unique structure is great for pictures and a nice shady spot for enjoying a cocktail.
Tour
The standard tour at Castle and Key Distillery is called “The Distillery Experience.” This one-hour tour provides guests an opportunity to experience some of the old buildings that compose the current distillery. Various buildings are still in the process of being renovated so not all areas can be explored at the current time. However, tour participants are able to see a lot of the 1900s distillery equipment which has been retained and slightly updated. The tour also includes a guided walk through the Sunken Garden. This garden cultivates a number of the botanicals that are used in the gin produced by Castle and Key. In addition, the grounds are very well kept and create great photo opportunities.
The tour wraps up with a tasting experience in the Taylorton Station tasting room. Unlike many tastings on the bourbon trail, this tasting has a few variations. The spirits being sampled rotate with some regularity. However, there is almost always a bourbon pour, a rye pour, and a gin/vodka-based drink. In the fall of 2022, the tasting includes a seasonal gin and tonic.
The tours start every 30 minutes between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Because a maximum of only 16 people are allowed on each tour, reservations are recommended. Each tour costs $30 per person. This is one of the more expensive tour and tasting experiences; however, I don’t believe it is completely out of line with the value provided. While I did not partake in the tour during my visit to Castle and Key, I see how some people would enjoy this experience.
Tasting
In contrast to the vast majority of the distilleries in Kentucky, Castle and Key doesn’t offer a guided tasting experience. Instead, the distillery offers a self-directed tasting that can be purchased at their bar. This is an interesting take, but it works out well in my opinion.
Anyone is allowed access to the distillery grounds and visitor’s center without a reservation. This provides everyone the opportunity to enjoy the gardens, the castle architecture, the springhouse, and the river (including all the various seating areas as well). Also located on the grounds is Counter 17, the on-site bar. Counter 17 will provide half-ounce pours of any Castle and Key spirit for $3 each. This can be a great way to try three or four spirits for a respectable price. This option also doesn’t have a reservation required which is great for those last-minute “planners”. The only difference in this type of tasting is that you won’t get the guide and professional tasting notes. Some may prefer to explore the spirits on their own.
Finally, Counter 17 also offers a rotating selection of cocktails that can be enjoyed on the property. These almost always include an Old Fashioned and a Gin and Tonic. A couple of other options are traditionally available as well. I highly recommend coming to Castle and Key for this modified tasting experience. Visitors don’t need reservations, the experience is only as expensive as you make it, any time during opening hours is available, and the atmosphere is very relaxing and tranquil compared to many of the rigid tours and tastings elsewhere. Several yard games are also available around Counter 17 to provide a nice change of pace for a bourbon trail tour.
Something Else
Many of the experiences at Castle and Key already feel like they belong in the something else category. This is what sets Castle and Key apart. However, they have a few other experiences worth mentioning here. These experiences rotate regularly so it’s hard to count on a particular one. Be sure to check what is available when you are planning to visit. Some examples of events that are available in September 2022 include Yoga in the Sunken Garden and Walk in the Ruins (although this walk is very expensive unless you have a group of about ten people).
Reservation Process
While visitors will only need a reservation if they choose to do the tour and tasting, reservations are easily available from the website: https://castleandkey.com/pages/all-properties. Castle and Key has limited dates available for the tours so this is a location where it would be advantageous to book tours well ahead of time. An example of how quickly tours fill up, as of September 25th, there are only seven spots open in the whole month of October. All of these are single spots on different dates and times which means a group of two or more have no options unless they split up. November has some dates with two and three spots available on several tour times, but availability is still scarce. Therefore, visitors should look to book tours at least 2 – 3 months out (and really more if you have the trip planned that early).
Cost
A tour and guided tasting of the Castle and Key distillery will cost $30 per visitor. However, one of the appeals of Castle and Key is that the cost can be whatever you want it to be. Visitors can have a free experience if they just want to explore the grounds, walk the gardens, and visit the visitor’s center. For only a little more, visitors can enjoy a tasting or cocktail while relaxing for about $10 per drink or $9 for three tasting pours. Because of these options, Castle and Key is a great option for any group.
