Popular Kentucky Distilleries: Castle & Key Distillery

OriginFrankfort, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerSkurnik Wines and Spirits
Established1887
OwnershipWill Arvin & Wes Murray

Introduction

Castle & Key Distillery, with its rich history dating back to 1887 when Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. established the Old Taylor Distillery, has seen a remarkable journey of revival and innovation. Notable for its popular products like Restoration Rye Whiskey, Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and the aged Wheated Bourbon, the distillery has captured the essence of Kentucky’s distilling heritage. The timeline of events, from the challenging Prohibition era to the grand reopening in 2016 and subsequent releases like Restoration Rye in 2020 and the Small Batch Bourbon in 2022, showcases a commitment to tradition and excellence.

Key figures like Colonel Taylor and Marianne Barnes Eaves, the first female master distiller post-Prohibition, have left indelible marks on Castle & Key’s legacy. The distillery’s emphasis on local ingredients and its support for diversity through initiatives like The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey further solidify its position as a beacon of quality and inclusivity in the whiskey world.

Restoration Rye Whiskey: A rye whiskey with a mash bill of 63% rye, 17% corn, and 20% malted barley.

Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: It has a mash bill of 73% white corn, 10% rye, and 17% malted barley. Several batches have been released since 2022.

Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon: A small batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that has been aged for 5 years.

Timeline

  • 1887: Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. establishes the Old Taylor Distillery in Millville, Kentucky.
  • 1920: Prohibition forces the closure of the distillery.
  • 1972: The distillery is abandoned and falls into disrepair.
  • 2012: Will Arvin purchases the Old Taylor Distillery with a vision to restore it.
  • 2014: Restoration work begins on the historic distillery.
  • 2016: Castle & Key Distillery officially starts operations.
  • 2018: Grand Opening of Castle & Key Distillery to visitors.
  • 2020: Release of Restoration Rye, the first aged whiskey product.
  • March 2022: Release of Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Famous Product Releases

  • Restoration Rye: First aged whiskey product released in December 2020.
  • Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Released in March 2022.

Important People in Distillery History

  • Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr.: Founder of the Old Taylor Distillery in 1887.
  • Marianne Barnes Eaves: First female master distiller since Prohibition, played a key role at Castle & Key.

Significant Historical Events

  • Acquisition of the distillery trademark rights and remaining stocks by Buffalo Trace in June 2009.
  • Renovation and restoration of the distillery starting in 2015, leading to its reopening in 2016.
  • Creation of Castle & Key as a new brand associated with the restored distillery.

Interviews with People at the Distillery

  • Marianne Barnes Eaves: Played a crucial role as the first female master distiller at Castle & Key.

Other Information

  • Castle & Key focuses on using local ingredients and carefully selected grains for their products.
  • The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey collaboration supports diversity and inclusion within the distilling industry through a scholarship fund.

Sources


[1] https://whiskipedia.com/distilleries/castle-and-key/
[2] https://breakfastwithnick.com/2023/03/07/castle-and-key-distillery-tour/
[3] https://sippinghistory.com/2022/04/24/castle-and-key-distillery/
[4] https://www.castleandkey.com/craft-and-heritage/a-brief-history
[5] https://www.castleandkey.com/products/untold-story