Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon
Welcome, fellow bourbon enthusiasts, to the spirited universe of Castle & Key!
If you're a bourbon lover with a penchant for history, like myself, and a taste for the extraordinary, Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon is a bottle that should undoubtedly find its way into your collection. I first learned of Castle & Key while watching a documentary on, you guessed it, Bourbon. NEAT was the doc, and it delivered a massive amount of info that ultimately directed me toward this fantastic distillery. Steeped in history, curated by the skilled hands of Marianne Barnes, Castle & Key is more than just a whiskey; it's a journey through time and flavor.
Before we dive into the tantalizing tasting notes, let's take a brief stroll down the corridors of time that make Castle & Key so unique. This will be brief because, much like a dated sports team, the grounds have seen father time and have passed through some talented hands. The distillery is nestled in the outskirts of Frankfort, Kentucky, about ten miles from the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in the historic grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery, a landmark with roots tracing back to the late 1800s. It's a place where history echoes in every creak of the barrel house and whispers in the rustle of the surrounding botanical gardens. In 2014 Castle & Key was erected, and the restoration of the grounds began after being vacant for almost 100 years!
At the forefront of the team was Marianne Eaves (Barnes), the first female Master Distiller in Kentucky at the age of 28, as the brilliant mind behind Castle & Key's revival. Her expertise and passion have resurrected this once-abandoned gem, bringing it back to life with a dedication to craft and quality despite leaving the distillery to pursue other challenges. More on Marianne and the history of C&K in a later blog!
Now to the bourbon tasting! This bottle's been with me for a bit, and I've tried it every which way - neat, with a few drops of water (which really brings out more flavors, by the way), on the rocks, mixed into cocktails, and even tried smoking it with different kinds of wood chips. I recommend trying your bourbon, whiskey, or whisky in many different ways. Elmer T. Lee (I’ll write a blog on him one day) used to like his bourbon on the rocks with 7-Up. So if someone frowns at you for putting coke in your Blantons or adding water to your scotch, it’s ok. It just means that are not a good friend!
When you pour yourself a glass, it's got this beautiful, deep amber color that kinda reminds you of the sunset if you were looking out over some hills in Kentucky. Give it a swirl, and you'll see it's got these thick legs that drip down slowly, which usually means it's going to be nice and rich.
Now, for the smell - it's pretty complex. It took me a while to pick everything out because there's a lot going on. You get vanilla and caramel for sure, with a little bit of that charred wood smell. Then there's this fresh, doughy scent and something that reminds me of citrus. It's like a whole bunch of smells coming together in a way that just works.
Tasting it is where it really shines, at least for me. It hits you with all these flavors - creamy toffee, dark chocolate, maybe some dried fruit like peaches, and I think even a bit of honeysuckle. There's a bit of spice too, but not too much for me. However, if you're not big into spicy bourbons, you might want to add a bit of water or a small ice cube to mellow it out.
The aftertaste sticks with you, warm and complex. That oak flavor really makes a statement, reminding you of all the time it spent aging. It's got a spicy kick to it, which my father-in-law wasn't too keen on, but my brother-in-law loved it. It just goes to show that not every bourbon is going to be everyone's cup of tea.
In conclusion, Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon is a testament to the marriage of history and craftsmanship. Marianne Eaves has woven a tapestry of flavors that pays homage to the legacy of the Old Taylor Distillery. So, the next time you find yourself in the company of this exquisite bourbon, savor not just the taste but the stories it whispers with every drop. Cheers to the past, present, and future of this fine bourbon!
The Details:
Proof: 98 • Mashbill: 73% White Corn • 10% Rye • 17% Malted Barley • Aged: 4yrs • Price: $50
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 2 • Palate: 3 • Finish: 3 • Uniqueness: 4 • Value: 4 • Overall: 3.2
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover. 