Castle & Key Distillery
About Castle & Key Distillery
Is that a castle sitting in the middle of bourbon country? Yes, it is. After moving on from the Old Fire Copper Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) in 1887, Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. decided it was time to build a showpiece distillery. Abandoned in 1972, the distillery sat idle for years and was being dismantled for scrap. It took the vision and investment of Will Arvin and Wes Murry to bring this magnificent property back to life.
As of 2020, Castle & Key tours focus on gin, as their bourbon has not yet reached maturity. I have attempted to keep this guide to just distilleries where you can try bourbons, but no tour of Kentucky would be complete without the marketing genius of Col. E.H. Taylor Jr.
I took the higher-priced tour because it includes a walk through the sunken garden and down to Warehouse B, the world’s longest rickhouse. The smaller tour focuses on the distillery. Both tours end with a cocktail and a walk through the gift shop.
As seen in "Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon."
Take a Whisky Flight to Castle & Key Distillery
Map to Distillery
Note: This distillery information is provided “as is” and is intended for initial research only. Be aware, offerings change without notice and distilleries periodically shut down or suspend services. Always use the distillery’s websites to get the most detailed and up-to-date information. Your due diligence will ensure the smoothest experience possible.