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Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon is a solid recommendation for anyone looking for a bright and lively bourbon.
The Castle & Key 6-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon has already garnered prestigious accolades in 2025, securing Gold Medals from the American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards, New York International Spirits Competition and the IWSC
In July 2025, Castle & Key announced the release of their latest Small Batch Bourbon. Located on the historic former site of the Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key began distilling again in 2016 and later released Small Batch Bourbon in 2022. Compared to the original version, the newest batch comes with two additional years of aging, increasing from 4 years to 6, and an increase in proof from 98 to 101
The bourbon has really progressed from its original form, but maintained its unique underlying flavor profile and liveliness that’s most characterized by the summer fruit, citrus, and orange notes mixed in throughout its sip. The age tempers them a bit, bringing deeper notes of graham cracker, caramel, and toffee. Castle & Key Small Batch is a really good bourbon with its own unique style that is an easy recommendation
Nose: Bright summer fruits | Honey | Caramel | Graham cracker | Light & sweet
Palate: Caramel | Baking spices | Golden raisin | Light citrus | Bright & lively
Finish: Cinnamon | Toffee | Graham cracker | Orange peel | Butterscotch
Housed on the historic grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key is a beacon of reinvention. In 2022, the distillery introduced its first bourbon, a 4-year-old expression, marking the first bourbon distilled and released on-site in nearly 50 years. The new 6-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon represents a significant evolution, showcasing richer flavours and meticulous blending after years of careful aging.
Castle & Key’s mission is to restore and reimagine a tradition that began on these grounds over 140 years ago: bourbon as an act of hospitality.
Set on the historic site of the Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key produces premium bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka in a place designed for gathering. Every detail, from our castle and grounds to our bottles and hand-crafted spirits, brings artistry to life.
In 1887
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. established the Old Taylor Distillery with a radical idea for its time. Distilleries were functional, industrial places often closed to the public. Taylor believed it could be something more. As the pioneer of bourbon hospitality, he envisioned his distillery as a premier bourbon destination.
Inspired by his travels through Europe, he built not just a distillery, but an experience. A Scottish-style castle rose from the Kentucky River valley. Sunken gardens invited guests to linger. A springhouse, inspired by Roman bathhouses, was constructed in the shape of a key because Taylor believed the limestone water flowing beneath it was the “key to great bourbon.”
Guests were welcomed onto the property through an exclusive rail line, where they were greeted with lavish parties and, of course, his world-famous spirits, which he credited as the “sign of a good host.”
In doing so, Taylor didn’t just change how bourbon was made. He changed how it was shared. Bourbon tourism, and bourbon hospitality itself, were born here.
After Taylor’s death, the distillery fell silent. The castle crumbled. The gardens were overtaken. For decades, the property stood forgotten. Its story paused.
In 2012, co-founder Will Arvin and a small group of visionaries discovered the abandoned distillery. Where others saw decay, they saw possibility. Stepping onto the grounds, Will recognized more than a restoration project. He saw a philosophy worth reviving.
Over the next four years, the team undertook a meticulous restoration of the property. Wherever possible, original wood, brick, and metal were preserved, honoring the site’s honest craftsmanship. Historic integrity was paired with bold imagination, bringing the Castle and its grounds back to life with an eye toward innovation and sustainability. The team didn’t just restore the distillery. They revived its spirit. Guided by Colonel Taylor’s tradition of bourbon hospitality, Castle & Key invites guests to tour the grounds, explore the gardens, enjoy a cocktail, and linger in a setting designed for connection.
Today, Castle & Key carries forward both our site’s legacy and Will’s vision, honoring tradition without being bound by it. That same mindset shapes how we build for the future, working thoughtfully with the land, the community, and the resources around us.
Every spirit we produce is made on site, slowly and intentionally. Nothing is left to chance. From distilling and aging to blending and packaging, every step of the process is meticulously woven with passion, precision, and imagination. We source our grains from farms throughout Kentucky, keeping our process close to home and deeply connected to the people and places that surround us. Every detail, from the revival of the Castle to the design of the bottle, is an invitation toward our shared purpose—to bring people together.
*please allow 7-14 days for delivery of this item
71.35% ABV
75cl
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jun 27 - Jul 2
US$40
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