Castle & Key Distillery sits on the restored grounds of the historic Old Taylor Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, a site that dates back to 1887. Founded by Wes Murry and Will Arvin in 2014, this ambitious project brought one of Kentucky’s most architecturally significant distillery properties back to life after sitting dormant for decades. Murry, a former brand manager at Brown-Forman, and Arvin, who worked in finance, spent years convincing investors and the community that they could resurrect this forgotten piece of bourbon history. The property features the stunning castle-like limestone buildings that give the distillery its name, including the iconic sunken gardens that were once part of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr.’s grand vision. They produce bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, and vodka using both traditional methods and modern innovation. Master Distiller Brett Connors, who previously worked at Heaven Hill, leads production in the restored facilities that now house modern equipment within the historic stone walls. The first bourbon was released in 2020 after six years of aging, marking the official return of whiskey production to this legendary site. You’ll find yourself walking through what feels like bourbon royalty’s former estate, complete with terraced gardens and limestone architecture that transports you back to the Gilded Age of American whiskey.