I grabbed a pour of Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Batch 2 bottle 22060, from the Old Taylor Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. At 102 proof, four years old, and $49.99, it’s pitched as a treasure hunt in a solid, not ridiculous, price.
Appearance & Nose
It poured a glowing gold, like something freed from a treasure chest. On the nose, expect bubble gum and sweet hard candy, with a light dusting of granola and honey. It isn’t shouting; it’s curious, asking you to pay attention without forcing it.
Palate & Mouthfeel
First sip: bubble gum and candy sweetness, then honey flowing in like someone poured breakfast cereal syrup into your glass. Underneath that, I detected granola crunch, a whisper of lemon peel, and a gentle herbal-floral note, enough to remind you there’s something grown-up in here.
This one is oily and rich, a texture that sticks around. It hits nicely with body at 4 out of 5, and warmth is there but manageable, not scorching. It’s got heat at 2 out of 5, like a gentle summer evening breeze, not a Tennessee wildfire.
Finish
The finish sticks around, fairly long at 4 out of 5, rolling out the sweetness and letting the floral fade into mild oak. It signs off with just enough grain presence not to leave your palate hanging.
Personality & Context
I first tried the single barrel at the Granville Inn. This Small Batch didn’t quite hit that peak, but it’s an easy keeper. Opened it in late May and have gone back several times since. Plus, that stopper? Heavy and satisfying, like opening a real treasure chest. Little touches mean something.
Distillery Background
Castle & Key revived the Old Taylor Distillery, originally built by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. in 1887. It sat abandoned for decades before being restored starting in 2014. The new team kept the original limestone buildings and springhouse, added modern stills, and brought in Marianne Eaves, the first female master distiller in Kentucky since Prohibition. They didn’t just rebuild a distillery. They resuscitated a legend.
Final Thoughts
I scored this one an 8 out of 10. It’s balanced, rich, and smartly composed. It’s not going to blow up your flavor meter, but it’ll sit on your shelf like a classy friend who doesn’t mooch your beer. Think sweet, easy, thoughtful. Exactly what you’d expect from a restored castle with 21st-century equipment.