"Craftsmanship, quality, and style - it's amazing how much of all three they can pack in at these prices." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
Legendary Kentucky bourbon pioneer Colonel E.H. Taylor is known almost exclusively as the founder of Buffalo Trace, but he had a hand in more than one distillery in his lifetime, and it's actually the Old Taylor distillery that captures his vision and ambition more than any other. Designed and built by the Colonel from 1886 as a first-of-its-kind bourbon hospitality venue, Old Taylor went far beyond the strictly industrial purposes and aesthetic of every other distillery of its day. The sprawling grounds in the Kentucky River valley feature a Scottish-style castle, Roman-inspired springhouse and pool, and meticulously curated gardens and walking paths, all of which provided a luxury distillery experience that existed nowhere else at the time.
After Taylor's death, the entire property fell dormant and into disrepair until 2012, when Will Arvin undertook the massive task of resurrecting not just the distillery but the historic hospitality elements as well. Castle, springhouse, gardens, everything - it was all part of his vision. Of course, none of that mattered if they weren't producing killer juice as well, so no expense was spared on the operational side either. From Vendome stills to locally sourced grains, Castle & Key's spirits come from pristine raw materials and state-of-the-art equipment. Yet they still show out as some of the most incredible values in Kentucky bourbon.
Leading off, the 6 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon is based on locally grown white corn, with 10% rye and 17% malted barley, is simply unbeatable for its sub-$30 price. "It's a well-constructed, tidy combination of barrel complexity and spirit pedigree that way over-delivers ... nothing is out of place here," notes Andrew. With a decidedly spicy, masculine profile, it will stand up in any cocktail or satisfy the neat-sipper purists. The 5 Year Old Wheated Bourbon is also a gem in its category, providing "a scintillating contrast to the Straight" with its confectionary, crowd-pleasing profile centered on red fruit, baked goods, and luscious texture.
Quality and value are a rare combination in today's bourbon landscape, but thanks to Castle & Key, it's clear that it can be achieved if a distiller has the right set-up, the right work ethic, and the right priorities. Even they're produced in a "luxury" setting, these are incredible buys that any bourbon fan of any means will find utterly compelling and pleasing in the best ways.
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