Matt and I are big fans of Castle & Key Distillery. The distillery has a rich heritage, being once owned by Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. and then by National Distillers, where Old Taylor Bourbon was one of their flagship brands. Buffalo Trace now owns the Old Taylor brand and for many years the distillery sat empty and derelict. Enter Will Arvin. He bought the distillery and restored the buildings and gardens, turning it into a distillery that once again makes great whiskey. Thus, the name of their brand “restoration”. This bottle is a single barrel rye that is very good whiskey. Matt and I sat down to taste this whiskey the other day and here are our tasting notes.
Castle & Key Restoration Rye Single Barrel
Proof: 120.8
Age: Three Years Old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, black licorice and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, caramel, brown sugar, mint and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, black licorice, white pepper and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the vanilla and oak are enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and the vanilla becomes a rich caramel and cinnamon spice comes out in the taste.
- Matt: Rye grass, caramel, brown sugar, mint and oak wood. The dried cranberry enhanced the caramel and brown sugar. The pecan enhanced the oak wood and caramel.
Finish:
- Mike: Long with oak, white pepper and lingering licorice. The dried cranberry made the finish shorter and sweeter with just a hint of oak and pepper and lingering vanilla. The pecan made the finish very long with oak and cinnamon.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood and mint. The dried cranberry made the finish shorter. The pecan added some lingering caramel sweetness to the finish.
I would pair this Rye whiskey with a cigar that has vanilla and cedar spice notes in the smoke. I would reach for a My Father Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial cigar.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller