Jeff took a tour here. What great history. They make, bourbon, vodka and gin and a few other mixers.

In 1887, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. built a new kind of distillery destination in Millville, Kentucky. Inspired by European architecture, the site featured a Castle, a classical Springhouse, and a Sunken Garden. What he built became the birthplace of bourbon hospitality and tourism.

Prohibition forced the closing of the distillery in 1920. Over the next century, the property changed owners and occupants including Jim Beam, several times and eventually falling into ruin. In 2014 everything started to change.

Taylor even had a railroad built from downtown Frankfort to his Castle to bring in the guests.

The Front door to the distillery

In 2014, Will Arvin purchased the Old Taylor Distillery, in ruins. They restored the distillery and pondered a name that fit with both the distillery’s history and modern ideals. After much debate and exploration, Castle & Key was a perfect fit as it highlighted both the historic distillery in the Castle and the importance of our grounds and watersource, the keyhole-shaped Springhouse.

Grains

Acquiring the best corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley available within the industry. Working closely with local partners such as Walnut Grove Farms to grow white corn, yellow corn, and heirloom grains grants the whiskies a distinct flavor. Here the grain is weighed and drops into tanks below the floor to cook.

Cold water tubes in the fermenting tanks to cool off the mash after cooking

Mash Tanks

Looks like the tanks are boiling but they are just fermenting

Mash gets separated and flows through pipes to this room where they are tested for up to 190 proof for different spirits.

The Octagonal Tower. Top floor is the Owners Office. Second floor labs. Bottom floor is a Bridal Suite for weddings.

Every Castle has a moat.

The property’s architecture draws heavily from E.H. Taylor Jr.’s travels through Europe in 1869. Many of the structures exhibiting flourishes drawn from Scotland, England, Ireland, Greece, and Italy. This is further demonstrated in the site possessing various walking and pleasure gardens. After 40 years of neglect, many of these gardens were nigh unrecognizable and required deliberate restoration. In 2015, Castle & Key began working with the famed fine gardener, Jon Carloftis, to restore the historic gardens to their iconic beauty. This allowed for the historic SunkenGarden to once again be the jewel of the facility. In addition, a stunning botanical trail was shaped by Jon Carloftis’ deft hands to offer visitors a place to stroll and enjoy nature.

Storage building for 5,000 kegs.

Tasting Room.

Cool old fireplaces of some sort in the gift shop