Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon 750ML

Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon 750ML is a cask strength Kentucky bourbon bottled at 52.9% ABV (105.8 proof) in a 750ml bottle, built on an unconventional mashbill of white corn and white winter wheat. It earned Gold medals at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the ASCOT Awards, establishing it as one of the more compelling wheated bourbons from a newer American distillery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 52.9% (105.8 proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Aged approximately 4 years  |  Distillery: Castle & Key Distillery

Production & Heritage

Castle & Key Distillery occupies the historic grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — a site originally built by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. in 1887. After decades of dormancy, the property was revived in 2014 by Will Arvin and Wes Murry, with distillation beginning in 2017. The wheated bourbon expression uses a 73% white corn, 17% malted barley, and 10% white winter wheat mashbill — a deliberate departure from the yellow dent corn standard in most bourbon production. White corn and white wheat, sourced from Walnut Grove Farms in southwestern Kentucky, were chosen for their mellower flavor characteristics. Fermentation runs roughly six days, double the industry-typical three days, allowing greater flavor complexity to develop before distillation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange zest and brûléed peach lead into oatmeal raisin cookie and vanilla frosting. As the glass opens, softer notes of pound cake, candied pear, lilac, and gentle cinnamon emerge alongside baked nutmeg.

Taste: The entry is rich with almond pastry and butterscotch, giving way to layers of red apple, mango, and macaroon at mid-palate. Baking chocolate, dried cranberry, light black peppercorn, and clove build toward a peak of roasted walnut and white sage, with subtle floral tones woven throughout.

Finish: Long and warming, revealing raw brown sugar and oatmeal-cinnamon cookie before shifting into dried cherry, chai spice, and French toast. Leather and roasted walnut linger at the very end, adding earthy depth.

How to Drink Castle & Key Wheated

At cask strength, this bourbon rewards a slow neat pour; a few drops of water tame the 105.8 proof and open the pastry and fruit notes considerably. It also performs well over a single large ice cube as dilution progresses. Old Fashioned: The white corn sweetness and baking spice hold their shape against bitters and a sugar cube without losing nuance. Boulevardier: The mango and dried cherry notes bridge naturally with sweet vermouth and Campari. Paper Plane: At this proof, it stands up to Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon without being overwhelmed, contributing a warm pastry backbone.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring wheated expressions beyond the Weller lineup
• Gifting someone who values craft production and Kentucky distilling heritage
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts or dark chocolate
• Adding a barrel-proof anchoring spirit to a home whiskey collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon taste like? It delivers a pastry-forward profile — think almond croissant and butterscotch — layered with brûléed peach, mango, baking chocolate, and a long chai-spice finish. The white corn and white wheat mashbill gives it a noticeably softer, rounder sweetness than most traditional bourbons.

How does Castle & Key Wheated compare to Weller Antique 107? Both are wheated bourbons bottled near barrel proof, but Castle & Key's use of white corn and white wheat creates a distinctly different flavor foundation — more fruit-forward pastry notes versus Weller Antique's heavier caramel and toffee character. Weller Antique 107, produced by Buffalo Trace, also benefits from a much longer track record and generally broader availability in some markets.

Is Castle & Key Wheated good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 105.8 proof, the extended fermentation and soft grain bill produce a bourbon that drinks smoother than its proof suggests. A small splash of water further reveals its peach and pastry complexity for a more relaxed neat experience.

Where is Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon made? It is distilled and bottled at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, on the restored grounds of the 1887 Old Taylor Distillery, one of the most historically significant bourbon sites in the state.

What foods pair well with Castle & Key Wheated? Pecan pie complements the brown sugar and walnut finish. Aged Gouda mirrors the butterscotch mid-palate richness. Grilled stone fruit — particularly peaches — echoes the brûléed peach aromatics. Dark chocolate with dried cherries plays off the finish. Cinnamon-spiced bread pudding ties into the oatmeal-cookie and chai notes.

What sizes does Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon — higher than everyday shelf staples but competitive with other cask-strength small-batch releases. The unusual grain sourcing, extended fermentation, and historic distillery provenance provide tangible quality markers that justify its tier within the category.

Why Castle & Key Wheated?

What separates this bourbon from the broader wheated field starts in the grain: white corn and white winter wheat from a single Kentucky farm, rather than the commodity yellow dent corn and red winter wheat used across most of the industry. That decision, combined with a six-day fermentation — double the conventional timeline — produces a spirit with an unusually layered pastry-and-fruit character before the barrel ever gets involved. Gold medals from both the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the ASCOT Awards confirm that the approach translates to the glass. For drinkers who know the wheated bourbon category well, this is a genuinely distinct entry that earns attention on its own terms rather than trading on the reputation of older names.