131: Castle & Key Restoration Rye Batch 1 of 2021

Bourbon Lens

Castle & Key just released its 3rd installment of Restoration Rye, 2021 Batch #1. This batch was crafted from 80 barrels and was meant to highlight some notes that are perfect for summer whiskey drinking. We compare this 2021 release to Batch 1 from 2020 in this episode. Each batch of Restoration Rye Whiskey is blended using a series of pods. Each pod is created by grouping barrels to create a specific sensory profile. Restoration Rye features a mashbill of 63% Rye; 20% Malted Barley; 17% Yellow Corn. Enjoy this episode as we talk about how these two batches match up and whether we think Castle & Key is heading in the right direction with their whiskey releases.

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LINKS:

• Kentucky Distillers’ Association Announces Castle & Key Distillery as the 43rd Heritage Member - June 29, 2021
• Castle & Key Distillery Website
• All the Nerdy Details on Every Batch of Restoration Rye
• Bourbon Lens Episode 106 - Our First Impressions of 2020 Batch 1

Image credit: Castle & Key Distillery

DETAILED NOTES FROM CASTLE & KEY:

RESTORATION RYE 2021 BATCH #1

• $39.99
• 50.5% ABV
• 20,500 bottles produced (80 barrels)
• AROMA: Wildflower honey, light stone fruit, rose, bubble gum, cherry pie, and toasted oak
• TASTE: Golden raisin, toast, nutmeg, turbinado sugar, ginger and praline
• FINISH: Medium bodied, slightly sweet, shifting to a dry ginger warmth

In continuation of last year’s long-awaited Restoration Rye release, Castle & Key Distillery has released its third installment of the Restoration Rye series - Restoration Rye 2021 Batch #1. The new release continues to pay tribute to the restoration of the historic property, which was once the iconic Old Taylor Distillery, originally built over a century ago. The Restoration Rye 2021 Batch #1 is available for purchase at the distillery and in stores in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia.

“With the first batch of Restoration Rye for 2021 being released just before the start of summer, it was blended with the intent of highlighting the softer notes of our Rye Whiskey. Many of the barrels chosen for this offering were those that expressed higher levels of fruity and floral esters and had lower levels of wood char and baking spice. This resulted in a smoother whiskey for the warm weather, to be enjoyed on its own or in a summer cocktail,” says Jon Brown, Quality Manager at Castle & Key.

The Restoration Rye 2021 release features one batch with unique flavor profiles created from a blend with 80 barrels. During the blending process, the barrels are grouped into pods with specific sensory profiles. Those pods are then blended to achieve the unique, high quality flavor profiles.

For information about Castle & Key’s spirit offerings, please visit CastleAndKey.com or follow @CastleandKey on Instagram.

ABOUT CASTLE & KEY

In 2014, Castle & Key Founding Partners Will Arvin and Wes Murry, two industry outsiders, purchased and began restoring The Old Taylor Distillery, which had fallen to ruin after decades of neglect, with a vision of creating an immersive distillery experience. Castle & Key is now committed to identifying the best barrels for production each year, which leads to producing quality spirits that have a different flavor profile each year. In 2021, Will Arvin and his family assumed primary ownership of Castle & Key.

Located at 4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort, KY, Castle & Key has become a popular travel destination for spirits and history enthusiasts as it offers tours of the many historical parts of the property including, the Boiler Room, Taylorton Station, Counter 17, the Springhouse, and the Botanical Trail. For more information visit www.CastleandKey.com.