Castle & Key Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon arrives at 100 proof. Priced at $59.99, we assessed it with care.
Nose
Savory aromas of smoked meat threaded with baking spices dominate, and theres a minty freshness, too. New two-by-fours lie underneath the tastier notes. The palate is surprisingly fruity and blue fruit at that. A bit of bite on the attack, and the spice of the nose comes through on the mid-palate. The medium long finish of herbal bitterness lingers on the sides of the tongue.
Palate
Castle & Key Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Batch No. 1 is 100 proof, made from 73% white corn, 10% wheat, and 17% malted barley, then aged for five years. Batch No. 1 is a grouping (they call them pods) of 49 barrels. Find a 750mL fluted, short-necked custom bottle for $59.99 in select US markets, mostly west of the Mississippi. This is a solid whiskey. Nothing revolutionary, but a slightly more savory, not-too-hot wheated bourbon. In my home bar, it’ll be perfect for stirred cocktails with a botanical edge to play off the umami notes.
Finish
This liquid is a very clear medium amber that beads and forms slow tears. Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Castle & Key Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a modest offering that, at $59.99, serves its purpose without distinction. Those seeking depth or complexity may wish to look elsewhere in this price bracket.
