The Grounds at Castle & Key
Where Bourbon is Born & History Lives On
Walk through the grounds where Castle & Key crafts its spirits with care and tradition. Every stone, every barrel, every corner tells the story of what we build here.
Explore The Grounds
From Ruins to Restoration
Originally built in 1887, the distillery brought together grand European architecture and the most modern production techniques of its time. After years of closure, the site fell into disrepair as nature slowly reclaimed it, until our team took on the work of restoring it to its rightful place in our industry. That dedication was recognized with placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Historic Preservation Project Award in 2019, honoring our commitment to preserving this historic landmark.
The property's architecture is deeply influenced by E.H. Taylor Jr.'s travels through Europe in 1869, with elements inspired by Scotland, England, Ireland, Greece, and Italy reflected throughout the grounds. After decades of neglect, many of the walking paths and pleasure gardens had faded from view and required thoughtful restoration. In 2015, Castle & Key partnered with renowned landscape architect Jon Carloftis to return the historic gardens to their original beauty, restoring the Sunken Garden as the jewel of the property and creating a botanical trail that invites visitors to reflect and enjoy the natural landscape.
The Grounds in Glass
When designing our bottles, it was important that the artistic and architectural character of our grounds carried through to the vessel itself. Working with Stranger & Stranger, we translated distinctive shapes and details from the property into the packaging, from the enclosure inspired by the chandelier in the historic Springhouse to the brass elements found throughout the bottle. The result is a design that reflects our belief that craftsmanship and experience are inseparable in everything we create.
The Grounds Tell Their Own Story
Castle & Key stands on ground that remembers. The land itself shapes what we make, from the water that flows beneath to the air that ages our barrels. This is where bourbon becomes something more than a drink.
Historic Buildings & Warehouses
Our historic buildings and warehouses stand as a testament to the craftsmanship and ambition that shaped this place, carefully restored to honor the past while continuing to shape the spirits made within their walls.
Natural Springs & Limestone Water
The natural limestone-filtered springs that flow beneath our grounds have been the foundation of this distillery since the beginning, providing the pure water that remains essential to every spirit we make.
Grounds Open For Guided Tours
Our grounds are open for guided tours that invite guests to explore the history, architecture, and gardens at a thoughtful pace, offering a deeper connection to the place where bourbon hospitality was born.
Plan Your Visit Today
Step into our world and see where it all happens.
Visit Castle & Key
