Visit Castle & Key Distillery
Step Into Our Story
Come experience Castle & Key Distillery in person, where historic grounds and the warmth of hospitality invite you to slow down and stay awhile. Discover the bourbon hospitality that revolutionized an industry, walk the gardens, tour the distillery, and see where it all began.
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Private Experiences
Discover the hidden stories of Castle & Key through an intimate, curated journey behind the scenes of our historic distillery. Explore exclusive spaces and taste rare spirits crafted with precision and passion.
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The Castle
The Castle has been standing proud over this site since 1887, and it first served as a distillery as early as 1819. We're beyond excited to once again invite guests to explore where the magic happens while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of spirits production. Original hardwood floors and plaster walls help tell the story of our historic site, while modern upgrades by the Castle & Key team ensure we usher in the next phase of our brand.
Octagonal Tower
Our Octagonal Tower was initially constructed by E.H. Taylor to be utilized as a yeast laboratory in 1909. His insistence on having a yeast room separate from the facility speaks volumes about Taylor's dedication to science and modernization. This historic structure now serves multiple purposes for Castle & Key, ranging from Bridal and Groomsmen suites to meeting spaces and tasting rooms.
Old Administrative Building
Originally built by E.H. Taylor between 1905-1910 to serve as his administrative building, complete with inlaid wood floors, beautiful wood Victorian furniture, and windows with the company's name. While we have uncovered some fantastic photographs of E.H. Taylor, Jr. sitting at his desk in this space when Castle & Key assumed the property in 2014, this building was found in a highly overgrown state. It is a prime example of the condition in which we found much of the site upon purchase. However, the promise of what's next for this historic site lies thick in the air, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.
The Boiler Room
Open to All GuestsWhat once powered the distillery now powers our guests' retail experience. With this expertly restored and impeccably decorated space, we can let guests step back in time and take a piece of our rich history home with them after their visit. From locally crafted goods to household names and Castle & Key spirits perfect for gift-giving or treating yourself to something uniquely different, there's something for everyone in our Boiler Room.
Taylorton Station
Open to All GuestsThe Taylorton Station once welcomed guests as they disembarked from the train that once transported in guests from far and wide. It also served as the first touchpoint of the hospitality that E.H. Taylor was widely known for. It now serves as our on-site bar, additional tasting room, and Counter 17—an outdoor walk-up cafe serving crafted cocktails, neat pours, and tasting flights.
Botanical Trail
Open to All GuestsTake in the beauty of our grounds on a quarter-mile trail that surrounds the Springhouse, leads directly to Taylorton Station, and affords water views of Glenns Creek and the original Superintendent's Cottage.
The Superintendent's Cottage
Open to All GuestsOriginally constructed between 1890-1910 historically served as the residence for the site's superintendent(s). This helped keep them close to the site in the off-chance there was an emergency or their expertise was needed to fix or troubleshoot an issue. Upon Castle & Key's purchase of the site, the building was found in complete disarray, and we have since restored the space to preserve it for future use.
The Springhouse
Open to All GuestsColonel E.H. Taylor specifically selected the site where Castle & Key stands today for the quality of the springs on location. These springs would later be called the Key to his success and a necessary ingredient in quality bourbon. Because of this, the Springhouse has watched over the water source for our spirits since its initial construction in 1887. As a nod to its heritage and history of lavish parties, the Springhouse once again plays host to wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, and numerous on-site events.
Sunken Garden
Created by E.H. Taylor to mimic the gardens of Windsor Castle's grounds, the Sunken Garden serves as a prime example of his passion for European design and aesthetic. When we purchased the distillery the space was so overgrown we didn't realize that the ruins of the original garden still existed. Once cleared, Jon Carloftis breathed new life into the space, and it now once again plays host to both Castle & Key and private events.
Warehouse E
This massive warehouse was constructed by National Distillers in the 1950s and was built to hold slightly under 65,000 barrels in metal ricks. Initially, we only used the bottom floor of the building for general storage and holding new cooperage (unfilled first use barrels), but we quickly had reason to restore this space. As Warehouse B began to rapidly fill, we made the decision to rebuild a modern ricking system in the structure on the floors above. Currently, the building is once again full holding north of 60,000 barrels of whiskey.
Shooking Building
The structure was originally constructed by National Distillers in 1940 to house new cooperage in preparation for filling, as well as for breaking down cooperage after the spirits were removed—shooking. The building was found filled with debris and general trash when we purchased the site. The Shooking Building has been restored and now serves as our lavish primary event space.
Cistern Room
This structure originally served as the power plant during Colonel Taylor's ownership, and in 1934 National Distillers reconfigured the building to serve as their primary Cistern Room. To this day, the Castle & Key team uses the Cistern Room for all our barrel filling practices.
Bottling Building
The historic Bottling House was originally constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr. around 1906 with pressed plaster ceilings, planters, decorative design details, and a limestone fountain. The garish nature of the space allowed him to use images of this area in his advertising to showcase the quality of his spirits. When Castle & Key came to the site the building was found in a heavily deteriorated state, and our team is currently working to preserve the space for future use.
Warehouse A Ruins
Warehouse A was the first brick warehouse constructed by Taylor, and it was connected by an elevated walkway to Warehouse B so that the barrels could easily be moved between buildings. In the early 1990s, a snowstorm damaged an already deteriorated roof causing the roof and sidewalls to collapse. Since purchasing the property our team has preserved what we could including the elevator tower, front facade, and the building's foundations. Currently we employ this space as an herb and botanical garden for our onsite beverage program and general experimentation.
Warehouse B
The second brick warehouse on site was constructed around 1907 by E.H. Taylor, and it was also connected by an elevated walkway to Warehouse A to easily move the barrels. When taking over the distillery the warehouse was in dire need of major restoration, and it now serves as our primary warehouse with over 35,000 barrels aging in it.
Castle & Key 502
Our dedication to bourbon hospitality extends beyond the distillery. Located in the heart of Downtown, Louisville, Castle & Key 502 is a retail destination for Louisvillians and travelers alike. Find a curated selection of merchandise, spirits, and craft cocktails, no trip to the grounds required.
Lodging & Transportation
For guests staying nearby, several local Airbnb properties offer a comfortable place to settle in just minutes from the distillery. For transportation, we can help connect you with trusted limo and car services that offer guided bourbon tours across Kentucky, making it easy to explore, celebrate, and enjoy the journey together without worrying about the drive.
Host an Event
Castle & Key offers inspired spaces and warm, intentional hospitality for gatherings of all sizes. Explore our wedding and event venues to find the perfect setting where every detail feels crafted.
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