Castle & Key Experimental Series: Vino De Naranja (Restoration Rye)

Our Rye is known for its bold, peppery spice — a lean, fiery backbone that puts rye grain at the center of the mash rather than standing beside it. For this Experimental Series release, we paired that intensity with something warm and orange-bright in its own right: Vino de Naranja casks from Spain, a tradition built on sweet oranges macerated into fortified wine until they take on notes of candied peel and honeyed spice.

Resting for more than two years — nearly double our usual finishing window — those casks left their mark deep. Threading notes of candied orange peel, honeycomb, and dried blueberry through the rye's own fire. The result is bold and a little exotic: chai spice meeting toasted rye bread, toffee pudding giving way to something more lingering, like sarsaparilla and rye spice settling in at the finish. Two traditions, distinct in origin, finding a bold and unexpected accord.

This is a spirit worth sitting with, and for now, it's only available at Castle & Key. Releases August 8th. Available exclusively in the Boiler Room and at Castle & Key 502.