Finally! Castle & Key Distillery to open Sept. 19

It’s taken four years, but finally, Castle & Key Distillery will open to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Frankly, it’s amazing it’s taken only that long. When founders Will Arvin and Wes Murry set out to restore the Old Taylor Distillery in Millville, Ky., the historic site was a disaster: decrepit, decomposed and a jungle of weeds and trees growing inside buildings nourished by sunshine showered through collapsed roofs. 

I toured it a year ago with master distiller Marianne Eaves, and though the change was remarkable, there was a long way to go. By and large the place was cleaned up, but restoration of historic buildings is another matter. At least Barnes had had the stills running for months and was already producing whiskey and gin.

Now you’ll have a chance to see it, and you’ll be amazed. Tours must be booked online and in advance, so you’d better get busy if you want to be among the first to be a part of one of the most anticipated distillery reopenings in America. (Lucky me, I’m part of a press gathering that gets to see it a few days earlier. Don’t wait to read my follow ups before you make a reservation, though.)

According to a new release, the tour is “a curated guest experience at our one-of-a-kind destination. Explore our grounds including stops at the iconic Castle, Springhouse, warehouse, and gardens. Learn about our restoration, principled distilling process, and our daring vision.  Conclude the experience with a unique tasting featuring Castle & Key cocktails made with our Restoration Release Gin and Vodka.”

Daring, indeed. And frankly, that’s underselling it. Expect to have your mind blown. This is like no other distillery.

Prebook your reservation by clicking here.

This was also in the release: “In addition to The Castle & Key Experience, a portion of our property will be open to those without reservations, free of charge. Our quarter mile long Botanical Trail sits alongside picturesque Glenns Creek and serves as a self-guided walking path.” Yep, gorgeous, too, so get out and do it.