Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon 2022 (Batch 2)

The bottle's aesthetic is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby. As for the liquid, $50 for a four-year age statement feels like an unwelcome and new standard for craft bourbon. Still, it significantly outperforms a two-year-old Peerless bourbon. However, attempting to set a baseline for this drink remains difficult. My expectations for a young bourbon are not elevated. The aroma is intensely rye-forward with substantial oak. Notes of caraway, cinnamon candy, allspice, floral hints, subtle vanilla, pumpernickel, and oak are present. There's also a faint confectioner's sugar and stale bubble gum scent, similar to what I detect in Wild Turkey 101. The initial spicy character brings to mind a Four Roses Single Barrel. Thus far, there's nothing to object to. It possesses a heavier mouthfeel than anticipated, yet remains quite spicy. Abundant vanilla, allspice, nutmeg, and even a hint of new leather are noticeable. The oak is closely linked to a peculiar mineral and sweet quality, akin to floral or clover honey. Frankly, it's a bit unusual, and the earthy/floral note is hard to pinpoint but is genuinely distinctive and intriguing (it's reminiscent of Willett 4 Year Rye, though lacking the black tea and mint aspect). The finish stays rather heated but is long-lasting and gratifying. Those same sweet clover and earthy notes persist as the spice subsides. I must mention, the closest thing to a drawback is a slightly soapy sensation between sips and the finish, but it's not prominent and might be attributable to my substantial consumption of gyros earlier. I'm genuinely pleased with this and raise my glass in appreciation to Castle & Key. I don't intend to overstate its qualities, as it's apparently already highly sought after due to nonsensical, allocated, Kentucky bourbon fervor. Nevertheless, it's quite good and justifies the price paid. Despite its youth, this is a thought-provoking and somewhat bold pour. It's not suited for those with sensitive palates to enjoy neat, owing to the spice and burn, but the unique undertones are precisely what make it stand out. This earns a rare 4.0 score for such a young bourbon, and I stand by that assessment. Simply savor it; don't just admire the bottle or attempt to resell it, lest someone assault you with it and make off with their profit and your spirit.

This drink truly rocks. Do yourself a favor and avoid that distillery and this bourbon so I can keep going back and spending all my money on it while it's available. I'm only rating it a 4.75 because perhaps something superior exists, but my simple mind likely cannot grasp that possibility and will probably never feel that sensation on my tongue.

Nose: sweet corn, sharp alcohol, mint Taste: caramel, butter, alcohol, peanut butter Finish: long barrel char This was a fresh pour for me, but it came across as very sharp. The positive was a nice long finish and good bite, but the flavors didn't stand out to me. Ice was added I only taste barrel char... I was hoping it would improve after the initial pour, but it was challenging at first sip.

It's quite good. I wasn't a big fan of the initial pour from the bottle, but it seems to be improving as I continue. It still tastes young, with a lot of grass/hay notes, but there's ample classic oak, caramel, and vanilla, and it's delightfully smooth. The finish is quite long, leaving me wanting more. Don't go out of your way to find it, but if you come across it, it's worth investigating. I'd consider it a must-try.

Still a bit potent on the nose even a quarter through the bottle. Lots of rye and spice on the nose. Mouthfeel is lighter than the nose suggests. Cinnamon and caramel, with vanilla and a lovely allspice finish. Concludes with a strong Kentucky Hug. A big fan of this new project. Solid. I would like several more bottles of this.

This was the most mellow of the three whiskeys tasted during the Castle and Key whiskey competition at the distillery. It's well-balanced but not particularly memorable. A faint trace of vanilla in the aroma, a slight burn, and a touch of sweetness.