Every now and then, you have to take a whiskey from a distillery you admire and criticize it. Happy freakin Monday. The aroma is astringent with hints of oak, lemon, and paper. It's difficult to discern anything specific here. The body presents as cedar chips. Spearmint, perhaps? The finish is comically spicy. The burn lingers similarly to a heavily peated scotch. However, there aren't really any flavors to note. My saliva just hurts. This is heartburn and disappointment in a glass. I simply cannot find a way to enjoy it. Maybe it could be used as a mouthwash? It's one of the least pleasant whiskies I've encountered recently. It's technically drinkable, but less enjoyable than a handful of cheap bottom-shelf options. Not worth purchasing, but it doesn't reflect the other Castle and Key products I've tried to date.
Castle & Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon 2022 (Batch 1)
Whiskey Bourbon Kentucky 5 Year 50% ABV
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About this bottle
The first wheated bourbon from Castle & Key, their Small Batch Wheated Bourbon 2022 (Batch 1), was the inaugural release of this type from the distillery and came in two batches. Batch 1 is five years old, with 49 barrels bottled at 50% ABV. More than 11,000 bottles were distributed in certain markets in the fall, and online shipping to consumers began in early 2023.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 6 parsed reviews.
More potent than anticipated for 100 proof, exhibits typical wheated characteristics on the nose and mid-palate, some cherry emerges towards the end, a slightly drying and somewhat long finish.
Sweet and pleasant, but not compelling enough to purchase a bottle.
Pleasant light oak. Cherry and orange. Some nice sweetness.
Unbaked bread, a hint of spice, and vanilla notes.
Pleasant flavor, quite enjoyable
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
