Castle & Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon 2022 (Batch 2)

Acquired at the distillery in December 2022, priced somewhere in the $60-70 range, if I recall correctly. I'm rating this shortly after the 1792 Sweet Wheat. The aroma is notably more vibrant in comparison, though still quite mild and accessible. A grassy foundation is layered with floral notes and light baking spices. I suspect it would be easily identifiable as a wheated bourbon in a blind tasting. The flavor offers more of a surprise, making this a more intriguing pour. It's richer, with pronounced vanilla from start to finish, accompanied by chocolatey undertones alongside bread-like and yeasty characteristics. There's a mild spice and a bit more ethanol than anticipated, but not unpleasantly so. The moderately long finish becomes slightly hot with cinnamon before mellowing out. Overall, I found this to be a very good whiskey, significantly superior to the 1792 SW in terms of depth and complexity, even though both are approachable and enjoyable at their core.

Mediocre. Like a $25 bottle sold at a $55 price point. Definitely won't buy again, and this bottle is reserved for guests I don't care for.

A pleasant wheated bourbon. I wish it was a bit less expensive, but I really want to visit the distillery!

Excellent bourbon, a little sweet, thoroughly enjoyed!