The Untold Story from Castle & Key Review

The Untold Story Of Kentucky Whiskey
Castle & Key Distillery
106.6 Proof
A blend of Straight Whiskey
Aged 4.5 years

The Untold Story

This whiskey, The Untold Story Of Kentucky Whiskey from Castle & Key Distillery, is a special one. Released by Castle & Key Distillery in partnership with the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, it is dedicated to uncovering and telling stories from generations past. The series honors African American contributions to the distilling industry, contributions which are many but which have not been widely recognized or discussed. This whiskey is also a step towards the future as well. It was donated by Castle & Key and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Castle & Key Scholarship Fund. This release, Chapter 1, will be the first release of a series of annual “Chapters”, each telling part of the story, right on the bottle. Check out the photos to read it.

Chapter 1 and the Scholarship Programs

Chapter 1 of The Untold Story was written by Dr. Erin Wiggins Gilliam, of Kentucky State University and the KBBG historian. The Castle & Key scholarship is called The Diversity in Kentucky Distillery Scholarship Program and will provide $5000 scholarships to students of color who have interest in working in the Kentucky distilling industry. Proceeds from the release brunch ticket sales as well as from sales of the commemorative Glencairns will to the KBBG’s own scholarship fund, the Minority Scholarship Fund.

For full disclosure, I have been a member of the KBBG since its inception. I attended the release brunch today which had attendees including Governor Andy Beshear and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, who decreed today as Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild Day. It was quite an event celebrating the whiskey, and so much more than whiskey.

The Whiskey

So what about the whiskey? It’s a blend of Castle & Key’s own rye and bourbon. They have been releasing their rye under their own label since last year, but they have not yet released a Castle & Key bourbon, so that also makes this whiskey very special.

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste it:

🛌 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉Nose: Simple syrup sweetness, caramel, apple, sweet cherry, cinnamon, baking spices, toast, oak; moderate alcohol
👉Taste: Light caramel, subtle black tea, toast, cinnamon, mild simple sugar sweetness, light oak
👉Finish: Cinnamon, touch of apple, some white pepper builds. Fairly long finish with a moderate burn

A great whiskey but so much more!

Overall, The Untold Story Of Kentucky Whiskey from Castle & Key is an enjoyable whiskey, and a milestone itself, but it’s what it represents that makes it truly special. Pretty great, isn’t it?? Cheers!

Would you like to read about Castle & Key Distillery’s rye? Check out my Castle & Key Restoration Rye review!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!