Beautiful and Historic.
There is no other stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail quite like Castle & Key. It was built in 1887 by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. on 113 acres along Glenns Creek in Frankfort and painstakingly restored from ruin beginning in 2014. A limestone castle distillery, a sunken garden modeled after Windsor Castle’s grounds, a Gothic yeast tower, and a 19th-century springhouse mean you are visiting more than a distillery. You’re walking through bourbon history.
Proximity & drive times
- The Bourb Inn to Castle & Key Distillery: 20 miles · ~25 minutes
- The Bourb Inn to Buffalo Trace (Frankfort): 16 miles · 27 minutes
- The Bourb Inn to Whiskey Thief (Frankfort): 7 miles · 10 minutes
- The Bourb Inn to Woodford Reserve (Versailles): 22 miles · 34 minutes
- The Bourb Inn to Downtown Frankfort: ~14 miles · ~18 minutes
A distillery worth dressing up for
Castle & Key is the most photographed distillery on the trail for good reason; it’s a beautiful and historic location. Wander the Sunken Garden along Glenns Creek, take the quarter-mile Botanical Trail past the springhouse, and settle in at Taylorton Station — the on-site bar and outdoor café — with a flight tasting and no agenda.
Steve’s expert tips for Castle & Key visitors
As a Certified Bourbon Steward with personal relationships at 30+ distilleries, Steve knows how to make the most of your visit:
- Closed Monday and Tuesday — plan accordingly
Castle & Key is open Wednesday through Sunday only (Wed–Sat 10:30AM–5PM, Sun 11AM–5PM). Tours fill quickly on weekends and during peak bourbon season — advance booking is strongly recommended.
- Budget more time than you think you need
The official Distillery Experience runs 1–2 hours, but it’s worth taking extra time. After the tour, walk the Botanical Trail along Glenns Creek, explore the Sunken Garden, and grab cocktails and tasting flights at Taylorton Station.
- Start with Whiskey Thief at no cost
Every Bourb Inn guest (up to 10) receives a complimentary VIP tasting at Whiskey Thief, just 7 miles from the front door. Use promo code bourbinn at booking. Start there to warm up your palate, then head into Frankfort for Castle & Key.
Why The Bourb Inn belongs on a Castle & Key itinerary
Castle & Key is a distillery designed for guests who appreciate beauty and detail. Your accommodations should match. The Bourb Inn is a 32-acre private estate with designer finishes, a professional bourbon bar, and a bedroom named The Colonel E.H. Taylor Room.
