{"product_id":"castle-key-small-batch-wheated-bourbon-cask-strength","title":"Castle \u0026 Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon Cask Strength","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCastle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bold, full-bodied Kentucky Straight Bourbon that combines the softer character of wheat with the concentration of an uncut, high-proof whiskey. \u003cstrong\u003eAged for 7 years\u003c\/strong\u003e and bottled at \u003cstrong\u003e108.2 proof (54.1% ABV)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the current release uses Castle \u0026amp; Key’s distinctive wheated mash bill of \u003cstrong\u003e73% white corn, 10% wheat, and 17% malted barley\u003c\/strong\u003e. Rich notes of oatmeal raisin cookie, vanilla frosting, baked peach, candied pear, almond pastry, butterscotch, baking chocolate, and roasted walnut create a deeply layered bourbon with impressive texture and a long, warming finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess \u0026amp; Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastle \u0026amp; Key produces this bourbon entirely at its historic distillery in \u003cstrong\u003eFrankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the former Old Taylor Distillery has been restored as the home of the modern Castle \u0026amp; Key operation. The whiskey is \u003cstrong\u003edistilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the distillery full control over the process from grain through maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mash bill consists of \u003cstrong\u003e73% white corn, 10% wheat, and 17% malted barley\u003c\/strong\u003e. Replacing rye with wheat gives the bourbon a rounder, softer spice profile, while the unusually high proportion of malted barley adds toasted grain, pastry, cereal, and nutty complexity. The same wheated recipe is also used for Castle \u0026amp; Key’s standard Small Batch Wheated Bourbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bourbon spends \u003cstrong\u003eseven years in new charred American oak barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e, considerably longer than Castle \u0026amp; Key’s standard five-year Small Batch Wheated Bourbon. The additional maturation brings greater concentration of caramelized sugar, dried fruit, nuts, leather, baking spice, and mature oak while preserving the naturally supple character of the wheated recipe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the standard release, this expression is bottled at \u003cstrong\u003ecask strength\u003c\/strong\u003e. The current bottling is \u003cstrong\u003e108.2 proof \/ 54.1% ABV\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving greater body, richness, and intensity. Because cask-strength releases can vary from batch to batch, earlier versions have appeared at different proofs, including a documented first batch at approximately 105.8 proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, Castle \u0026amp; Key highlights \u003cstrong\u003eoatmeal raisin cookie, vanilla frosting, baked peach, and candied pear\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by \u003cstrong\u003eorange peel, lilac, and soft cinnamon\u003c\/strong\u003e. The combination of fruit, pastry, and floral notes gives the bourbon an unusually expressive aromatic profile for a cask-strength whiskey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palate is rich and layered, developing flavors of \u003cstrong\u003ealmond pastry, butterscotch, macaroon, baking chocolate, dried cranberry, and clove\u003c\/strong\u003e. Subtle floral notes remain underneath, while the wheat softens the whiskey’s natural strength and the high malted-barley component contributes additional toasted and confectionary character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finish is \u003cstrong\u003elong and warming\u003c\/strong\u003e, beginning with \u003cstrong\u003eraw brown sugar and roasted walnut\u003c\/strong\u003e before moving into deeper notes of \u003cstrong\u003eleather and French toast\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its cask-strength presentation gives the finish considerable persistence without losing the rounded character associated with wheated bourbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cstrong\u003eCastle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon\u003c\/strong\u003e particularly compelling is the combination of \u003cstrong\u003eseven years of Kentucky aging, a high-malt wheated mash bill, natural cask-strength bottling, and estate distillation at Castle \u0026amp; Key\u003c\/strong\u003e. Compared with the distillery’s standard wheated bourbon, the extended aging and higher proof amplify the pastry, fruit, chocolate, nut, and mature-oak characteristics while maintaining an approachable wheated texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnjoy it \u003cstrong\u003eneat\u003c\/strong\u003e after allowing several minutes to open in the glass. Castle \u0026amp; Key also recommends a \u003cstrong\u003esmall splash of water\u003c\/strong\u003e, which can reveal additional fruit, pastry, vanilla, and baking-spice notes while softening the 108.2-proof intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Castle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a \u003cstrong\u003e7-year-old Kentucky wheated bourbon\u003c\/strong\u003e distilled, aged, and bottled by Castle \u0026amp; Key Distillery and released at natural cask strength. The current bottling is \u003cstrong\u003e108.2 proof \/ 54.1% ABV\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the key specs of Castle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe current release is aged \u003cstrong\u003e7 years\u003c\/strong\u003e, bottled at \u003cstrong\u003e108.2 proof \/ 54.1% ABV\u003c\/strong\u003e, and uses a mash bill of \u003cstrong\u003e73% white corn, 10% wheat, and 17% malted barley\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is offered in a \u003cstrong\u003e750ml bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat flavors characterize Castle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect \u003cstrong\u003eoatmeal raisin cookie, vanilla frosting, baked peach, candied pear, orange peel, almond pastry, butterscotch, macaroon, baking chocolate, dried cranberry, clove, brown sugar, roasted walnut, leather, and French toast\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should you enjoy Castle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnjoy it neat to appreciate its full concentration, or add a small amount of water to reveal additional fruit, pastry, vanilla, and spice. A large cube can also gradually soften the whiskey while preserving its rich texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Castle \u0026amp; Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon special?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts distinction comes from the combination of \u003cstrong\u003eseven years of maturation, a wheated 73\/10\/17 mash bill with an unusually high proportion of malted barley, and full cask-strength bottling\u003c\/strong\u003e. The result is a rich but balanced Kentucky bourbon that combines wheated softness with concentrated fruit, pastry, chocolate, nut, spice, and mature oak character.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Skurnik","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50525321986296,"sku":"80382","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0352\/3140\/0072\/files\/wheated-bourbon-cask-strength-castle-key-strapped-5.png?v=1789591893","url":"https:\/\/thebourboncentral.com\/products\/castle-key-small-batch-wheated-bourbon-cask-strength","provider":"Bourbon Central","version":"1.0","type":"link"}