VDN Experimental Cask Strength Rye

• Limited edition cask strength straight rye whiskey produced by Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky
• 2024 release of Castle & Key’s Experimental Series
• Mash bill of 63% rye, 17% yellow corn, and 20% malted barley
• Rye is sourced from Germany; corn is sourced from Walnut Grove Farm in Adairville, Kentucky; barley is sourced from Malteurop Malting Company (multiple US locations)
• Sweet mash fermented
• Water for production comes from Castle & Key’s historic “Key” shaped limestone spring
• Distilled in 24-inch and 36-inch Vendome copper column stills and a 375-gallon doubler
• Aged 3 years in untoasted char #3 new American oak barrels from Speyside Cooperage in Jackson, Ohio; finished in vino de naranja casks for 11 months; non-age statement
• Vatting of 36 barrels
• Aromas of cacao nib, shortbread, caramelized orange, charred thyme, and buttercream transition to a palate of Ranier cherry, dark honey, and orange blossom with oxidized sherry notes, black peppercorn, dried red fruit, and leather on the finish
• Non-chill filtered; bottled at a cask strength of 57.9% ABV

Castle & Key Distillery’s Experimental Series consists of limited, small-batch bottlings that explore unique barrel finishes, blends, and mash bills. This 2024 release was aged nearly one year in casks previously used to mature vino de naranja (a Spanish aromatized wine produced by macerating orange peels in sweet white wine made from sun-dried grapes), resulting in a perfect marriage of honeyed orange and Castle & Key’s spicy Restoration Rye.