The Old Taylor distillery is currently a cultural landmark located in Woodford County, Kentucky. It was categorized among Kentucky's physical, cultural and historic features. The distillers were seen as a showcase of bourbon making in the whole state. It was founded and constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr in 1887 and was well-known for being the first manufacturer of one million cases of straight bourbon whiskey.

History of the Old Taylor Distillery

E.H. Taylor served Frankfurt as the mayor for 16 years, as a representative, and as a senator. Taylor could utilize time while thinking of an industry that would produce a quality product and also laws that would keep the higher standard. One of the laws was the passage of the bottle-in-Bond Act of 1897 which stated the government's standards of quality that were to be observed. The distillery surrounding was unique compared to others as it consisted of a peristyle spring House, sunken gardens, and Castle buildings which give the place a presentable outlook. 

The main offices and plant of the distillery were built using Tyrone which was Kentucky limestone. Many would visit the distillery where Taylor could entertain the guests, state officials, and dignitaries inside the gardens and rooms. As the visitors were given tours around the facility, each could be given miniature bottles of Old Taylor Whiskey as a souvenir. The warm welcome led to the promotion of the distillery's slogan to "Sign of a good host" in the late 1940s. 

The decline of the Old Taylor Distillery 

The management of Old Taylor Distillery was under Taylor until he died in 1922. Thereafter, the local control took over until National Distillers acquired the operation in 1935. They managed to operate the distillery until 1972 when it was partially abandoned. In 1987, Jim Beam bought National Distillers and made use of the warehouses to store and age bourbon whiskey. In 2009, Jim beam sold the Old Taylor brand to Sazerac and his business partner bought the Old Taylor site intending to renovate the site. As a result of financing complications, it wasn't successful therefore the place was abandoned again. 

The current condition of the Old Taylor Distillery

In May 2014, Will Arvin and Wes Murry acquired the abandoned distillery property and came up with plans to reopen the distilling operations. Their renovation project was a success and managed to employ ten full-time jobs by the fall of 2015. Marianne Barnes was made the Master in February 2015. The new bourbon whiskey operations changed the name to Castle and Key in February 2016 due to the existing castle-like buildings. There is the production of Castle and Keys bottled bond bourbon and a botanical gin since 2018.