Castle & Key Distillery: History, Tours, Hours, and Visitor Tips
Castle & Key Distillery combines a restored historic distillery with landscaped grounds, a shop, and drinks at Taylorton Station. The site near Frankfort has distilling roots dating to the early nineteenth century, while the castle building has stood since 1887. A visit can be as simple as exploring the public spaces or as structured as a reserved guided experience.
The key planning distinction is that public access and guided experiences are not the same. You do not need a tour to visit the public areas or Taylorton Station, but tours and special experiences require checking the live calendar.
Quick facts
- Address: 4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort, Kentucky.
- Phone: 502-395-9070.
- Time zone: Eastern Time.
- Regular public hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Bar closing time: 4:30 p.m. under the currently posted schedule.
Hours, experiences, and private events can change. Confirm them on the official visit page on the day of travel.
A short history of the site
Castle & Key states that the property was used as a distillery as early as 1819 and that the castle dates to 1887. The later Old Taylor Distillery became known for its castle-like architecture. After decades of decline, the property was restored and reopened as Castle & Key.
Kentucky’s economic-development cabinet documented the restoration and 2018 reopening. The early modern team included Marianne Eaves, identified by the state as Kentucky’s first female master distiller since Prohibition. This history is best understood as a timeline of the property; it should not be used to imply that every current product or role is unchanged.
Tour or self-guided visit?
Choose a guided experience if production history and process are the main reasons for going. Castle & Key’s FAQ describes experiences such as the Distillery Experience and Castle & Cocktails, but the exact schedule and content can change. Read the current booking description for duration, included pours, age restrictions, arrival time, and refund terms.
A self-directed visit can include the Boiler Room retail shop, public grounds, and Taylorton Station when open. The FAQ says a tour is not required for those public areas. Formal seated tastings are not currently offered; cocktails and neat pours are available through Taylorton Station under its current service model.
Taylorton Station and seasonal hours
Taylorton Station operates seasonally, with one schedule generally used from April through November and another from December through March. Do not assume its service hours match the property’s general hours. Check the current schedule before planning a visit around food or drinks.
Nonalcoholic drinks are available. Anyone purchasing or consuming alcohol should carry valid photo identification and meet the legal age requirement.
Transportation and responsible tasting
The distillery is outside central Frankfort, so decide who will drive before arriving. The designated driver should not drink. Groups in which everyone plans to taste should book transportation in advance and confirm the return pickup. Do not rely on finding an immediate ride in a rural area.
Even small pours add up across multiple distillery stops. One well-paced experience is safer and usually more informative than racing through several tastings.
Accessibility and practical questions
The restored historic setting includes multiple buildings and outdoor ground. Contact the distillery before booking if you need a step-free route, wheelchair access, seating, a service-animal accommodation, or details about walking distance and surfaces. Ask whether the exact tour route differs from the public-area route.
Wear shoes suitable for walking and check the forecast. Allow time to park and check in; late-arrival policies for a ticketed experience may be strict. Review rules for children and pets before bringing them.
A simple visit plan
- Check the official hours and live experience calendar.
- Reserve one guided experience if desired.
- Confirm Eastern Time, especially if traveling from central Kentucky’s Central Time Zone.
- Assign a sober driver or arrange transportation.
- Arrive early enough for parking and check-in.
- Leave time after the tour for the grounds and shop rather than booking another tight appointment.
Official sources
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