Season 3 | Episode 3 - In the Spirit of Bourbon: Castle and Key w/ Valerie Colella
Featured Guest: Valerie Colella
In this week’s episode of “On the Road: Kentucky Bourbon”, Jason and Yvonne Lee take listeners on a trip to Castle & Key Distillery, a bourbon destination with a fascinating past. Once known as the Old Taylor Distillery, this historic site was abandoned for over 30 years before being brought back to life in 2018. Now, it’s a place where history and modern bourbon-making come together in a truly unique way.
At the time of our visit, Val Colella was Castle & Key’s Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador. In this episode, she shares the distillery’s story and the care that goes into crafting their spirits. Val also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how bourbon is made, including how barrels age and why the Kentucky climate plays such an important role.
But this episode isn’t just about bourbon — it’s about the people behind it. Jason, Yvonne, and Val talk about the workers, women, and even enslaved individuals who helped shape the bourbon industry but are often left out of its history. Val shares her own experiences in the bourbon world and explains why representation matters in making the industry more welcoming for everyone.
Listeners will feel like they’re walking through the distillery as Jason and Yvonne describe the beautiful grounds, the historic rickhouses where barrels “breathe,” and even the ghostly stories that add to the site’s charm. They also share their experience tasting bourbon straight from the barrel (‘thieving’).
This episode is perfect for anyone curious about bourbon, history, or the stories that connect us. It’s a celebration of tradition, progress, and the people who make bourbon more than just a spirit. So grab your favorite glass, and join us for a conversation full of history, flavor, and a little bit of magic. Cheers!
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And if you’ve enjoyed exploring bourbon and cocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.
Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!
Links:
Guest:
Valerie Colella, Former Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador, Castle & Key - https://www.instagram.com/therealwhiskeywoman/
Castle & Key - https://www.castleandkey.com/
Additional links + Special thanks to:
WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/
Liam E. Allen (original music) -@Liamea97
“I'm listening to frustrations of women in the industry, and the sad thing is that the things that frustrate me about how I'm treated are the same things that they deal with on a slightly different level after being literally the titan, the top of the crop.”
-Valerie (minute 57:20)
Cocktail Recipe: Castle & Key Bourbon…Neat!
Friends! While at Castle & Key, we were lucky enough to ‘thief’ cask-strength Bourbon directly from the barrel. So, in the spirit of thieving, we're going to keep it neat.
- Cheers, Jason
About our special guest
Valerie Colella
Former Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador at Castle & Key Distillery
Valerie Colella served as a Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador at Castle & Key Distillery from February 2022 to January 2025, where responsibilities included executing the single barrel program and conducting tastings for consumers and industry professionals. Previously, Valerie held the position of Digital Director at Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. from September 2014 to February 2022, overseeing digital marketing initiatives and content creation to enhance brand visibility. Valerie also worked as the Tasting Room & Retail Manager at Smooth Ambler, managing day-to-day operations and implementing the single barrel program. Earlier, as General Manager at Billy Hurricane's from September 2010 to August 2014, Valerie developed craft cocktail programs and managed staff while driving sales growth through targeted promotions.
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