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& Key driven largely by economic considerations, we strive to focus on flavor and provenance, as well as partnerships with local farmers to bring back heritage grains. While this approach may not provide the same level of yield reliability as genetically modified grain, it enables us to focus on flavor and produce products that resonate with our consumers. We are constantly striving to improve our product quality.”
Championing circular economy
Sustainability is woven into every part of Castle & Key’ s production process. The company has recently completed phase one of a major solar energy project. This investment is one of the latest steps it’ s taking to reduce its environmental impact. The initiative reduces the distillery’ s carbon footprint, lowers energy costs, and reinforces the company’ s commitment to responsible innovation.
Alongside the solar energy project, Castle & Key has invested in its own fleet of trucks to reduce mileage and associated emissions.“ In 2022,” Brittany continues,“ we upgraded some equipment to facilitate sour mashing. In so doing, we’ ve been able to save $ 300,000 annually because we’ re not shipping out as much slop, which has not only reduced trucking requirements significantly but also means we’ re not using as much citric acid and importantly, water. We’ re also working on a slop upgrade. Currently, our slop is collected by a local farmer and taken to farms around Kentucky for cattle feed. We’ re working on upgrades that will make that product more
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