Castle & Key Distillery and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier Announce Luxurious CollaborationThe Gin & Tonic Truffle Bar Bar featuring Castle & Key Roots of Ruin Gin is the first in a series of liquor-infused chocolates between the Kentucky distillery and chocolatier
Bissinger's Handcrafted ChocolatierJan 28, 2025
St. Louis, MO (January 28, 2025) — Two brands with historic roots are excited to announce the launch of a liquor infused chocolate line. The unique collaboration between Frankfort, KY distillery Castle & Key and St. Louis, MO chocolatier Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier will slowly roll out in 2025, with different products launching every few months. The first in the series is the Castle & Key x Bissinger's Gin & Tonic Truffle Bar (SRP: $7) available at select retailers such as Barnes & Noble this spring and is currently online at Bissingers.com.
"As a lover of both spirits and chocolate – working with Castle & Key has been one of our most exciting collaborations yet,” says Bissinger’s Chief Chocolate Officer, Dan Abel Jr. “The decadent dark chocolate bar offers a sophisticated indulgence for both chocolate and gin enthusiasts.”
This unique treat is crafted with Castle & Key distillery’s renowned Roots of Ruin Gin, a spirit celebrated for its complex botanical profile which includes juniper, chamomile, ginger, rosemary, licorice root, lemon verbena, coriander, and angelica root. Infused into Bissinger’s luxurious chocolate, the result is a truffle bar that’s both refined and indulgent. The three ounce bar has less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.
"Castle & Key’s distillery team is committed to experimentation and our Roots of Ruin Gin is one of our flagship products,” says Tommie Wilson, Regional Manager & Buyer at Castle & Key Distillery. "The gin was the ideal match for Bissinger’s chocolate because of the balanced notes of citrus and lemon verbena. It’s delicately complex with a distinct earthy character, and the resulting bar is subtle—a true testament to the artistry of both brands. This collaboration allows us to create a unique, indulgent tasting experience and we look forward to ongoing experimentation together."
Other products planned for the liquor-infused chocolate line include bourbon and vodka-infused confections.
Castle & Key is steeped in Kentucky distilling history. With its stunning site dating back to 1887, the distillery is known both as the birthplace of bourbon hospitality and for the high-quality Kentucky spirits made there today. In 2014, Co-Founder Will Arvin began restoring The Old Taylor Distillery — which had fallen to ruin after decades of neglect — with a vision of creating an immersive distillery experience.
Today, the restored distillery has become a popular travel destination for enthusiasts of spirits and history alike. The facility expertly juxtaposes historic architecture and spirits production alongside expansive gardens and public spaces designed by famed fine gardener Jon Carloftis.
The blending team, led by Head Blender Brett Connors, works to accentuate the quality of the spirits produced by the distillers and diverse maturation environments. Castle & Key’s core portfolio includes annual releases of Bourbon, Restoration Rye Whiskey, Sacred Spring Vodka, and Roots of Ruin Gin. Additionally, limited-time, seasonal, and distillery-only exclusives highlight the efforts and innovation of the distillery’s research and development team.
For information about Castle & Key’s spirit offerings, tours, and tastings, please visit CastleAndKey.com or follow @CastleandKey on Instagram.
About Bissinger’s
The Bissinger family began its storied tradition of crafting confections in 17th century France, where our legendary chocolate was enjoyed by European nobility and heads of state. According to accounts passed down from generation to generation, Bissinger's confections were a delicacy among notable names such as Napoleon Bonaparte and the Rothschilds, and the family was even granted the title of Confiseur Imperial (Confectioner of the Empire) by King Louis XIV.
Some years later, in 1845, Karl Bissinger would leave France, bringing his loyal master confectioner and all of the Bissinger family secrets to the United States. He settled just outside of Cincinnati, where he opened the very first Bissinger's kitchen in America. In 1927, his son, also named Karl, would carry on the Bissinger's tradition, opening his own kitchen in St. Louis- the city our company still calls home.
At Bissinger's, we believe in the art of handcrafting chocolates and take our love of chocolate very seriously. Our goal has never been to be the biggest chocolatier in the world, only the finest.
Jan 28, 2025
