Inspired By Bourbon's History
Woodford Reserve is situated among beautiful horse farms - in fact, it’s one of the only places in Kentucky where you can see the state’s two most famous products – Bourbon whiskey and thoroughbred horses – maturing side-by-side. The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. You get that sense of history. The history of bourbon is the history of Kentucky, is the history of the United States.
The Five Sources of Flavor
Grain Recipe
Woodford Reserve is crafted from a grain recipe of 72% corn, 18% Rye, and 10% malted barley. This recipe balances the sweetness of corn with the spice of rye, and the nuttiness of malt to build the base for the world’s most flavorful bourbon.
Water Source
The water we use to craft Woodford Reserve comes directly from the distillery. It is naturally filtered by the limestone deposits under our property. Iron-free and mineral rich, it is a crucial ingredient in process.
Fermentation
Our fermentation process is among the longest in the industry. This extra time, paired with our unique yeast strain, creates a great depth of character and a complex range of flavors.
Distillation
The perfectly balanced flavor of Woodford Reserve comes from a careful batching process of whiskey distilled in pot stills and whiskey distilled in column stills. No other whiskey can boast such a flavor combination.
Maturation
We mature Woodford Reserve in new, charred, white oak barrels of our own making. The barrel is a key ingredient in our process, contributing flavor, complexity, and balance. That’s why we craft, toast, and char bourbon barrels at our very own cooperage. After filling, barrels age in our unique heat-cycled warehouses until mature.
Our Distillers
Chris Morris & Elizabeth McCall
We believe the World’s Finest Bourbon is crafted through a unique blend of time, patience, science, and art. For years, this philosophy has been championed by our Master Distillers, Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall, who have been instrumental in driving innovation and shaping the very essence of Woodford Reserve. Chris began his career in bourbon in 1976, while Elizabeth’s journey with us began in 2009 in our R&D department. Appointed Master Distiller in 2023, she continues to push the boundaries of flavor and craftsmanship alongside Chris in his new role of Master Distiller Emeritus.
Our vision for protecting and conserving natural resources
Sustainability
98%
of waste material recycled, across all operations.
Acres of Land
on the Woodford Reserve property dedicated to native grass restoration.
97%
of food scraps are composted on the Woodford Reserve property.
Tours
Explore the history of bourbon, our five sources of flavor, and our historic barrelhouse alongside peaceful Glenn’s Creek.
