The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. The perfectly balanced taste of our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is comprised of more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes.
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 worlds most flavorful bourbon.
The grain recipe includes 18% rye, which is high for a bourbon. Rye is an expensive grain, but worth the investment as it allows our whiskey to have a spicy character.
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.
Woodford's fermentation process is among the longest in the industry. This extra time, paired with a unique yeast strain, creates a great depth of character and a complex range of flavors.
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.
Woodford Reserve is matured in new, charred, white oak barrels of their own making. The barrel is a key ingredient in the process, contributing flavor, complexity, and balance. Thats why they craft, toast, and char bourbon barrels at their very own cooperage. After filling, barrels age in unique heat-cycled warehouses until mature.
Chris and Elizabeth have been integral in driving innovation and shaping the story of Woodford Reserve, sharing the belief that the keys to making the Worlds Finest Bourbon are not only time and patience, but science and art. Chris began his career in bourbon in 1976, while Elizabeth moved from her 9-year tenure in R&D to Assistant Master Distiller in 2018. Together they craft whiskeys that are a spectacle for the senses.