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Everything you need to know about Woodford Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Woodford Reserve Classic Malt Whiskey Master's Collection£359.99 Inc VAT -
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey£37.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Woodrows Reserve, Kentucky, USA. Founded in 1812
Woodford Reserve: Classic Kentucky Bourbon with Timeless Style
Some whiskies feel like a safe pair of hands. Woodford Reserve is one of them. It’s the bourbon you reach for when you want something reliable, polished, and quietly confident. No drama. No noise. Just well-made Kentucky bourbon that knows exactly what it is.
The distillery sits in the rolling countryside of Versailles, Kentucky, on one of the oldest distilling sites in the state. Whisky has been made here since the early 1800s, and you feel that history straight away. Stone buildings. Copper pot stills. Calm surroundings. It’s the sort of place where nothing feels rushed — and that shows in the glass.
Woodford Reserve is unusual in the bourbon world because it uses triple distillation in copper pot stills, which gives its whisky extra smoothness and balance. The mash bill blends corn, rye, and malted barley, creating a style that’s sweet, gently spicy, and easy to enjoy without being boring.
For UK drinkers, Woodford Reserve often acts as a gateway bourbon. But it doesn’t stop there. I’ve seen seasoned whisky fans come back to it again and again, not because it’s flashy, but because it just works — neat, with ice, or in a proper Old Fashioned.
Flavour Profile:
 |
 |
 |
| Oaky/ Woody |
Spicy |
Sweet |
Woodford Reserve is known for its rounded, rich, and balanced bourbon style. It leans into sweetness and oak, with enough spice to keep things interesting.
Woodford Reserve opens with soft vanilla and caramel, followed by warming spice and a touch of orange peel. The oak is present but controlled, giving structure rather than dryness. It’s smooth without feeling flat, and warming without being sharp.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
 |
Vanilla |
 |
Caramel / Toffee |
|
Oak / Wood Spice |
 |
Citrus (Lemon / Orange Zest) |
Woodford Reserve has built a broad range, but everything sticks closely to the house style — polished, balanced, and food-friendly.
| Whisky | Style | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|---|
| Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Bourbon | Vanilla, caramel, gentle spice, smooth oak |
| Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Bourbon | Deeper oak, richer sweetness, toasted wood |
| Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey | Rye | Spicy rye notes with vanilla and citrus |
| Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey | Malt | Toasted grain, cocoa hints, soft spice |
| Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey | Wheat | Gentle sweetness, soft spice, easy finish |
| Woodford Reserve Distillery Series | Limited | Experimental casks and small batches |
If you like consistency, this range delivers. Even the limited releases stay firmly in character.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Woodford Reserve
Address: Woodford Reserve Distillery, 7785 McCracken Pike, Versailles, Kentucky 40383
 Open in maps |
 https://www.woodfordreserve.com/ |
 +1 859 879 1812 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — Woodford Reserve has a full visitor centre, and it’s one of the most polished experiences on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
What you can do there:
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Guided distillery tours
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Bourbon tastings
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Cocktail experiences
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Gift shop
Typical Opening Times:
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Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
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Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Tours usually need booking ahead, especially during peak travel months.
Ownership & Distillery History
Woodford Reserve is produced at the historic Labrot & Graham Distillery and is currently owned by Brown-Forman.
Ownership Timeline:
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1812: Distilling begins on the site
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1800s: Operated as Oscar Pepper Distillery, later Labrot & Graham
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1941: Purchased by Brown-Forman
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Late 1960s: Distillery closed
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1993: Brown-Forman restores the site
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1996 – Present: Woodford Reserve brand launched and continues today
This long history gives Woodford Reserve a rare mix of real heritage and modern bourbon quality control.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Woodford Reserve is a premium Kentucky bourbon brand produced at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky.
The site traces its distilling history back to the early 19th century and is often associated with Elijah Pepper and later James Crow, an influential figure in bourbon production techniques.
The modern Woodford Reserve brand was launched in 1996 by Brown-Forman as a higher-end small batch bourbon, positioned around craftsmanship and flavour complexity.
Production
- Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Distillation: Combination of copper pot stills and column still distillation
- Mash Bill: Corn, rye, and malted barley
- Barrels: New charred American oak
- Fermentation: Long fermentation process contributing to fruit complexity
Woodford Reserve is unusual among major bourbons for its continued use of copper pot stills as part of production.
Whisky Style
Woodford Reserve typically shows:
- Rich caramel and vanilla
- Dried fruit and citrus
- Cocoa and toasted oak
- Rye spice
- Full, balanced finish
The style is structured and layered without being overly aggressive.
Key Expressions
- Woodford Reserve Bourbon – Core flagship expression
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – Extra maturation in heavily toasted oak barrels
- Woodford Reserve Rye – Rye whiskey variant
- Master’s Collection – Experimental and limited releases
Double Oaked is particularly known for its intensified oak sweetness and texture.
Significance
Woodford Reserve played a major role in the premiumisation of bourbon, helping position Kentucky bourbon as a high-end sipping spirit globally.
Its emphasis on production detail, pot still influence, and experimental releases has made it one of the leading premium bourbon brands in the modern whiskey market.
Woodford Reserve Whisky to Buy
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