Woodford Reserve facts for kids
| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Brown-Forman |
| Country of origin | Kentucky, United States |
| Alcohol by volume | 45.20% |
| Proof (US) | 90.4 |
| Related products | Brown-Forman |
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Labrot and Graham's Old Oscar Pepper Distillery
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Versailles, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Area | 72 acres (29 ha) (landmarked area) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late Victorian, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001272 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1995 |
| Designated NHLD | May 15, 2000 |
Woodford Reserve is a special type of bourbon whiskey made in Kentucky, USA. It is known as a "small batch" bourbon, meaning it's made in smaller amounts with extra care. This whiskey is produced in Woodford County, Kentucky, by the Brown-Forman Corporation.
The drink is made by mixing spirits from two different types of equipment. One part comes from copper "pot stills" at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. The other part comes from "column stills" at the Brown Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. Each bottle has its own unique batch and bottle number. Woodford Reserve was first introduced in 1996.
Contents
A Look Back: The Distillery's History
The Woodford Reserve Distillery has a long and interesting past. It used to be called the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery, and later the Labrot & Graham Distillery. You can find it about eight miles from the town of Versailles.
How It All Started
People began making spirits on this site way back in 1812. The main building you see today was built in 1838. This makes it one of the oldest distilleries in all of Kentucky!
The distillery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's also a National Historic Landmark. This is because its buildings are very well-preserved. It also played a big role in how the bourbon industry grew over time.
Important People and Changes
The distillery was first started by Elijah Pepper. Later, his son Oscar Pepper took over. A famous person named James C. Crow worked there in the mid-1800s. He helped make the process of creating bourbon much better. He improved things like "sour mash" fermentation, using "pot stills" for distilling, and how the whiskey aged in barrels.
After Oscar Pepper passed away, his son James E. Pepper ran the distillery. In 1878, the Pepper family sold the property to Leopold Labrot and James Graham. They kept the distillery running, except during a time called Prohibition. During Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcohol.
In 1941, the Brown-Forman Corporation bought the distillery. They operated it until the late 1960s. Then, they sold the land to a local farmer. But Brown-Forman bought it back in 1993. They fixed it up and started making whiskey there again. The Woodford Reserve brand was launched in 1996.
What's Made There Today
The distillery makes several types of Woodford Reserve products. These include Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Double Oaked, Straight Rye Whiskey, Straight Malt Whiskey, and Wheat Whiskey. They also create special limited editions. Some of these are the Master's Collection and a special bottle for the Kentucky Derby.
Meet the Master Distiller
Since 2003, Chris Morris has been the Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. This means he is in charge of making sure the whiskey is made perfectly. Elizabeth McCall is the Assistant Master Distiller.
Awards and Good Reviews
Woodford Reserve has received many good scores from groups that rate spirits. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, it won a "double gold medal" in 2005 and 2013. It has also won other gold and silver medals at this event. Many experts agree it is a high-quality product.
Special Releases
In 2022, Woodford Reserve released a special "Honey Barrel Finish" as part of its Distillery Series. This unique bourbon was aged in barrels that used to hold local honey from Woodford County. This gave the whiskey a special honey flavor.
Getting the Word Out: Marketing Activities
The Woodford Reserve Distillery welcomes visitors for tours. It is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. These programs help people learn about the history of whiskey making.
Woodford Reserve is also the "official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby". This is a famous horse race. On Derby Day, they use Woodford Reserve to make a very special, expensive mint julep cocktail. The money from these special drinks goes to help charities.
Woodford Reserve's parent company, Brown-Forman, is now the main sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. The famous race is now called "the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve."
