WOODFORD RESERVE

Woodford Reserve is created at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery (Labrot & Graham Proprietors) in Woodford County, the smallest and oldest operating distillery in Kentucky, which dates back to 1812. If Michelin were handing out stars to bourbon whiskey distilleries, Woodford Reserve would be a leading contender for their superb range of small batch, hand-crafted offerings.

Their historic distillery is located near the town of Versailles in Woodford County, Kentucky, with the current distillery building the oldest operating distillery in Kentucky, dating back to around 1812 (although records show that distilling has been conducted on the site since 1780).

The distillery is the smallest in the USA and the only one still practising traditional production methods, using mineral-rich filtered limestone water, a high percentage of rye to enhance spice characters and fermenting in cypress vat fermenters. After distillation in triple copper pot stills, the spirit is matured in a climate-controlled environment in new charred white oak barrels. Following maturation, the bourbons are bottled with a batch number and their own individual bottle numbers.

Chris Morris knows whiskey. As the second Master Distiller at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, Chris was an integral character in the development of Woodford Reserve. As head Master Distiller of one of the world’s fastest growing bourbons, he spends his days innovating and planning future releases. The mastermind behind Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Rye, and Master’s Collection, Chris knows the keys to making good whiskey are time and patience, but having a sense of good craftsmanship is also a talent that goes a long way.

“The idea is to create new and different things with an artisan’s touch, Chris said. “Things nobody’s ever done before while maintaining the essence of Woodford Reserve that everyone loves.”

Chris began his career in bourbon in 1976 as a trainee in Brown-Forman’s central lab. In 1997, he found himself as an understudy to Lincoln Henderson, Woodford Reserve’s Inaugural Master Distiller, who in 2003 Chris succeeded. In the years that followed, Chris was responsible for creating the world’s first bourbon finished in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Barrels. He’s also credited with developing the world’s first maple barrel; a difficult feat made easier when you command your own cooperage.