The Woodford Reserve brand was launched in 1996, so it’s relatively young in the bourbon world. However, the history of the distillery itself and it impacts on the distilled spirits industry date back to 1812. It was in that year that the first log cabin distillery was built on the site by Elijah Pepper in Versailles, Kentucky, which is located in Woodford County.
They’re led by Master Distiller, Chris Morris– who is not a generational distiller like many of his counterparts. He did grow up in the industry, though, as both his mother and father were distillery employees.
Morris himself has worked with Woodford Reserve since 1976 and took on his current role in 2003. He has been responsible for continuing the signature taste of the brand’s flagship bourbon as well as developing special bottlings. These include Woodford’s Double Oaked, Rye as well as the Master’s Collection bourbons like this bottling which was just released as part of the winter 2024/2025 collection. This is the first time that Woodford has sent me their uber-rare Double Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey. You might want to grab one before it’s gone.