Woodford Reserve sits on Kentucky's oldest distilling site, where Elijah Pepper began making whiskey in 1812—the same year Buffalo Trace built its first distillery building. The site is a National Historic Landmark, recognized for the continuous distillation that began over 200 years ago. But Woodford Reserve's identity is much more recent, shaped by deliberate philosophy and architectural audacity. The distillery that exists today is visually distinctive—a collection of stone buildings that feel more European than Kentuckian. That's intentional. In the 1990s, Woodford Reserve made a radical choice: they installed three copper pot stills and adopted Irish-style triple distillation. At the time, pot stills were basically extinct in American bourbon production (every other major distillery uses column stills). Woodford decided to bring them back. Why? Because the world's most prestigious spirits—Cognac from France, Single Malt Scotch from Scotland—are made in copper pot stills. Woodford wanted to compete for the premium drinker's mindset and palate. The philosophy is simple: more separation, more purity, more refinement. Copper pot stills create different flavor compounds than column stills. The copper interacts with the spirit. Triple distillation removes more impurities. The result is a bourbon that tastes different from everything else Kentucky produces. Master Distiller Chris Morris (now Emeritus) championed this approach, and current Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall continues the legacy. In 2021, they announced an expansion to double production by installing three more pot stills (going from three to six), showing their commitment to this approach. The distillery is beautiful, designed for visitors. The grounds feature the historic Dryer House, a water source overlooking the production facility, barrels aging in a traditional warehouse, and a visitor center that feels more like a luxury experience than a standard bourbon tour operation.
- Woodford Reserve is the only distillery in Kentucky using triple copper pot distillation: . No other major bourbon producer makes this choice. It's what makes them genuinely different.
- The site is where Elijah Pepper started distilling in 1812: , making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in America.
- Copper pot stills create different flavor compounds than column stills: , which is why Woodford tastes distinctly different from other bourbons. The copper itself interacts with the spirit.
- They're doubling production capacity with six copper pot stills instead of three: , showing massive commitment to the copper pot still philosophy.
- The Dryer House is a historic building overlooking the water source: , used for tastings and experiences with views of the Kentucky landscape.
- Chris Morris was the visionary Master Distiller: who championed the pot still approach and created Woodford Reserve's current profile. He's now Emeritus, with Elizabeth McCall leading.
- Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby: . The Mint Julep made with Woodford Reserve is the official cocktail of horse racing's most famous race.
- The distillery features traditional stone architecture: that looks more like a European whisky producer than a Kentucky bourbon distillery—by design.
- Woodford Double Oaked is aged twice: —first in a standard barrel, then re-barreled in a deeply toasted, lightly charred virgin oak barrel for about a year. It's a finishing technique usually reserved for much older spirits.
- The visitor experience is one of the most premium on the bourbon trail: , with experiences ranging from $25 to $500 VIP experiences with the Master Distiller.