WOODFORD RESERVE

Woodford Reserve is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery (formerly Labrot and Graham) near the town of Versailles in Woodford County, Kentucky. Distilling has taken place on the site since 1812, making it one of the oldest working distilleries in the state. If Michelin were handing out stars to bourbon distilleries, Woodford Reserve would be a leading contender for its superb range of small batch, handcrafted whiskeys.

The distillery remains devoted to traditional production methods, using mineral rich limestone water, a high proportion of rye to enhance spice character, and cypress wood fermenters. The spirit is distilled in copper pot stills, then matured in new charred white oak barrels in stone warehouses where the temperature is carefully managed through the seasons. Following maturation, the bourbons are bottled with a batch number and their own individual bottle number.

Elizabeth McCall

Elizabeth McCall is the third Master Distiller in Woodford Reserve's history, taking up the role in 2023 after more than a decade of training under her mentor, Chris Morris. She joined parent company Brown Forman in 2009 in its Research and Development department, where she began her career setting up the tasting panels that keep the company's whiskeys true to style.

Her talent for flavour saw her named Master Taster in 2015 and Assistant Master Distiller in 2018, working alongside Chris on the development of new releases. Today she oversees quality and innovation across the range and leads the brand's most special bottlings, including the Master's Collection and Distillery Series.

Elizabeth is the second generation of her family to work in spirits, following in her mother's footsteps, and holds a master's degree from the University of Louisville. Chris Morris remains part of the Woodford Reserve team as Master Distiller Emeritus, the highest honour a distiller can achieve, ensuring the craft and character he built continue to guide every bottle.