In 1797, Elijah Pepper began making small batches of handcrafted whisky in a small distillery behind the Woodford County Courthouse in Versailles, Kentucky. As Pepper’s business grew, so did his need for a larger distillery and a ready supply of limestone water. In 1812, on the Grassy Springs branch of Glenn’s Creek located just outside Versailles, Pepper found what he needed.

            Elijah Pepper passed away in 1831, and in 1833 his son, Oscar, hired Dr James Crow, a trained physician and chemist from Scotland, as his head distiller. Crow spent the next twenty-two years working at the distillery, and his efforts changed the face of the American distilling industry forever.

            As much a scientist as distiller, Crow perfected the sour mash fermentation process-assuring a more consistent whisky from batch to batch, and still used by bourbon distillers today. He also pioneered the use of charred oak barrels for superior aging, a definitive standard in today’s industry.

            Word of the quality bourbon being produced in the distillery on Glenn’s Creek spread. Devotees included Daniel Webster, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Andrew Jackson and noted Kentucky statesman Henry Clay.

            The passing of Oscar Pepper in 1865 eventually led to a new breed of owners. It was purchased by Leopold Labrot and James Graham in 1878.

            Labrot and Graham operated the distillery until 1940, at which time it was purchased by Louisville based Brown-Forman Corp. They operated it until 1968, by which time small boutique distilleries had become too expensive to run, and it was closed and sold as farm land.

            In 1994, Brown-Forman recreated a by-gone era by repurchasing and restoring the distillery to its pre prohibition status.The goal was to craft Kentucky’s finest bourbon at the location where its production process was perfected. Woodford Reserve was introduced in 1996 to great acclaim and is the first bourbon to win top honors at all three of the industry’s most prestigious tasting competitions.

            In 2003, the distillery was renamed The Woodford Reserve Distillery to honor its leading brand.

            The Woodford Reserve Distillery has returned to its roots as a small boutique distillery and remains prouder than ever of its heritage. It is the only distillery in the country where the traditional craft of bourbon production can be found; a consistent supply of pure, cold limestone spring water, small cypress fermentation vats, unique copper stills (the traditional means of producing true small batch bourbons) and 19th century limestone maturation warehouses.

            The result is a product with the unique quality and taste that today’s consumer of premium spirits demands, and that Elijah Pepper himself would be proud to offer. It is more than just the finest Kentucky Bourbon Whisky  produced today. It’s a rare taste of history.

            Saveur Magazine describes Woodford as “…a 90.4 proof masterpiece that is soft and delicate, with an irresistible apricot and honey flavor.” Part of Underground Wine Journal’s description includes “…creamy vanilla, sweet caramel, delicate buttery notes and balanced fruitiness. One of the top bourbons we have ever tasted…”

            Woodford Reserve is the “Official Bourbon” of two of horse racing’s most important events: The Kentucky Derby and the Breeder’s Cup.