In the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass country is the National Historic Landmark business of the Woodford Reserve Distillery. They are surrounded by thoroughbred horse farms and make small batch bourbon. Attractions near the Woodford Reserve Distillery include Churchill Downs and the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. The stone buildings that enclose the distillery are more than one hundred years old. The first building was erected in 1838.
Rye, malted barley and corn are used in Woodford Reserve bourbon. The different grains give the bourbon sweetness and spice when it is cooked with the local limestone water. The mash is put into cypress fermentation tanks instead of stainless steel. While the bourbon is being distilled it sits in the copper pots that were made in Rothes, Scotland. Once the alcohol is separated from the water the distillery uses steam to push it into the gooseneck.
The bourbon is placed in white oak barrels made in Louisville, Kentucky. These barrels are made without nails or glue. These barrels are known for their strength and sugar content which the distillery has determined is perfect for their needs. During the maturation process the liquid will turn amber because of the changes in the weather. The contrast between the hot summer days and cold winter weather brings about this change. The bourbon begins life in the maturation stage as 158 proof, but the de-mineralized watertakes in to 110 proof.
The Woodford Reserve Distillery is located at 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles, Kentucky 40683. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last tour begins at 3:00 pm and the distillery is closed on all major holidays. They are open on Sundays from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm with the last tour being at 3:00 pm. It is only open on Sundays from April through October.
The tour is five dollars per person for eighteen and older, guests under eighteen are free. They have a guided tour that includes an educational description of the distillery process, the history of bourbon, maturation and bottling. If the guest is over twenty one they will be able to taste the Woodford Reserve bourbon at the Visitor's Center.
The Woodford Reserve Distillery features new drink recipes using their bourbon all the time. People may wish to try a Woodford Reserve Esquire Manhattan. It uses 2 ounces of Woodford Reserve bourbon, 1 ounce Cinzano, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 dash Pernod and 68 absinthe. This drink should be stirred well with a plentiful amount of cracked ice. Other drink recipes that are available are the Woodford Reserve Manhattan with 2 ounces of Woodford Reserve, 1/2 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 2 dashes of bitters, and a splash of grenadine. More recipes can be found at the distilleries web site.
The Woodford Reserve store offers many gifts for purchase including: apparel, accessories, glassware and a section aptly named Last Call. People can find t-shirts, gift certificates and martini glasses or coffee mugs in the Woodford Reserve store.
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