Imagine finding yourself transported to the green hills of Kentucky without ever leaving Australia—a place where copper stills gleam like treasures under the sun, and the air carries whispers of grain, fire, and barrel-aged tradition. Such was the experience at Woodford Reserve’s exclusive dinner, an evening that pulled back the curtain on the soul of Kentucky bourbon, where every dram was a page in a story that began over two centuries ago.
And the storyteller guiding this journey?
None other than Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller, Elizabeth McCall, visiting from Kentucky for the first time. This was no ordinary event; it was a masterclass in craftsmanship, pairing fine bourbons with exquisite dishes, revealing the secrets behind what some call the world’s most luxurious Old Fashioned.
Elizabeth McCall: The Guardian of the Barrel’s Secrets
Elizabeth McCall has established herself as the keeper of Kentucky’s legacy. A Master Distiller with an artist’s sensibilities, McCall spends her days coaxing nuanced flavors from oak barrels, blending tradition and innovation to create bourbons that speak to the heart.
If you peer into one of those barrels, it’s almost as if you’re seeing into the roots of American history itself—a story McCall tells with every batch, crafted with reverence and precision.
Her journey began humbly, joining Brown-Forman’s Research and Development team in 2009. Over years of careful apprenticeship, McCall honed her senses to detect the slightest whisper of spice or caramel in a batch. And as if sculpting with taste and time, she rose from taster to Master Distiller in 2023. The torch she carries isn’t only for quality but also for innovation—she oversees the evolution of Woodford’s most special releases, from the Master’s Collection to the coveted Distillery Series.
From Wood and Flame: The Story of Woodford Reserve
The Woodford Reserve Distillery is a place where history ages in every cask, where even the walls seem to echo with the sounds of past distillers. It was here, on these grounds, that the bourbon’s journey began in 1812, under the careful eye of Elijah Pepper.
Generations later, James C. Crow, a chemistry-minded distiller, arrived to refine the sour mash fermentation and barrel aging techniques that would become the backbone of bourbon craftsmanship.
Each bottle of Woodford is a tribute to those who came before, every sip a nod to tradition. Yet Woodford Reserve is more than the sum of its ingredients; it’s a confluence of rich Kentucky soil, pure limestone-filtered water, and masterful distillation. From the moment the grains meet fire, they transform, taking on layers of complexity as they rest in charred barrels, aging like a quiet thunderstorm on the horizon.
A Toast to the Trio: Woodford Reserve’s Star-Studded Lineup
Woodford’s Distiller’s Select struts in with a subtle swagger, oozing warmth like a Southern drawl that’s not in any hurry. The first impression on the nose is a soft honeyed breeze, carrying whispers of roasted oak, vanilla, and a hint of leather—as if you’re leaning back in a well-loved armchair, surrounded by old books and a crackling fire.
On the palate, it opens like a velvet curtain, revealing a stage of almonds, ginger, and a slight kick of roasted coffee beans. It’s creamy, mouth-coating goodness, with that rye spice lifting it to a slow-burn finish that lingers like a Southern summer sunset. This is bourbon that knows how to keep you coming back, each sip a reminder that smooth doesn’t have to mean simple.
Woodford’s Rye is a maverick in the lineup—juicy, fruity, and playful on the nose, like cherry bubblegum daring you to guess what’s next. But don't let that playful front fool you. Underneath, there’s a dark, earthy depth: burnt marshmallows, brown sugar, and that sweet, musty oak that Woodford fans know and love.
As it opens on the palate, the flavors take you on a ride, with dried fruits and tobacco bringing a mature edge, a little like walking through a forest at dusk.
The finish surprises with a hint of green apple and a flash of rye spice that leaves you ready for another sip. It’s a complex pour that keeps things intriguing—perfect for bourbon lovers with a rebellious streak.
Proceedings were rounded out by the Double Oaked, which is dressed to the nines in warm wood spice and rich caramel, like a bourbon that’s been invited to the fanciest party in town. The nose greets you with a swirl of cinnamon stick, dark berries, and a rich chocolate undertone. Sip it, and you're hit with a wave of toasty oak, vanilla bean ice cream, and caramel-coated nuts. There’s a cherry sweetness that’s almost decadent, complemented by a faint, sophisticated hint of polished leather and tobacco leaf. The finish is short but oh-so-sweet, leaving a lingering kiss of oak, dark chocolate, and cherries that’s hard to resist.
More Than a Drink: The Passion of Woodford
When Elizabeth McCall speaks of Woodford Reserve, she describes a journey from grain to glass, one that touches not just those who drink it, but everyone who crafts it. "Woodford is a brand built from pure passion," McCall shared. “It’s all the pieces—the liquid, the bottle, the place, and the people—that make it special.” It’s as if each bottle is a love letter to Woodford County itself, an offering distilled from the land and the hands that tend it.
As the evening unfolded, McCall guided guests through the flavors and nuances, illustrating the art of whiskey-making like a painter describing the layers of a masterpiece. Each glass raised was a tribute to heritage, each toast a nod to the dreamers and doers who shaped this brand.
And as the final sip lingered and reverberated, there was a sense that we had tasted something more than whiskey—something closer to the heart of Kentucky itself, distilled into liquid gold.
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of KAW.