Woodford is Kentucky’s oldest distillery, though it was not continuously operated. The elder Pepper passed his farm to his son while crated the Old Oscar Pepper distillery [1812-1878] until Labrot & Graham purchased it and ran it from 1878-1941. Brown & Forman bought the distillery in 1941 and ran it thru the late 1960s before Labrot & Graham repurchased it, then sold it again to Brown & Forman in 1993. The current mash bill is 72% corn, 18% Rye and 10% Barley joined with iron-free limestone filtered water in a post still, triple distilled process. It is a close cousin too Old Forester and the product enters #4 charred barrels at 125 proof and is aged for 6-7 years (but bears no age statement). Brown-Forman produces Woodford at multiple distilleries, but appears to age it all at Woodford. Woodford Reserve has a nice nose of oak and caramel and has smooth legs on the swirl. It is a smooth bourbon with no burn and an oaky taste with cinnamon and citrus with notes of toffee and caramel. The mellow and light finish is good, but unremarkable. Woodford Reserve is a classic and should be in every bourbon drinker’s collection and an everyday bourbon. It is not complex or particularly unique, but it is an affordable quality bourbon that should be within arm’s reach to decompress from a hectic workday.