Woodford Reserve: The Super-Premium Whiskey of Choice for India's Discerning Consumer

Launched in 1996 under Brown-Forman, Woodford Reserve may be young by bourbon standards, but its story reaches far deeper than its modern debut.

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Its heritage is anchored in one of America’s most historic distilleries: the Labrot & Graham Distillery, founded in 1812 amid the rolling landscapes of Woodford County near Versailles, Kentucky.

It was here that Dr. James Christopher Crow refined the sour-mash process, shaping bourbon-making forever. The region is also famed for breeding elite racehorses—thoroughbreds raised on the same iron-free, limestone-rich water that lends Woodford Reserve its unmistakable character.

After decades of changing ownership -- acquired by Brown-Forman in 1941, sold in 1973, and repurchased in 1993 -- the distillery was revitalized with a clear mission: to craft a small-batch bourbon that honoured tradition while elevating modern craftsmanship. The result was Woodford Reserve, now among America’s most respected super-premium whiskeys and one of the world’s top 10 super-premium spirits brands.

Perfectly Balanced, Distinctly Complex

Woodford Reserve’s appeal begins at its source. The brand uses locally grown Shelby County corn and pristine, limestone-filtered water from an underground creek to ensure purity and consistency. A proprietary yeast strain drives fermentation, forming the foundation of its signature style.

Its celebrated flavour emerges from five pillars: grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation. The flagship bourbon reveals rich vanilla, toasted oak, caramel, and subtle spice, finishing with a silky, lingering warmth. Though introduced in 1996, Woodford Reserve helped ignite the global bourbon renaissance and has become synonymous with American luxury craftsmanship.