# 388: How Woodford Reserve Masters Tradition & Innovation with Elizabeth McCall

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bourbon-lens-1160749/388-how-woodford-reserve-masters-tradition-innovation-with-elizabeth-mccall
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bourbon-lens-1160749/388-how-woodford-reserve-masters-tradition-innovation-with-elizabeth-mccall.md
Podcast: [Bourbon Lens](https://stenobird.com/podcast/bourbon-lens-1160749)
Published: 2026-06-21T19:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d50796ec35452f45f41840a4ce6bc8da4cf3a6cf42a6118ccd661fff23d59f2b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZmY5Yjk4YS1hNzNlLTRhMjQtOGYwYi04OTE1ZTM1MjQxZDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI1OTExYTg0OC0wODVkLTQ2ZjctYTFjMy00ZDIwMjkyYTE3MDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODI4YjkwMzQ1Y2QwY2M3ZDY2NGRkOWUiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmEzMmFhZmIwYTZkNGQxNGIyMzViNDQ3L2pha2UtbGV3ZWxsZW5zLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTYtMTdfXzE2LTExLTcubXAzIn0=.mp3
Audio file: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d50796ec35452f45f41840a4ce6bc8da4cf3a6cf42a6118ccd661fff23d59f2b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZmY5Yjk4YS1hNzNlLTRhMjQtOGYwYi04OTE1ZTM1MjQxZDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI1OTExYTg0OC0wODVkLTQ2ZjctYTFjMy00ZDIwMjkyYTE3MDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODI4YjkwMzQ1Y2QwY2M3ZDY2NGRkOWUiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmEzMmFhZmIwYTZkNGQxNGIyMzViNDQ3L2pha2UtbGV3ZWxsZW5zLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTYtMTdfXzE2LTExLTcubXAzIn0=.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bourbon-lens-1160749/episodes/388-how-woodford-reserve-masters-tradition-innovation-with-elizabeth-mccall
Duration seconds: 1747

## Resource

Dive into the rich history, craftsmanship, and innovative spirit of Woodford Reserve in this exclusive interview with Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. Since bursting onto the scene in 1996, Woodford Reserve has been a driving force in revitalizing the Kentucky bourbon industry and inspiring the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In this episode, Elizabeth pulls back the curtain on how the iconic brand maintains its premium, complex flavor profile while remaining remarkably accessible to whiskey lovers everywhere. We explore their unique triple pot distillation process, the critical role of Kentucky limestone water, and how meticulous sensory and analytical testing ensure flawless batch consistency. Plus, get a firsthand look into the future of bourbon as Elizabeth shares details on Woodford’s cutting-edge agricultural innovations—including the Heirloom Red Corn release and the Kentucky Rye Project. Whether you're a casual fan of their signature Double Oaked or a seasoned whiskey connoisseur, this episode is packed with insights into the art and science of bourbon making. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller 02:39 - History of Woodford Reserve and its role in Kentucky bourbon revitalization 04:00 - The significance of water source and Kentucky's limestone influence 06:33 - Innovation and leadership in premium bourbon through packaging and flavor development 07:36 - Balancing luxury perception with accessible pricing 08:47 - The meticulous process of quality control and batch consistency 10:10 - The spectrum of flavor attributes in Woodford Reserve whiskey 11:26 - Sensory profiling and the brand’s signature flavor complexity 12:08 - Personal favorites and the appeal of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 13:56 - Unique disti…

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