What happens when you swap traditional yellow corn for a rare, deep-pigmented heirloom grain? You get one of the most unique, grain-forward releases in the history of the Bourbon Lens.

In this episode, we review the newly unveiled Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn Bourbon. Clocking in at 90.4 proof and packaged in their collectible 375ml format ($64.99 MSRP), this limited edition showcases a massive push into agricultural innovation led by Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.

The story behind this whiskey is a true testament to Kentucky terroir and pure resilience. The heirloom red corn was grown on a local farm directly adjacent to the historic distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. However, during the growing season several years ago, a massive summer storm swept through Woodford County, flattening and destroying a significant portion of the stalks. The resulting low yield means the remaining harvest—and the liquid inside this bottle—is exceptionally rare.

Jake breaks down how this deep-pigmented heirloom corn shifts the flavor wheel completely away from standard Woodford sweetness into a bolder, softer, and highly savory presentation. We dive into a rich nosh of dark chocolate, spiced cherry, and green apple, followed by a warm palate medley of baking spices, tarts custard, and sun tea. Find out if this weather-damaged experiment holds its own against traditional yellow corn mash bills!

• 00:00 - Groundbreaking Grain: Intro to Woodford Reserve's heirloom red corn innovation
• 00:26 - The 51% Rule: Breaking down standard bourbon regulations vs. heirloom varietals
• 00:36 - Destructive Terroir: How a massive Kentucky storm cut the crop yield and created rarity
• 01:06 - Agricultural Chemistry: The atmospheric elements shaping modern craft distillation
• 01:34 - Nosing the Glass: Unpacking rich notes of dark chocolate, baking spice, and green apple
• 02:28 - Flavor Profile: Unlocking deep layers of dried cherries, toasted pecans, and mocha
• 02:54 - First Sip: Checking approachability, tart cherry custard, and balanced wood tannins
• 03:24 - Mid-Palate Shift: Savoring nuances of brown sugar, clove, cinnamon, and pepper
• 03:44 - Texture & Finish: Analyzing the velvety viscosity, lingering spice, and sun tea notes
• 04:12 - Changing the Mash Bill: Market appeal and how red corn creates a softer whiskey
• 04:29 - Head-to-Head: Comparing Woodford Red Corn to other grain innovators like Frey Ranch
• 04:58 - Final Thoughts: Is this limited 375ml Distillery Series release worth the hunt?
• 05:11 - Pour Recommendations: Tailoring advice for seasoned enthusiasts vs. casual drinkers
• 05:41 - Outro: Inviting listener feedback and wrap-up

What happens when Vermont’s most rebellious rye whiskey brand sets up a permanent outpost directly in the heart of Bourbon Country?

In this episode of Bourbon Lens, we visit The Vault by WhistlePig in Louisville, KY. We sit down with Lead Research Distiller Mitch Mahar and GM Kevin Didio to explore how they are challenging Kentucky’s bourbon dominance with bold rye innovation.

Mitch shares the legacy of Dave Pickerell and breaks down their wildest blending experiments, including The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame—aged rye finished in pulque curado de cacao barrels with a kick of native chili peppers. Then, Kevin takes us inside their experiential vault tasting room to discuss their viral signature cocktail, The Flying Pig, which is served to guests via automated pneumatic tubes overhead!

• 00:00 - Live from Louisville: WhistlePig’s The Vault Experience
• 00:26 - Mitch Mahar on rye whiskey diversity and innovation
• 01:09 - The legacy of Dave Pickerell & reviving pre-prohibition rye
• 03:50 - Decoding The Boss Hog XII: Fermented pulque & chili peppers
• 06:12 - Invading Kentucky: How bourbon drinkers respond to premium rye
• 15:14 - Louisville Tourism & scouting the historic NuLu site with Kevin Didio
• 17:26 - The Flying Pig: The viral pneumatic tube cocktail system
• 23:19 - Behind the Heavy Door: Inside the private Vault tasting single barrels
• 29:19 - The "Wow" Factor: Why experiential retail is the future of spirits

• WhistlePig Whiskey Website
• The Vault by WhistlePig Louisville

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#WhistlePigWhiskey #TheVaultLouisville #RyeWhiskey #BourbonLens #BossHogXII #MitchMahar #KevinDidio #WhiskeyInnovation #LouisvilleTourism #FlyingPigCocktail

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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.

• 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 distillation methods, including Irish-inspired triple pot distillation
• 14:25 - Batch formulation and the challenge of maintaining consistency in natural products
• 17:37 - Agricultural innovation: The Red Corn project and its flavor implications
• 19:07 - Insights from growing heirloom varieties and the importance of farming practices
• 20:50 - The role of grains like rye and corn in whiskey’s agricultural landscape
• 22:48 - The master distiller's role in understanding and managing agricultural inputs
• 24:12 - Navigating label laws, production costs, and consumer value
• 25:36 - The breadth of Woodford Reserve’s portfolio and ongoing innovation
• 27:07 - Future outlook: Balance between tradition, experimentation, and brand integrity
• 28:54 - Elizabeth's legacy and aspirations for the next decade
• 29:58 - Closing remarks and appreciation for curiosity and tradition in whiskey-making

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly discussions, tastings, and bourbon insights from the Bourbon Lens community.

📸 Follow on Instagram: @bourbonlens

🌐 Visit: www.bourbonlens.com

👕 Merch: https://bourbon-lens-shop.printify.me/products

💬 Discord: https://discord.gg/pd6ys5nRSU