Our first stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was Woodford Reserve — beautiful grounds, a well-run tasting, and a product that absolutely earns its reputation.
Arriving by RV
One of the small pleasures of traveling by RV is that you notice things other visitors miss — like the fact that Woodford Reserve has actual RV parking signs directing you to a dedicated lot. That's a thoughtful touch. We parked next to a handsome building that turned out to be a cocktail-and-food pairing venue, which wasn't quite what we were after. The tasting room was in a separate building on the grounds, and it took a quick question to a staff member to find it — signage for the tastings and tours could definitely be improved.
"Instead of just drinking, you're learning to identify what you're tasting and why."
Five Samples, Five Stories
We hadn't made a reservation, but they folded us into the next tasting without any fuss. Five samples were arranged at each seat, with coasters identifying the key flavor profiles: grains, wood, fruits and floral, spice, and sweet aromatics. It's a smart way to structure a tasting — instead of just drinking, you're learning to identify what you're tasting and why. The bourbon itself was excellent. Classy presentation, beautiful grounds, great product. I'd give it four stars without hesitation.
What Makes Woodford Worth the Stop
Woodford Reserve sits on a historic distillery site in Versailles, Kentucky, and the setting alone justifies the visit — stone buildings, rolling pastures, and the kind of quiet that makes you want to linger. The tasting experience is polished without being stuffy, and the staff clearly know their product. If you're doing the Bourbon Trail with an RV, Woodford is an easy first stop: accessible, well-organized, and a genuine introduction to what Kentucky bourbon is all about.
