Editor’s note: This is the first article in a three-part series called the Art of Making Whiskey, which culminates in a special tasting event on December 7 with the award-winning Woodford Reserve bourbon, to benefit Mankind.

Whiskeys in general — and bourbon in particular — are having a moment among discerning drinkers. At the forefront is Woodford Reserve, one of the oldest small-working distilleries in the United States, which has been dedicated to quality bourbon making since 1812.

All bourbon is produced using the five sources of flavor — grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation — and each step in the process impacts the flavor. Woodford Reserve has a special method to create something extraordinary.

We can’t give it all away — you’ll have to come to the event for that — but here’s a taste of what makes Woodford Reserve bourbon among the best:

Grain. The type and percentage of grains used in the process impacts the flavor of bourbon. Woodford Reserve uses a particular grain to create its bold and spicy flavor.

Water. The quality of the water makes a big difference in a bourbon’s flavor profile. At the event, find out what Woodford Reserve’s water does for the fermentation process.

Fermentation. The length of the fermentation process has the most affect on a whiskey’s flavor. Woodford Reserve has a special take on that too.

Distillation. Woodford Reserve’s old distillation process is part of what makes its bourbon so special.

Maturation. Come to the event to learn why Woodford Reserve has an edge over its competition at the maturation process.

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Don't miss the Art of Making Whiskey on December 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, at The Parador. Purchase tickets here.