Description
Every spring, Woodford Reserve dresses its classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon in a new label for the Kentucky Derby. The brand has released a commemorative Derby bottle each year since 1999. The bottles come in a 1-liter size, and the artwork changes with every running of the race.
Woodford Reserve has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999. Since 2018 it has also been a presenting sponsor of the race. Many fans collect a bottle each year as a keepsake.
The bourbon inside comes from the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. Bourbon was first made on that site in 1812, and it is now a National Historic Landmark. It is bottled at 90.4 proof, or 45.2% ABV.
The nose is heavy with rich dried fruit, mint and orange, all dusted with cocoa. Faint vanilla and tobacco spice sit underneath. On the palate it is rich, chewy and smooth, with citrus, cinnamon and cocoa. Toffee, caramel and chocolate fill in the middle. The finish is silky, almost creamy, with a long, warm tail.
The same bourbon has a long medal record. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, judges handed it Double Gold in 2013 and again in 2023. It took Gold there in 2011, and the brand lists a Double Gold from 2005. The International Spirits Challenge gave it Gold in 2003 and 2012.
Mix a Mint Julep on Derby Day or stir an Old Fashioned. Pair it with smoked meats, pecan pie, dark chocolate or aged cheddar. Whether you follow the race or just enjoy good bourbon, this bottle earns a spot on your shelf.
