Woodford Reserve is marking its 15th year as the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby®” with its annual Derby commemorative bottle. This year’s “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” will be run at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 4.
Each year, an artist is commissioned to create an original Derby-themed painting to be used on the label. This year, Oregon-based painter Eric Bowman was selected to create the artwork for the commemorative bottle. His painting shows two horses and their jockeys racing for the finish line at Churchill Downs, with the track’s historic Twin Spires and grandstands in the background. Bowman’s signature appears on the sky blue neck band.
The Derby commemorative 1-liter bottle will be available in 46 U.S. states starting in March at a suggested retail price of $43.99.
Woodford Reserve’s history in horse racing dates back to shortly after the debut of the brand in 1996. In addition to serving as the Derby’s official Bourbon, Woodford also sponsors one of the preliminary races at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic is considered to be one of Thoroughbred racing’s top turf events, with a $500,000 purse. Woodford Reserve also had its own racing stable for several years with horses such as “Angel’s Share” and “Reserve My Heart”.
Links: Woodford Reserve
