Woodford Reserve releases its most expensive bourbon ever to honor the Kentucky Derby
In honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, sponsor Woodford Reserve has created something special for the winner and a very limited number of friends.
The Kentucky distillery, which is the presenting sponsor of the historic Thoroughbred horse race, has produced its most expensive and rarest version of the premium bourbon yet.
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The winner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby will be presented with a $15,000 version of Woodford Reserve.
“This decanter embodies the spirit of Kentucky and the spectacle of Derby,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, in a news release from Brown-Forman.
This special edition was aged in three barrels: The original bourbon barrel, a cognac cask and a “couture barrel whose staves were seasoned in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle,” according to the news release.
It comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter with a bespoke leather carrying case and a crystal stopper infused with gold.
Only 150 bottles are available of the special edition.
Price, how to buy bottle of special edition Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve
If this sounds terrific and you’ve got $15,000 burning a hole in your pocket but no potential Derby runner lined up, a limited number of bottles will be available to buy on Woodford Reserve’s web site, shop.woodfordreserve.com/woodford-reserve-kentucky-derby-150-baccarat-edition/, and at the distillery gift shop beginning March 28.
There’s one other way to get a shot at this rare and special bourbon: One bottle will be auctioned by the Backside Learning Center, which assists families who work on the backside of Churchill Downs caring for the horses.
What does this bourbon taste like? According to the tasting notes, it has a rich floral and red fruit nose with honey, oak and brown spices. On the palate, it’s brown sugar-caramelized citrus peel, rich toasted oak, caramel, warming spices and dried dark fruit. The finish is big, bold with a long smooth fruit and spice presence.
Other rare, expensive Woodford Reserve Kentucky bourbon releases
How does it compare to other Woodford Reserve special releases?
It’s a big step up in price.
In 2021, Woodford Reserve released its first Baccarat edition in duty-free shops in airports around the world at a price of $1,500.
Then in 2022, the Baccarat bottle was released in the U.S. for $2,000, the most expensive Woodford Reserve at that time.
Besides special retailers, the bourbon was available by the shot in the Matt Winn bar at Churchill Downs for $350 a pour. And Carson’s in Lexington offered pours for $100.
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