While some may be preparing their blenders for margaritas this Saturday, the most renowned bourbon event of the year also takes place—the Kentucky Derby.
The Derby is the most famous horse race of the year, steeped in tradition, including a drinking one.
The Mint Julep, the quintessential Southern cocktail, is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. Woodford, especially Woodford Reserve Bourbon, is the primary sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. Each year, Woodford sponsors the great race, and raises a substantial sum in charity and sponsorship for the event. They even offer a commerative bottle with limited edition artwork that becomes an instant collector’s piece.
For a great whiskey this weekend, place your bets on one of these entries from the Woodford collection:
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Woodford’s flagship bourbon is a clean, amber bourbon, with notes of dried fruit, mint, and oranges in its nose and a touch of cocoa and faint vanilla. It is rich and chewy, but smooth and rounded with flavors of cinnamon, toffee, and cocoa. It has a silky, smooth finish that is creamy with a lingering, warm tail. 45.2% ABV.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon: Sweet and spicy on the nose, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked offers inviting aromas of vanilla, honey, chocolate and cinnamon with a hint of dried fruit. The palate offers rich flavors of caramel, baked apple, brown sugar and marzipan, which merge with notes of oak, vanilla and honeyed apple on the long finish. Although the oak is certainly pronounced, it accentuates the complex balance of flavors, rather than overwhelming them. 45.2% ABV.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey: Specially selected whiskies are infused with the rich flavor of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. The result is a uniquely sophisticated whisky, bursting with the bold flavor of vanilla and the distinctive smoothness of Crown Royal. 45.2% ABV.
By the way, any respectable liquor store should also offer you the option of buying one of the most sought after drinking cups of the year. Ask for a proper Mint Julep cup when buying your Woodford Reserve for the 144rd running of the Kentucky Derby.