Woodford Reserve Marks 150th Kentucky Derby With Release of its Rarest Whiskey Ever — and It’s Priced at $15K
Woodford Reserve unveiled its rarest whiskey, and just 150 decanters are available. (Photos: Woodford Reserve)
On Monday, Woodford Reserve unveiled what it referred to the “rarest whiskey” in its 27 years of history, a $15,000 thrice-barreled American whiskey to celebrate the 150th Kentucky Derby. Only 150 decanters are available of the rare expression.
According to Woodford Reserve, the whiskey was aged in one of Woodford’s original bourbon barrels, a cognac cask and a “couture barrel” with staves that were seasoned in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle.
As for the whiskey’s distinctive packaging, the liquid is housed in a decanter made by the French brand, Baccarat. Baccarat infused the crystal stopper with 24-karat gold to turn it a bright red color as an homage to the Garland of Roses given to the winning thoroughbred at the Kentucky Derby. The whiskey features a custom leather carrying case.
“The decanter embodies the spirit of Kentucky and the spectacle of the Derby,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said in a news release.
Woodford Reserve shared that the owner of the winning thoroughbred at the 2024 Kentucky Derby will be presented with one of the brand’s bespoke decanters during the Garland of Roses ceremony at Churchill Downs.
Woodford Reserve additionally said it intends to donate a bottle to The Backside Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that helps families who work at Churchill Downs and care for the horses.
A small number of the 700-milliliter decanters of whiskey can be purchased through Woodford Reserve’s website for $15,000 and must be picked up at the distillery. Each decanter comes packaged in a leather carrying case. Those interested in picking up a bottle in person can visit Woodford Reserve’s gift shop on Thursday. The brand shared that some premium retailers in Kentucky would offer a few bottles as well.
This latest release marks an exciting capstone to Woodford Reserve’s Derby-themed launches. The brand announced its annual Kentucky Derby Whiskey on March 5, with a custom label designed by a local artist, Wylie Caudill.
Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby bottle features a distinctive label celebrating the Derby’s 150th running.
Known for painting patterns of roses, Caudill was hired to make the official art for the Derby’s 150th running, making the offering particularly special.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 150 Baccarat Edition Tasting Notes, Via the Brand
Nose: Rich Floral and red fruit notes with honey, hearty oak and brown spices.
Taste: Brown sugar-caramelized citrus peel, toasted oak, dried dark fruit.
Finish: Long, smooth fruit and plenty of spices.
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