7 Best Horse-Themed Bourbons to Drink on Kentucky Derby Day, Ranked

Whether you’re sipping it neat or mixing it up in a classic Mint Julep, bourbon is as central to Kentucky Derby Day as roses and racehorses. And what better way to honor the occasion than with a pour that nods to the sport of kings itself?

These horse-themed bourbons, ranked from good to best, each bring a unique blend of equestrian heritage and rich flavor, making them perfect for toasting the fastest two minutes in sports.

Prices are either MSRP or average price via Wine-Searcher.

7. Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series 2024 9 Year Old ($92.99)

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Named after the racing term for buying and training young horses, Pinhook features a real racehorse on every bottle — making it the most authentic equestrian tribute on this list. The 2024 release is the sixth in a nine-year aging project, blended from 100 barrels and bottled at 105 proof. It’s rich with cherry, chocolate cake, almond, and nutmeg, delivering a bold, dessert-like experience.

6. Green River Wheated Bourbon ($36)

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Distilled and bottled in Owensboro, Kentucky, Green River’s wheated bourbon is soft and approachable yet flavor-packed. At 90 proof, this bourbon offers vanilla ice cream, buttercream and praline on the nose, with a palate of crème brûlée, tiramisu and butterscotch, leading to a smooth finish of caramel candies and maple. This release is a standout from a historic Kentucky distillery making modern moves.

The bottom of Green River’s bottles are horseshoe-shaped, perfect for Derby season — plus, the shape allows you to play an air-hockey-esque bar game. Challenge your friends to slide a quarter and make it into the horseshoe goal.

5. Blackwood Toasted Bourbon 105 Proof ($100)

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Founded in 2020 by horse trainer-turned-distiller Guinness McFadden, Blackwood celebrates Kentucky’s racing heritage in both name and branding. This 8-year-old bourbon is finished in a trio of Kelvin Cooperage toasted barrels, including a char 4, a medium toast and a char 2 with toasted heads.

Bottled at 105 proof, it layers marshmallow, chocolate mint, gingersnap and toasted coconut with a long finish featuring tiramisu and chocolate-covered almonds.

4. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 2025 Edition ($53)

(Photo: Woodford Reserve)

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As the official presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve celebrates each year with a limited-edition bottle. The 2025 design, a 1-liter release retailing for $49.99, features Cuban-American artist Humberto Lahera’s painting “Carrera Dinamica,” a vibrant take on the Derby’s excitement. At 90.4 proof, it delivers Woodford’s signature balance of dried fruit, spice and citrus, making it a versatile pick for neat pours or juleps alike.

3. Blanton’s Original Single Barrel ($140)

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Known as the first-ever single-barrel bourbon, Blanton’s is instantly recognizable for its round bottle and collectible horse-and-jockey stoppers. Distilled by Buffalo Trace and drawn from the middle sections of Warehouse H, this 93-proof bourbon is made from the distillery’s high-rye mashbill No. 2. Each barrel yields bold vanilla and caramel, balanced with rye spice — an icon worthy of any Derby celebration.

2. Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Year Bourbon ($65)

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From West Virginia’s Smooth Ambler, this 7-year-old release marks the return of its popular Old Scout line. The name “Old Scout” refers to the leisurely gait of a horse, and the bottle features a silhouette of a rider. Made from a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley, it’s sourced, not distilled in-house. At 99 proof, it offers vibrant citrus, floral and herbal character, according to Drinkhacker, including mint — perfect for a julep!

1. Calumet 14 Single Rack Black Bourbon ($135)

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Sourced from Barton 1792, Calumet is steeped in racing legacy. The brand comes from Calumet Farm, a historic Lexington stable that has bred two Triple Crown winners and 11 Hall of Fame racehorses. This 14-year-old bourbon is drawn from just 19 barrels in a single rick and bottled at 96.2 proof. Wine Enthusiast noted its flavors of rich caramel, red fruit and mocha — a luxurious, traditional sip.