The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Limited Edition is the 2026 installment of the most anticipated annual bourbon collectible in American horse racing — a bottle Woodford Reserve has produced every year since 1999 as the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. Each year, the distillery commissions a unique artist to interpret the pageantry, fashion, and electricity of the first Saturday in May, resulting in a one-of-a-kind label that makes every annual release distinct and irreplaceable. For Derby 152, the honor went to Anna Murphy — a Chicago artist and muralist originally from England who moved to Kentucky at age 12 and earned her BFA in Painting from the University of Louisville. Murphy is the steward of a 33-acre family farm in Frankfort, Kentucky, and is known for her signature "blue and white" porcelain-inspired style, a technique she bridges across fine oil painting and large-scale public mural work. Her label artwork, titled "Dress to Impress, 152," is a radiant tribute to Derby fashion — the hats, the silks, the roses — rendered in her distinctive blue and gold palette with the Derby's iconic red roses woven throughout, alongside speedwell (historically gifted for safe travel), orchids representing luxury, and angel trumpet representing transformation. There is a hidden Easter egg in the painting: the figure in the center with the fedora is Murphy's father, visible in profile. The bourbon inside is the standard Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon — the same well-balanced, triple-distilled copper pot still expression bottled at 45.2% ABV, here presented in a 1-liter commemorative bottle designed to be as at home on a shelf as in a glass.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Rich amber — warm, deep, and reflective of the triple-distilled copper pot still character Woodford is known for.

Nose: Rich dried fruit, fresh mint, and orange with a dusting of cocoa — followed by faint vanilla and tobacco spice. Inviting and layered.

Palate: Rich, chewy, and rounded. A complex mix of citrus, cinnamon, and cocoa with notes of toffee, caramel, and chocolate. The rye-forward mash bill delivers structure without heat at 90.4 proof.

Finish: Silky and long — warm spice, sweet oak, and a linger of chocolate and dried fruit. The ideal Mint Julep base and equally satisfying neat.

FAQ

Is there an Easter egg hidden in the Derby 152 label artwork?
Yes — artist Anna Murphy confirmed it. The figure in the center of the painting wearing a fedora is her father, visible in profile. Murphy said she wanted to bring a personal element into the tribute to Derby fashion and celebration. She also encoded the number 152 on the horse's saddlecloth in the racing scene.

How long has Woodford Reserve been producing the Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle?
Every year since 1999, making the Derby 152 the 28th edition in the series. Each year's bottle features a different commissioned artist, making the full series a visual archive of Derby history through art. The bottles have become annual collector's items for both bourbon and horse racing enthusiasts.

Is the bourbon in the Derby bottle different from standard Woodford Reserve?
No — the bourbon inside is the standard Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon, bottled at 45.2% ABV. The value of the Derby edition is in the limited-edition commemorative bottle, the original commissioned artwork, and the annual collectible tradition. The 1-liter format also offers more volume than the standard 750ml.

Where can I buy the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 bottle online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.