Woodford Reserve is the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, and each year the distillery marks the race with a commemorative bottle wrapped in original artwork. This is the Kentucky Derby 145 edition, released for the 2019 running at Churchill Downs. The label carries a painted scene of a tightly packed field of thoroughbreds and jockeys in full stride down the stretch, silks in blue, red, purple and gold against the green infield, with the artist's signature, Keith A. Anderson, printed on the cap. The whiskey inside is Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, the distillery's flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon, produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, a National Historic Landmark on a site where distilling dates back to 1812. It is made in copper pot stills using a traditional triple distillation process that is uncommon in American whiskey, and bottled at 45.2% ABV (90.4 proof). In the glass it is a rich golden amber. The nose opens with dried fruit, vanilla and toasted oak, joined by hints of mint, orange and cocoa. The palate is rounded and full, layering caramel, honey and dark chocolate with cinnamon, nutmeg and a gentle wave of rye spice over a satisfying oak backbone. The finish is long and silky, drying slowly with lingering spice, toasted wood and a touch of tobacco. It is the classic base for a Mint Julep, the Derby's signature drink, and works equally well neat or over a large cube. Each Derby edition is produced for one year only and then retired, and as a 2019 release this one has been off shelves for years, making it an increasingly hard to find piece for collectors working through the annual series. This is the 1 Liter size, a third more whiskey than the standard bottle.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45.2% |
| Proof |
90.4 |
| Size |
1 Liter |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Edition |
Kentucky Derby 145 (2019) |
| Label Artist |
Keith A. Anderson |
| Distillery |
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Brown-Forman |
| Distillation |
Copper pot still, triple distilled |
| Age |
No Age Statement |
| Maturation |
New charred American oak |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich golden amber.
Nose: Dried fruit, vanilla and toasted oak with hints of mint, orange and cocoa.
Palate: Rounded and full, with caramel, honey and dark chocolate over cinnamon, nutmeg and gentle rye spice.
Finish: Long and silky, drying slowly with lingering spice, toasted wood and a touch of tobacco.
FAQ
What is the Kentucky Derby 145 edition?
It is Woodford Reserve's commemorative bottle for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby in May 2019, featuring original artwork created for that year.
Who created the artwork?
The signature printed on the cap reads Keith A. Anderson, the artist commissioned for this edition.
Is the whiskey different from standard Woodford Reserve?
No. The bourbon inside is Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select at the same 90.4 proof. The Derby edition is distinguished by its commemorative artwork and packaging.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 45.2% ABV, which is 90.4 proof.
Why are these bottles collected?
Each Derby edition is produced for a single year and then retired, so older editions like Derby 145 become progressively harder to find.
Where can I buy Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 145 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
