Woodford Reserve 2020 Kentucky Derby bottle

Each year, Woodford Reserve creates a bottle to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. That is no different in 2020.

In honor of “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the bourbon distillery asked local Louisville artist and former Atlanta Braves player, Richard Sullivan, to create the artwork for the bottle.

Sullivan creates a watercolor image of thoroughbreds heading towards the finish line with the Twin Spires in the background.

“My goal was to create a beautiful image of the Kentucky Derby that embodies the spirit of competition, dedication, and freedom that is required to be your best,” Sullivan said. “I wanted to capture this intense moment of competition that is shared between the human and equine athlete. A moment when everything is on the line, time stops, awareness is heightened, mind and body are one, and anything is possible.”

Sullivan played for SCAD (Savannah College of Art Design) and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round in 2008 as a junior. He would later return to SCAD in 2014 to finish his degree and focus exclusively on his artwork.

“There is a poetic beauty in this year’s bottle because Richard Sullivan, the human athlete, is celebrating the equine athlete,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris.

There is a release party being held on Saturday, March 21 from 4 pm until 7 pm at Stoneware & Company. The “Spring into Derby” event is held on the first day of Spring and will feature a Derby fashion show with hats and bow-ties, bluegrass music, and classic Derby bites.

____

To advertise in Proof, call 859.268.0945