Woodford Reserve Honors the 144th Kentucky Derby

Woodford Reserve is the presenting sponsor of the 144th Kentucky Derby. Woodford Reserve honors “the greatest two minutes in sports” with its 2018 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle and the $1,000 Mint Julep Cup sales.

Photo courtesy of Woodford Reserve

The limited-edition Woodford Reserve bottle features the colorful artwork of Louisville artist Keith Anderson. This year’s bottle features Anderson’s painting of powerful thoroughbreds as they break from the starting gate, in the glory of their colorful racing silks.

The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup raises funds for The Jennifer Lawrence Fund, which dedicates itself to supporting a variety of organizations that delivers arts access, education, and excellence opportunities that make positive impacts on young people, artists, and the organizations that serve them.

This year’s Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Cup sale features 105 cups of two varieties, the silver-plated Bluegrass Cup and the gold-plated Commonwealth Cup. Each cup is presented in a wooden box lined with silks, like those worn by jockeys. Ninety Bluegrass Cups are available for purchase for $1000 and fifteen Commonwealth Cups are available for $2,500.

The Bluegrass Cup design expresses the Best of Kentucky by featuring a thoroughbred and jockey, a single rose and a bottle of Woodford Reserve – all raised on the sides. Each $1,000 Mint Julep Cup is accompanied by a gold-plated Woodford Reserve bottle sipping straw. With a design similar to the Bluegrass Cup, the $2,500 Commonwealth Cup keepsakes are gold-plated and accompanied by a silver-plated Woodford Reserve sipping straw. Both Mint Julep Cups are garnished with fresh mint and roses, as well as petals from the Garland of Roses presented to the 144th Kentucky Derby winner.

How do you make a $1000 mint julep? We have the answer!

Watch as Woodford Reserve’s Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall teaches us how to make the perfect mint julep.

https://vimeo.com/267850941/64d6022833

Woodford Reserve’s 2018 $1,000 Mint Julep Cup Recipe

1. Start by rubbing fresh mint on the inside of the cup to release the crisp aroma
2. Add 2 oz of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
3. 2 bar scoops (1 teaspoon) of Kentucky Sorghum syrup from Woodford County Kentucky
4. Top with crushed ice and stir
5. Garnish with rose petals and 2 leaves of Kentucky Colonel mint
6. Enjoy!