Bourbon features label by famed equine artist

Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, is honouring this year’s ‘Run for the Roses’ with the release of its 2016 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle.  This year’s limited-edition Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle features artwork from award-winning equine artist Thomas Allen Pauly.

Chicago native Pauly is a world-renowned equine painter and is the official artist of American Pharoah – Triple Crown winner. His painting ‘Barreling Down’ is featured on the front of the Woodford Reserve bottle. The image on the bottle features a closeup, impressionistic look into the big race as two thoroughbreds and jockeys are neck and neck. The bright blue sky of a spring day in Kentucky shines through in the background as the horses race towards the finish line.

The neck band features crisp black and Woodford Reserve’s signature copper colour with the Kentucky Derby 142 date and Thomas Allen Pauly’s signature sealing the top of the bottle. A neck tag provides details about the product and the artist.

“Woodford Reserve is honored to collaborate with an artist of such high caliber for this year’s commemorative Derby bottle,” says Jason Kempf, Woodford Reserve brand director. “His years of experience, esteemed skillset in painting and passion for the equine industry correlate perfectly with the Kentucky Derby.” 

The commemorative liter-size bottle will be available nationwide on shelves in March. The suggested retail price, depending on market, is US$43.99.

Woodford Reserve has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby for the past 18 years.  It also sponsors a Grade I stakes race, The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which runs on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7, 2016, and has become one of Thoroughbred racing’s premier turf events with a US$500,000 purse.

14 March 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor