Woodford Reserve, the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, is once again offering the $1000 Mint Julep and donating the proceeds to the Thoroughbred Charities of America.

This years 132 limited edition Julep Cups are plated with 24kt gold. The drink is made with some of the world’s finest ingredients; lush mint from Ireland, ultra-fine sugar from Australia, glacial ice from the Bavarian Alps and the Master Distiller’s selection of Woodford Reserve bourbon. The 132 cups are all unique, 11 feature triple crown winners, 2 derby legends and 109 of the other winners. What a way to enjoy the race.

For the rest of us here are a few derby cocktails to enjoy at home courtesy of Woodford Reserve.

Going to the Derby? Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Visit 6 distilleries that are close by to Louisville. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail also includes the best Central Kentucky has to offer including the Kentucky State Capitol, the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and many famous horse farms in the rolling bluegrass country are nearby.

- Buffalo Trace
- Four Roses
- Heaven Hill
- Jim Beam
- Marker’s Mark
- Wild Turkey

Kentucky Distillers’ Association

Churchill Downs will sell 50 special mint juelps at this year’s Kentucky Derby for $1,000 each, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

This, of course, will be no ordinary mint julep. The cocktail will be made with one of the world’s best bourbons, produced by Woodford Brands, and served in a gold-plated cup with a silver straw. The mint will be brought in from Morocco, the ice will come from the Arctic Circle and the sugar from the South Pacific…

“People want a memory,” said Wayne Rose, Woodford Reserve’s brand director. “This is something they can take home and share with friends.”

The company sells about 90,000 standard mint juleps each year at the Derby.

Churchill Downs officials said the drink will help raise awareness about the needs of retired thoroughbreds.

“A concern has developed over time that these horses were finding their way to be sold for slaughter,” track spokeswoman Julie Koenig said. “These horses are there making these memories special to us. It’s nice to find a way to give back to them.”

The TRF applauds Churchill Downs for its continuing efforts on behalf of retired Thoroughbreds.

from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
link