Woodford Reserve Derby Edition

Woodford Reserve Derby Edition — the annual limited-edition Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle from Woodford Reserve, Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby since 1999: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon presented in the collectible Derby bottle format that has marked every running of the race since the program began.

Every year since 1999, Woodford Reserve has released a limited-edition commemorative bottle honoring the Kentucky Derby. Each features an original artwork commissioned from a different artist, making the annual series a record of Kentucky and American equine art as much as a bourbon release. The whiskey in every Derby bottle is Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon — the 72/18/10 mash bill, triple copper pot still distillation, 90.4 proof — presented in the 1-liter format that has been standard for the commemorative series.

The Derby bottles are among the most consistently collected limited bourbon releases in the American market, with the annual label change driving both new collectors each year and veteran collectors who follow the series from year to year.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, and gentle spice — the classic Woodford Reserve profile from the 72/18/10 mash bill and triple copper pot still distillation
• Palate: Rich caramel, baking spice, chocolate, and oak with the rounded fruit complexity that triple pot still distillation produces
• Finish: Medium-long with warm spice and caramel tapering cleanly

Specs

• Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
• Distillation: Triple copper pot still
• ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse the full Woodford Reserve collection at Wooden Cork, including year-specific Derby editions from 2020 through 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long has Woodford Reserve released Derby bottles? Since 1999. Woodford Reserve has served as Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby for over 25 years and has released a new limited-edition commemorative bottle every year of that sponsorship.
• Is the whiskey different from the regular Woodford Reserve? No — every Derby bottle contains the standard Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon at 90.4 proof. The collectible value is in the label artwork and the annual limited-edition format.
• Do the Derby bottles come in 1-liter format? Year-specific Derby editions are 1 liter. See the individual year listings at Wooden Cork for specific format details.