Derby Day in the Cellars

What better way to get ready for the Derby than to taste bourbons that celebrate all that is horse racing?

It was derby day in the Cellars and we celebrated by tasting bourbon influenced by horse racing. We started with the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Kentucky Derby release with Secretariat’s 50th-anniversary win in 1973. Woodford remains a classic and one that is always fun to sip neat or in a Kentucky Derby Mint Julip.

Next up we did a twist on the Mint Julip using the Mansions Single Barrel pick Piggyback Rye whiskey at 112.3 proof. It did not disappoint and we highly recommend one to celebrate any day.

Wouldn’t be a proper Derby day without something special, so we pulled out Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection released at 118.4 proof. This was the 2022 release and all I can say is WOW. Still a special bottle of bourbon with toasted caramel on the palate and a smooth chocolate, nut, finish. This batch-proof whiskey is always one on my list to drink every year.

Calumet Farms 16 Year Release at 106 proof was up next and it was even better than the last time we tried it. The bottle was to honor the legacy of Calumet Farms and its second Triple Crown winning horse, Citation. The horse won 27 of the 29 races he ran and the other 2 were second-place finishes. He won the Triple Crown in 1948 and the bottle of bourbon does his victories justice. Spice, chocolate, cherry, and long finish are amazing.

Pinhook Kentucky Straight Bourbon at 119.9 proof. This line of bourbon annually releases a mid-proof and barrel-proof. We tasted the high-proof bourbon with a touch of spice and oak. We then tried the 7-year release of the high bourbon a tribute to the horse, Bourbon Wars. Trying the entire lineup of bourbons and ryes from Pinhook is definitely worth the challenge.

If you missed the tasting stop into the Cellars and do a flight.

Congratulations to Mage on the win at the 149th Kentucky Derby. Missed it watch the replay here.