Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition 1L

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition 1L is a limited-edition commemorative bottling of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, released annually to mark the running of the Kentucky Derby. Each year's Derby bottle features original artwork on its label, making it both a collectible piece and a full liter of one of Kentucky's most recognized bourbons. The liquid inside is the same triple-distilled bourbon that put Woodford Reserve on the map — a grain-to-glass expression rooted in over two centuries of distilling heritage on the same Versailles, Kentucky site. Bottled at 95.4 proof (47.7% ABV), this 1L format offers more volume than the standard 750ml release.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Rich caramel and toasted oak rise first, followed by dried fruit, vanilla bean, and a thread of baking spice. A subtle cocoa note lingers beneath the sweetness, with faint leather and tobacco adding depth as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is smooth and grain-forward with a pronounced sweetness — toffee and brown sugar dominate the front palate. At mid-palate, rye spice and cinnamon emerge, balanced by stone fruit and a touch of orange peel. The mouthfeel carries medium-to-full weight with a creamy, almost silky texture that coats evenly.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering notes of toasted oak, dark chocolate, and a gentle peppery heat that fades gradually. The dried fruit sweetness returns right at the end, keeping the finish balanced rather than dry.

How to Drink Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition:

Neat or with a single large ice cube brings out the full spectrum of caramel and spice — the 95.4 proof holds its character well with slight dilution. In a Mint Julep, this bourbon is a natural fit as the official spirit of the Kentucky Derby, standing up to crushed ice and fresh mint without losing its backbone. It makes an excellent Old Fashioned where the toffee sweetness complements a Demerara sugar cube and Angostura bitters. A Woodford Reserve Whiskey Sour also works beautifully, with the dried fruit and citrus notes in the bourbon amplifying fresh lemon juice.

Best For:

• Kentucky Derby watch parties and Mint Juleps
• Collecting annual Derby edition bourbon bottles
• Sipping neat or on the rocks after dinner
• Gifting to bourbon enthusiasts and horse racing fans
• Classic bourbon cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Sours

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition taste like? It delivers rich toffee and brown sugar sweetness upfront, followed by rye spice, cinnamon, and stone fruit on the mid-palate, finishing with toasted oak and dark chocolate. The texture is creamy at medium-to-full body with a warming, medium-long finish.

How does the Woodford Reserve Derby Edition compare to standard Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select? The Kentucky Derby 152 Edition contains the same triple-distilled Kentucky straight bourbon as the Distiller's Select — the distinction is the collectible commemorative bottle featuring original artwork released for each year's Derby. The 1L format also provides a full third more bourbon than the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition good for cocktails? Absolutely — the 95.4 proof ensures the bourbon's caramel and spice cut through ice and mixers without thinning out, making it an ideal base for Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours.

Where is Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition made? It is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky. The distillery uses a distinctive triple-distillation process in copper pot stills, which is uncommon among Kentucky bourbon producers who more typically rely on column stills.

What foods pair well with Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 152 Edition? The bourbon's caramel sweetness and oak spice pair well with smoked brisket, pecan pie, dark chocolate truffles, sharp aged cheddar, and brown butter glazed pork chops. Its dried fruit notes also complement charcuterie boards with fig jam and cured meats.

Why Buy Woodford Reserve?

Woodford Reserve has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999, making the annual Derby bottle one of the most anticipated limited releases in American whiskey. The distillery sits on a site in Woodford County that has produced whiskey since 1812, giving it one of the longest continuous distilling histories in Kentucky. Woodford Reserve's triple-distillation process in copper pot stills — combined with a mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley aged in new charred American oak — produces a bourbon recognized for its balance and complexity. Brown-Forman, the family-controlled company behind Woodford Reserve, has been in continuous operation since 1870.