Woodford Reserve Launched its $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cup Program
Woodford Reserve has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999, a partnership that will last at least until 2027 (and quite possibly beyond that). In addition to the recent limited-edition commemorative Derby bottle that the Kentucky distillery released, the brand just announced the details of its annual $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cup program, and we have the details to share.
There are two mint julep cups for whiskey fans to purchase, with all proceeds going to benefit Our Mims Retirement Haven, a farm outside of Paris, Kentucky, where fillies and broodmares can spend their golden years (it’s named after 1977 Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Our Mims). With a total of 151 available, the $1,000 cup is made from polished pewter (there are 51 of these), and the fancier $5,000 cup has 24-karat heavy gold plating over sterling silver (there are 100 of these). Both have sterling-silver accents and lab-grown white and pink sapphires to add some shine and sparkle, and were designed by Josh Merideth of Makers Agency and produced by Louisville jeweler From the Vault.
This year’s cups are meant to honor a trio of winning fillies: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980), and Winning Colors (1988). “As we anticipate the 151st Run for the Roses, we celebrate the exceptional fillies who have etched their names in Derby history,” said Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve master distiller, in a statement. “Perhaps this year we will witness the crowning of another champion filly.”
If you’re interested in buying a cup, helping retired racehorses, and mixing up a Cadillac mint julep (you can find Woodford’s recipe on its website), you pre-purchase them directly from Woodford now. Then you can pick yours up at Churchill Downs at the $5,000 Mint Julep Cup Experience during the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 2, or Derby day itself on Friday, May 3.
In other Woodford Reserve news, the distillery finally made its fan-favorite Double Double Oaked bourbon available nationwide last winter. (It was originally part of the limited-edition Distillery Series.) The brand released a blended malt whiskey finished in sherry casks as part of its Distillery Series, and it dropped its strongest bourbon to date, Chocolate Whisper Redux, which was bottled just shy of hazmat level at a robust 139.4 proof. You can find the rest of the Woodford Reserve lineup available to purchase from websites like ReserveBar now, including the fantastic (and extremely pricy) Baccarat Edition bottle.
