March 31, 2011, Louisville, KY – Woodford Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby® is honoring the country’s favorite horse race with the release of the 2011 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle. The limited-edition bottle features the artwork of award-winning artist and Virginia native Brett Amory.
Amory showcases two horses racing in those final moments towards the finish line with the only splash of color on the bottle. One can feel the intensity of the race shown by the two horses digging into the ground while dirt is tossed up in the air. The two colored horses along with their jockeys are the main feature on the bottle, standing out against a silhouette of muted browns and grays of the historic spires and fans in the background. The bottle also features Amory’s signature prominently at the bottom of the label as well as a neck-tag bearing information about him.
“The build up to the Derby is unlike any other sporting event,” says Amory. “Louisville is absolutely transformed, and people from all over the world come to join the excitement. I wanted to capture on canvas that one key moment they all came to see.”
The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available in early April in 42 US states at a suggested retail price of $42.99.
“The horses–what the Derby is all about–grab you on the bottle,” says Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager. “So it is very fitting as a proud supporter of horseracing and the ‘official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby’ for the past 13 years, that Woodford Reserve is honored to be a part of the greatest two minutes in sports that takes our breath away every year.”
In addition to purchasing a true collector’s item, consumers can enter Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes with a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Consumers can enter by either registering their bottle’s unique number printed on the neck label, or by entering any random five digit code at www.WellCraftedDerby.com. Consumers may also enter by mail. Upon registering they will be given a randomly-generated post position, from 1-20, for the 2011 Kentucky Derby. If the horse that starts from their assigned post position wins, he/she will be entered in the grand prize trip drawing. Official Rules are available at www.WellCraftedDerby.com.*
* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY – a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Must be 21 or older to participate. Limit 12 entries per person and email address. Void in CA, VA and where prohibited. Other restrictions may apply. See Official Rules for details.
Woodford Reserve also sponsors a Grade I race, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which is run on Derby Day, May 7, 2011, and has become one of thoroughbred racing’s premier turf events.
“We all benefit from what these brave men and women do every day and this is a way that people can show their appreciation while enjoying themselves at the same time,” said Rory Finlay, global chief marketing officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “We invite everyone to toast these two worthy organizations.”