Will there be a Blanton’s Derby bourbon? If not, here’s other special releases

Bourbon lovers who are looking for a special bottle to celebrate the Kentucky Derby on May 3 have lots of choices, but there’s one that fans line up hours for.

But will it be available this year, following the devastating flood that shut down historic Frankfort distillery Buffalo Trace?

Normally, bourbon fans line up every morning at the distillery for Buffalo Trace’s bottle of the day: Every day the gift shop releases one “allocated” or limited supply bottle. Visitors can buy only one bottle every 90 days of Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor Small Batch and Blanton’s Single Barrel.

But on Oaks Day, the Friday before the Kentucky Derby, the Frankfort distillery traditionally also usually releases a small Derby edition of Blanton’s. It doesn’t matter if you are in Blanton’s “bourbon jail,” as the regulars refer to it, anyone in line can buy one, usually for about $40, while supplies last.

However, that traditional is limbo. So far, Buffalo Trace’s gift shop remains closed and visitors are only allowed in by reservation. It’s unclear if they will be able to open at all for Oaks Day, which has been the distillery’s biggest tourist day for years.

Stay tuned and watch the website, buffalotracedistillery.com, and Buffalo Trace’s social media for updates.

Woodford Reserve’s annual Kentucky Derby bourbon bottle

Woodford Reserve, which sponsors the Kentucky Derby, also releases a specially labeled bottle of its signature premium bourbon every year for the Kentucky Derby.

This year’s version features art by artist Humberto Lahera, known for photorealistic paintings. His work “Carrera Dinamica,” which translates to “Dynamic Race,” captures the Derby energy in vivid colors. A native of Cuba, Lahera now lives in Louisville.

The bottle is available everywhere Woodford Reserve is sold, at the distillery and in the distillery’s online store. It’s $49.99 for a one-liter bottle.

Want an extra special version? Check out the Derby Week events at Woodford Reserve Distillery, between Frankfort and Versailles. You can book a bottle signing with master distillers Elizabeth McCall and Chris Morris as well as Lahera. Or take a mint julep cocktail class featuring the Chocolate Mint Julep.

On “Thurby” or the Thursday of Derby week, there will be a Bourbon Barrel Foods sampling. And on Oaks Day — Friday, May 2 — the distillery will feature special BourbonWare Custom Leather goods.

On Saturday, May 3, there will be a Ruth Hunt Chocolate Sampling at the distillery for Derby.

Woodford Reserve $5,000 Mint Julep at Churchill Downs

For the ultimate bourbon-related Derby souvenir, look no further than the $5,000 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby Mint Julep. It comes in a gold cup, made for you at Churchill Downs on Oaks or Derby day.

(The $1,000 silver version is sold out already.)

Order online at shop.woodfordreserve.com/5-000-mint-julep-cup.

There are 100 of the cups, adorned with three pink sapphires, honoring the legendary fillies that conquered the Derby: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988.)

Net proceeds from this year’s julep cups will benefit Our Mims Retirement Haven, a sanctuary outside Paris, Kentucky, for retired fillies and broodmares, named after the 1977 Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Our Mims.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Derby Festival edition

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, which is an official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby Festival, has released a special edition of its single barrel bourbon.

This version, from 2016 vintage, bottled at 106 proof and comes dipped in iridescent pink wax. Only 1,200 of the limited edition bottles are available. The bottle is available to buy at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street in downtown Louisville for $89.99, and at select retailers while supplies last.

Maker’s Mark Lexington bourbon bottle

The latest commemorative in Maker’s Mark’s Greats of the Gate series honors Lexington, the racehorse.

No, Lexington didn’t win the Kentucky Derby (he was born in 1850, 25 years before the first Kentucky Derby).

But his influence on racing and breeding merits recognition and the orange wax, which honor his silks, make for a very cool souvenir bottle, if you can find one.

Only 5,000 were produced and the bottles went on sale in April with a suggested retail price of $179.99, but you might luck onto one.

Mint julep bourbon bottle mixes

Because of the Kentucky Derby’s longstanding association with mint juleps, you’ll find premixed versions in stores this time of year.

Old Forester Mint Julep, which is also made by Woodford Reserve parent company Brown-Forman, is the Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby. Buy a bottle of this at your local liquor store and throw in a sprig of mint and you can have the exact same julep racing fans are having on Derby Day at Churchill Downs in their Derby glasses.

Maker’s Mark also makes a Mint Julep Liqueur that comes with the signature wax top but in green.

Or you can make your own mint juleps using just about any bourbon you like.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery Derby events

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery at 3860 Fitzgerald Rd. in Shively officially opened its doors on Kentucky Derby Day in 1935, so to celebrate their 90th anniversary they are hosting almost a week of activities 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with live music, lawn games, food and more. On Derby day, celebrate before the race 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with special birthday goodies.

James B. Beam Distilling Derby events

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is offering racing fans special events at the distillery in Clermont.

On Thursday, May 1, there’s the Beam Bourbon Social, with a variety of Kentucky-inspired food, signature cocktails and specialty bourbons to sample while you listen to live music by Small Time Napoleon. Starts at 6 p.m., $75 per person, must be 21 and up. Tickets available online at beamdistilling.com under distillery events.

On Friday, May 2, Oaks Day, the distillery will feature a self-guided six-stop journey from 10 a.m. to 3:30p.m. around the Homeplace with tastings of limited-release bourbons, cocktails and unique activations. Complete all six to gain exclusive access to limited-edition items and souvenirs. It’s $75 per person, tickets available at beamdistilling.com under distillery events.

Sports Illustrated’s Revel at the Races

Returning for the second year, Sports Illustrated will host Revel at the Races, headlined this year by Diplo with special guest Xandra Pohl opening. The party is Friday, May 2, at Ice House in downtown Louisville. Doors open at 9 p.m. Limited tickets are available for purchase, starting at $1,000 at revelattheraces.com. (VIP tables also available.)

According to the news release announcing the event: “Last year’s inaugural event was a ‘must attend’ with the who’s who from the race, sports and music scenes in attendance from Travis Kelce to Aaron Rodgers, Alix Earle and Davante Adams. The second annual event promises to offer the same level of top notch hospitality in the very intimate venue.”

Maker’s Mark is the official bourbon of the event.

Rabbit Hole Distillery Derby kick off

Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville is opening up its annual Derby week kick off event to the public. It features entertainment, specialty Rabbit Hole tastings, cash bar craft cocktails, live music and hors d’oeuvres. You can taste the brand’s latest Founders’ Collection, Single Barrel and Distillery Series releases on site with founder Kaveh Zamanian.

It’s April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are limited, $40.81 per person, available online.

This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Janet Patton

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-379-5233

Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription