by By Brian G. Miller
We’re still more than two months away from the actual race, but bourbon lovers can go ahead and officially begin celebrating this year’s Kentucky Derby now. Woodford Reserve released its commemorative 2020 Kentucky Derby bottle today featuring a spectacular original watercolor of thoroughbreds racing for the finish line in front of the twin spires at Churchill Downs. The artwork was done by Louisville artist and former professional baseball pitcher Richard Sullivan.
Only in Kentucky will a room full of reporters, photographers, and writers gather to stand around and take photos of bottles of bourbon. Proud to be invited and to stand in that circle!
This is the 21st year that Woodford Reserve has created the collectible Derby bottles for bourbon and horse racing fans alike. Woodford Reserve is the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.
Before the news conference for the unveiling of the artwork, I got to meet and talk to Sullivan and Woodford Reserve Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall before they spoke to the crowd. Both were excited about the beginning of activities leading up to the Derby.
Addressing the group, Sullivan noted how honored and humbled he is to have been asked by Woodford Reserve to create the artwork for this year’s Derby bottle.
“My goal was to create a beautiful image of the Kentucky Derby that embodies the spirit of competition, dedication, and freedom that is required to be your best,” Sullivan said. “I wanted to capture this intense moment of competition that is shared between the human and equine athlete. A moment when everything is on the line, time stops, awareness is heightened, mind and body are one, and anything is possible.”
Both an athlete and an artist
Sullivan attended the Savannah College of Design (SCAD is apparently the only art school with a baseball team) and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in his junior year. After playing minor league baseball for six years, he returned to SCAD to finish his degree. His artwork has been displayed all over the country, including at The Atlanta Braves Truist Park, Mercedes Benz Stadium and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. See more on his art here.
Later, McCall said, “I think that Richard has done a wonderful job with this year’s painting. The detail is amazing and you really, truly captured the spirit of Woodford Reserve.”
“Woodford Reserve is the world’s finest bourbon and it’s aging right alongside the world’s finest thoroughbreds in Woodford County. It’s that limestone-filtered water that has made these thorobreds so strong and, of course, our Woodford Reserve Bourbon so flavorful. That’s why our partnership with the Kentucky Derby is the perfect pairing.
Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve Assistant Master Distiller
The special one-liter bottles of Woodford Reserve will be available in stores in the United States and key global markets in the coming weeks, according to McCall, and carry a price tag of $49.00 (USD). They are available for pre-sale beginning today at ReserveBar.
Spring into Derby at Stoneware and Co. in Paristown
Stoneware & Company will host a special Woodford Derby bottle release party on Saturday, March 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 731 Brent Street in the Paristown arts and entertainment district in Louisville. The Spring Into Derby event, featuring a Derby fashion show, Bluegrass music, and food, will benefit the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs, “an independent, non-profit organization building community and enriching the lives of equine workers and their families at Churchill Downs racetrack” You can get your 2020 Derby bottle signed that day by Sullivan, McCall, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris, and several Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys.
Churchill Downs will conduct the 146th run for the roses, the Kentucky Derby, on May 2, 2020, at the historic track.
