The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, and a few bourbon brands and distilleries of note are starting to release their annual commemorative bottles ahead of race day on May 3. One of those is, of course, Woodford Reserve, the presenting sponsor of America’s favorite horsey race that has been releasing these special bottles since 1999. The latest edition is available now, and it features a new label with a painting by Cuban-born artist Humberto Lahera.
The liquid in Woodford Reserve‘s Derby bottles is the same as the core bourbon—aged for six to seven years in new charred oak barrels; made from a mashbill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley; and bottled at 90.4 proof. But it’s the label design that makes this annual release such a collector’s item—each year is a collaboration with a different artist who either creates a unique image or interprets one of their previous works. This year’s artist, Humberto Lahera, was born and raised in Cuba and studied at the El Alba Academy of Fine Arts, eventually becoming a professor there. He moved to the U.S. in 2022 and has called Louisville, Kentucky home since.
The painting that was selected for this year’s Derby bottle label is called “Carrera Dinamica,” which translates to “Dynamic Race,” showing a horse leaping out of an explosion of rose petals. “Being selected as the artist for this year’s Derby bottle is an incredible honor,” said Lahera in a statement. “My work is deeply influenced by my Cuban heritage and my journey as an artist in Kentucky. For this design, I wanted to capture the exhilarating motion of the race and the elegance of the horses.”
If you’re interested in trying something new from Woodford that differs from the distillery’s flagship bourbon, however, you’re in luck because there have been a few releases of note over the past few months. These include Chocolate Whisper Redux, the highest-ABV whiskey ever released by the distillery at a nearly hazmat level 139.4 proof; the national release of the fan favorite Double Double Oaked; and the new Master’s Collection blend of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys finished in madeira casks that was then combined with straight wheat whiskey. All of these are worth seeking out, but if you’re more interested completing your Derby bottle collection you can find the 2025 release available to purchase now from ReserveBar (SRP $50).
