The label features a delicate garland stripe of winter berries and alternating stars set against a muted sage backdrop reminiscent of winter foliage. Subtle candy stripe references nod to nostalgic holiday traditions while maintaining a sense of understated sophistication.

The design captures Markarian’s signature aesthetic while embracing the festive spirit of the season. It’s the first time Woodford Reserve has collaborated with a fashion designer to create the annual holiday bottle.

“This elegant bottle will immediately elevate any holiday party,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.

“For this holiday label, I wanted the bottle to feel like a beautifully wrapped gift—precious and celebratory,” added Markarian Designer Alexandra O’Neill. “Visiting the distillery brought the vision to life, with the evergreens, amber tones of the bourbon, and historic buildings inspiring the color story and design details.”

The Woodford Reserve holiday bottle is available for $49.99.

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To craft this new expression, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall used a pre-prohibition style mash bill of 53% rye, the same mash bill as Woodford Reserve Rye, but bottled it at the strength of the collective batch of barrels: 125.1 proof.

“Barrel Strength Rye honors the legacy of America’s original rye whiskeys, where spice and tobacco take the lead, layered with notes of fruit, floral, and subtle sweetness,” McCall said. “But rather than presenting the standard 90.4 proof for which Woodford is known, this high-proof expression brings more pronounced spice notes.”

Woodford Reserve Barrel Strength Rye is available now for $129.99.

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To craft this new expression, Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall used 100% malted barley, triple pot distilled, and aged for 12 years in used whiskey barrels. “I’m excited to release this 12-year-old American Single Malt, a whiskey that proves just how essential long aging in used barrels is for unlocking its full flavor potential. Its lighter color and nuanced flavor profile demonstrate the importance of time. I believe it’s one of the most authentic American Single Malts ever released — the first of its kind,” said McCall.

The 12-Year-Old American Single Malt is 90.4 proof and is part of Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series, which was created to push the distillery’s creative boundaries and introduce new expressions to the market.

Woodford Reserve Distillery Series 12-Year-Old American Single Malt Whiskey  is available in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers and at the Woodford Reserve Distillery for $99.99.

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Its Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall combined a rye and bourbon blend with bourbon finished in Tawny Port barrels.

“This expression highlights our ability to artfully blend rye and bourbon whiskey, as well our approach to barrel experimentation,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “The Tawny Port barrels impart delicate notes of wood and concentrated fruit, which combined with the charred oak barrels, allow us to create a rich, layered whiskey.”

Tawny Port Finish is 90.4 proof and is part of Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series, which was created to push the distillery’s creative boundaries and introduce new expressions to the market.

Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series – Tawny Port Finish is available now in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers and at Woodford Reserve Distillery for $64.99.

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The Gigi Burris for Woodford Reserve Collection blends meticulous craftsmanship with a refined, nuanced palette anchored on a shared devotion to expertise, heritage, and legacy. It includes three styles of hat for women, a men’s fedora and a bespoke unisex rose lapel pin.

The collection is a celebration of both brands’ commitment to artistry, heritage, and tradition. Its colors—molasses, white, mahogany, caramel, and toffee—pay homage to the warm, rich tones of the bourbon.

“Dressing for The Kentucky Derby begins with the hat,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. “We are honored to partner with Gigi to unveil this refined collection for both men and women.”

“The Kentucky Derby and headwear have a richly intertwined history, with decades of American style moments defined by hats,” added Gigi Burris. “This collaboration with Woodford Reserve reflects that same sense of tradition, craftsmanship, and style.”

The Gigi Burris for Woodford Reserve Collection is available at the Gigi Burris Millinery store in New York and online.

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As the presenting sponsor of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” this year’s Woodford Reserve bottle features the artwork of Humberto Lahera, known for his photorealistic paintings that blend classical techniques with contemporary influences. His painting, “Carrera Dinamica,” which translates to “Dynamic Race”, captures the energy of the race with vivid colors, expressive brushstrokes, and fluid motion.

“Humberto’s ability to blend rich colors and movement perfectly captures the excitement and tradition of the Kentucky Derby,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. “As a Cuban-born artist now calling Kentucky home, his work brings a unique perspective to this celebrated moment.”

Growing up in Holguin, Cuba, Lahera was recognized for his talent from a young age as he was one of only eight students admitted to Cuba’s prestigious El Alba Academy of Fine Arts, where he graduated Cum Laude and later became a professor. Throughout his career, Lahera has worked as an art professor, antiques restorer and interior designer through his own company, Lahera. Since relocating to the United States in 2022, he has gained recognition in Kentucky’s art scene.

“Being selected as the artist for this year’s Derby bottle is an incredible honor,” Lahera said. “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.”

The Derby bottle has been an annual collector’s item anticipated by bourbon and racing fans since 1999.

Woodford Reserve’s Derby retails for $49.99.

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This new expression combines two different malt whiskeys from the distillery – one was 100 percent malt aged in used barrels then finished in a Ruby Port Barrel and the other was a blend of five different styles of malt grains aged in new oak barrels.

“This showcases our ability to take complex barrels of whiskies, blend them together and create a new flavorful product,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.

Blended Malt is 90.4 proof and is part of Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series, which was created to push the distillery’s creative boundaries and introduce new expressions to the market.

Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series: Blended Malt is available in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers and at Woodford Reserve Distillery for $64.99.

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This year’s special release celebrates the 150th running of the derby and features the artwork of Kentucky native Wylie Caudill, known for his bold, repetitive patterns, and his signature roses. His painting, “Adorned in Roses,” depicts a racing thoroughbred covered with red roses, with a background of multi-colored roses.

“Wylie’s artwork embodies the spirit of Woodford Reserve, the liveliness of Churchill Downs during race day, and the heart of Kentucky,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. “We’re thrilled to have a Kentuckian’s artwork on our bottle during this monumental year.”

Caudill grew up drawing and painting in Cynthiana, Kentucky. During college, he spent his free time creating chalk drawings, leaving his mark around campus and leading to his title ‘chalk guy’ among locals. He expanded his public street art to painting murals in Lexington after college, and many of his murals can be seen across Kentucky today. Caudill also created the Official Art of the Kentucky Derby for Churchill Downs for the 150th Derby, marking the first year that Woodford Reserve and Churchill Downs used the same artist.

“As a Kentucky native, I am honored to be a part of this milestone celebration,” said Wylie Caudill. “I have painted my signature roses many times over the years, but this one is truly special. The colorful roses symbolize the diverse Derby fans from around the world, connecting people beyond the track.”

Woodford Reserve’s Derby bottle has been an annual collector’s item anticipated by bourbon and racing fans since 1999.

Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby bottle retails for $55 and is available for purchase globally.

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Sergio Hudson and Anifa Mvuemba, who have created fashion for everyone from Michelle Obama to Beyoncé, will design pieces for The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes Collection, which is inspired by the flavors and craftsmanship of the whiskey. The collaboration was first announced during New York Fashion Week and will debut at the 150th running of The Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve. Hudson and Mvuemba will attend the derby, along with their muses wearing pieces from each designer’s collection.

The Flavor Notes collection will bring Woodford Reserve’s 200+ flavor notes to life and showcase how its bourbon is a spectacle for the senses. “Woodford Reserve brings substance and style to everything we do,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “These fashion statements from Sergio and Anifa are an extension of the bourbon lifestyle in a luxurious way.”

Hudson is an American designer passionate about making women feel beautiful, fearless, glamorous and confident through his women’s ready-to-wear luxury clothing line, The Sergio Hudson Brand. At a young age in the mid-1980s, Hudson grew a great love and respect for fashion idols and felt he was destined for a career in fashion. Today, he is focused on normalizing inclusivity in the industry and bringing back the joy of dressing.

“Just like Woodford Reserve, every garment I create requires meticulous attention to detail,” said Sergio Hudson. “I am excited to help tell the story of how Woodford Reserve is more than a bourbon, showing it is a spectacle for the senses through the pieces I create. The Derby is just the start of our trendsetting partnership.”

Mvuemba, is the CEO, Founder and Creative Director of Hanifa, a luxury ready-to-wear womenswear label. The self-taught designer moved to the United States from Congo at an early age. With a commitment to pushing boundaries, she continues to revolutionize the industry. Invested in the intersection of technology and fashion, Mvuemba is constantly looking to innovate in the space.

“The Woodford Reserve Flavor Notes Collection is the perfect place to bring my colorful fabrics and sophisticated silhouettes to life,” said Anifa Mvuemba. “My brand represents women without limits, and it’s so inspiring to work with Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall on this partnership as she has broken barriers in the bourbon industry.”

Throughout 2024, Woodford Reserve will continue collaborating with Hudson and Mvuemba, including at Hudson’s fall 2024 fashion show. Moreover, this collaboration marks the beginning of an ongoing journey between Woodford Reserve and the visionary designers. Other fashion collaborations to expand the Flavor Notes Collection will be announced in the coming years.

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Compartés Chocolatier Jonathan Grahm teamed up with Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall to create chocolate designed to pair with the whiskey. Handcrafted by a small team of gourmet chocolatiers in Los Angeles, each of the four truffle flavors complements the Double Oaked sweet aromatic flavor profile.

“Jonathan Grahm is a true genius and artist,”  said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “The tasting notes of wood, spice, and florals found in the chocolates align perfectly with the flavors found in Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.”

Compartés x Woodford Reserve chocolates are handcrafted with a beautiful gold design and include four flavors that accentuate specific characteristics of Double Oaked:

• Butterscotch chocolate compliments its aromatic flavors, enhancing the butterscotch notes and bringing out the roasted coffee flavor. The combination of the bourbon and butterscotch chocolate tastes like chocolate-covered espresso beans.
• Pear Nutmeg chocolate highlights its fruit, floral and spice flavors. It brings out the sharp cedar, pepper spice and the dark raisin character of the bourbon.
• Oak Smoked Salt Caramel chocolate pairs with the wood, spice, and sweet flavors of the bourbon. The smoked salt makes the mouth water, followed by herbal tea and tobacco notes and a dry cocoa finish.
• Maple Pecan chocolate complements its grain, wood, and sweet notes. The chocolate highlights sweet brown sugar and maple notes, as well as the sweet oak and nutty pecan, almond, and walnut flavors of the bourbon.

“The flavors in bourbon are so complimentary to the flavors in chocolate, so partnering with Woodford Reserve was a perfect match,” said Compartés Chocolatier Jonathan Grahm. “I don’t think there’s another bourbon and chocolate pairing that is truly as perfect and in sync as Double Oaked and the chocolate truffles we’ve created.”

This isn’t the first time Woodford Reserve has paired its whiskey with chocolate. In 2021, it partnered with Phillip Ashley Chocolates for a similar collaboration.

The limited edition Compartés x Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bundle includes a bottle of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and four-piece chocolate box. It is available for $87.94 exclusively on Reserve Bar. They’re also available at retailers nationwide, many of which offer them as a set, and at Woodford Reserve Distillery. Guests traveling to the distillery have the opportunity to reserve the “Indulge the Senses” tour and tasting to experience a guided Double Oaked and Compartes pairing. Tickets are available for a limited time through February at woodfordreserve.com.

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