Woodford Reserve tells BourbonBlog.com that a time-honored tradition with an unparalleled offering for the 151st Kentucky Derby: the $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cup program. Subscribe to our newsletter for continued Kentucky Derby 151 coverage.
There are 151 hand-crafted julep cups available: 51 fine polished pewter cups at $1,000 each, and 100 sterling silver cups with heavy 24-karat gold plating at $5,000.
This year honors the legendary fillies that have conquered the Derby’s illustrious course – Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988).
Net proceeds from the sale of this year’s julep cups benefit Our Mims Retirement Haven (pictured below). Founded by Jeanne Mirabito, this sanctuary outside of Paris, Kentucky, is a retirement farm for fillies and broodmares, and is named after the 1977 Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Our Mims.
(We’re also including the NEW cocktail recipe created for Kentucky Derby 151 below too).
The $1,000 Mint Julep Are Still Available This Year
The $1,000 Mint Julep Cup is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, meticulously fashioned from polished pewter.
However, for those wanting a $5,000 Cup, it showcases an even more opulent design, featuring 24k heavy gold plating over sterling silver.
Crafted by Louisville jeweler From the Vault, and designed by Josh Merideth of Makers Agency, both cups are adorned with sterling silver accents, including the iconic Derby trophy, and embellished with lab-grown white and pink sapphires.
Cups can be pre-purchased and must be picked up at Churchill Downs at the $5,000 Mint Julep Cup Experience during The Kentucky Oaks (Friday, May 2) or The Kentucky Derby (Friday, May 3).
“As we anticipate the 151st Run for the Roses, we celebrate the exceptional fillies who have etched their names in Derby history,” said Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve. “Perhaps this year we will witness the crowning of another champion filly.”
“We are honored that the Woodford Reserve team selected us as the philanthropic partner of their mint julep charity cup program this year,” said Pete Mirabito, President of Our Mims. “Fillies and mares are the backbone of the industry. This partnership will allow us to further rescue, revitalize and care for these retired thoroughbred racehorses and broodmares.”
This year’s mint julep recipe features three mint varieties to honor the three winning fillies:
The Filly Mint Julep Recipe
2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
One barspoon of hand-crafted simple syrup
1 sprig of Chocolate Mint
1 spring of Peppermint
1 spring of Spearmint
Directions: Mix bourbon and simple syrup in the bottom of a julep cup, then fill with crushed ice. Garnish with three springs of mint.
Woodford Reserve is the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.
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