The Woodford Reserve 2011 Kentucky Derby Bottle

Woodford Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, tells BourbonBlog.com that they are releasing of the 2011 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle. This limited-edition Woodford bottle features the artwork of award-winning artist and Virginia native Brett Amory.

Amory showcases two horses racing in the final moments of “the greatest two minutes in sports” at finish line of Churchill Downs with the only splash of color on the bottle as the two horses dig into the ground with dirt being tossed up in the air. The two colored horses along with their jockeys are the main feature on the bottle, standing out against a silhouette of muted browns and grays of the historic spires and fans in the background.

“The build up to the Derby is unlike any other sporting event,” Amory tells BourbonBlog.com. “Louisville is absolutely transformed, and people from all over the world come to join the excitement. I wanted to capture on canvas that one key moment they all came to see.”

The limited edition liter-size bottle is now available in 42 US states to celebrate Kentucky Derby 137 at a suggested retail price of $42.99.

“The horses–what the Derby is all about–grab you on the bottle,” Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager tells us.

Woodford is also inviting you to enter Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. No purchase necessary to win, either register your Derby bottle’s unique number printed on the neck label on www.WellCraftedDerby.com OR if without purchase register by visiting this link, and note official rules on that site.

Upon registering, you’ll be given a randomly-generated post position, from 1-20, for the 2011 Kentucky Derby. If the horse that starts from your assigned post position wins, you will be entered in the grand prize trip drawing.

Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011 at Churchill Downs, 700 Central Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky…see you there!