How to Derby | Woodford Reserve and Old Forester at Liquor Barn

If there's anything Kentuckians look forward to as winter warms up into spring, it's the Kentucky Derby and the partying and festivities leading up to it! Louisville really comes alive in anticipation for the horse racing, bourbon drinking, hats, and local flair of the Derby.

A week before Oaks, I shot a fun event called How to Derby at the local Liquor Barn in Springhurst, featuring Brown-Forman's top Derby libations-- Old Forester bourbon, Woodford Reserve bourbon, Korbel Champagne, and Finlandia vodka. Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris and 2018 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 144 bottle artist Keith Anderson were in attendance to sign bottles and posters for excited fans. Between the signing tables, the bar serving mint juleps, liquor tasting tables, swag distribution, and live music by The Porch Possums Bluegrass Band, there were also local vendors mingling and selling their derby inspired collections. Clayton & Crume handcrafted leather goods, Peake Ties ties and bowties, Mysterious Rack hats and fascinators, plus bourbon barrel cake, bourbon balls and chocolates, and cigars. If you weren't ready for derby before the event, you certainly were after!