Everyone knows that the Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, but this year Woodford Reserve Bourbon in partnership with Tiffany & Company are upping the ante. Luxury minded equine enthusiasts can enjoy a special limited edition julep made from the best ingredients and serve in a silver cup for the hefty price tag of $1,000.
There are any number of variations, but the basic mint julep recipe is a blend of bourbon, water, sugar and mint. While serious thinking men often find the drink too sweet and cloying for their more refined tastes, it is popular among dilettante drinkers and women. The Woodford/Tiffany Mint Julep will spare no expense to create the finest cocktail on the planet. The excellent BourbonBlog.com reports on their recipe:
– Ice made of rainwater captured on the pristine island of Tasmania, Australia, where the air is scientifically proven to be the purest in the world. The air travels over Antarctica and 10,000 miles of ocean reaching the western part of Tasmania called “The Edge of the World” where it is collected without ever touching the ground.
– Rare Chocolate mint grown in San Diego, California. This unique mint adds a tantalizing touch of spring freshness to the classic Mint Julep.
– Bourbon Smoked Sugar from Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville, KY represents the union of flavors that result when Woodford Reserve barrels are combined with raw Demerara sugar. The bourbon-soaked barrel staves are utilized during the smoking process to impart a sweet, caramel flavor and the essence of smoked oak.
– A small batch of the Master Distiller’s personal selection of Woodford Reserve super-premium bourbon, selected specifically for the $1,000 Mint Julep by Master Distiller Chris Morris.
The drink will be served in a specially made, sterling silver julep cup created by Tiffany. This isn’t just conspicuous consumption taken to its extreme–it’s all for great charitable cause: The Heart of a Horse Foundation has a very simple mission statement–to help horses in need. Woodford Reserve has provided a great deal of financial support for the organization and will continue to do so in the future according to brand manager Laura Petry:
“Woodford Reserve is proud to partner with Tiffany & Co. to bring horse racing fans the most well-crafted mint julep cup ever to be sold. We look forward to assisting The Heart of a Horse Foundation in their horse rescue mission.”
Susanne Halmi, group director of Tiffany & Co, echoed these sentiments:
“Tiffany & Co. represents the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in silversmithing today and we are thrilled to continue that heritage with the creation of these sterling silver mint julep cups. It is an honor to partner with Woodford Reserve for a second year while also supporting the Heart of a Horse Foundation.”
You can find out more about the julep cup here:
Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup
Find out more about the Heart of a Horse Foundation and make a donation here: