Derby season is officially on at BourbonBlog.com. Woodford Reserve—presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby—has released its 2026 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle, a collector tradition that’s been running since 1999.

BourbonBlog.com was at today’s press conference at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky as Woodford Reserve unveiled its 2026 Kentucky Derby 152 commemorative bottle.

This is a one-liter Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey commemorative bottle created for Kentucky Derby 152. The MSRP is $50, and Woodford says it’s available globally starting in March, including at Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. The bottle is labeled at 45.2% ABV.

This is the official Woodford Derby bottle most stores carry each year, so you should start seeing it at big liquor stores and bourbon shops as Derby season ramps up.

Feeling thirsty yet? BourbonBlog.com hosts Kentucky Derby tastings in Kentucky, virtually, and for groups around the world—helping guests get ready for Derby week with the right pours and the right storylines. Learn more here, and keep following our Derby coverage by subscribing to our Bourbon newsletter here.

)Inside the Artwork: Anna Murphy’s “Dress to Impress, 152”

This year’s artwork is titled “Dress to Impress, 152” by Anna Murphy, a Chicago-based fine artist and muralist best known for her blue-and-white porcelain-inspired style. Murphy was at today’s press conference sharing what the artwork means to her and signing prints of the piece

Murphy’s Derby design leans into what a lot of fans love most about Derby weekend: the fashion. Woodford says the art includes the Derby’s red roses, plus other symbolic florals like speedwell, a flower historically gifted for protection during travel.

Murphy is originally from England, moved to Kentucky at age 12, and earned a BFA in Painting from the University of Louisville (2011). Her broader work blends traditional fine-art detail with the scale and public presence of mural work—one reason her style translates cleanly onto a bottle label.

What’s next for Derby 152 (and where fans can connect in person)

On the racing calendar, Kentucky Derby 152 is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026. The night-before lead-in is getting a bigger spotlight too: the Kentucky Oaks will run in primetime for the first time in 2026—8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 1, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

If you’re going to be in Kentucky, Woodford is also promoting a Derby 152 bottle signing event at the distillery with Master Distillers Elizabeth McCall and Chris Morris, alongside Murphy, with a photo moment in front of a custom mural.

Special thanks to Jevon Dade for capturing today’s event.