The Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races, is the longest continually held sporting event in America. Established in 1875, the race takes place the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs racetrack. You may wonder why I am telling you about horse racing… Kentucky is a bourbon lover’s dream with around 95% of bourbon production taking place in the region.
In the late 18th century, Scottish, Irish and German immigrants brought their distilling knowledge to the region. The “Corn Patch and Cabin Rights” Act offered 400 acres of land to anyone who would build a cabin and plant corn. The fertile land made corn grow plentifully, which allowed it to also be used for whiskey production. In fact, it is estimated that by the time Kentucky became an official state in 1792, there were already 500 distillers in the state.
Derby Experiences offer a wide range of packages for the races, many of which include bourbon whiskey. The Kentucky Derby is not just about horses but about southern hospitality, great events around the races and, of course, what Kentucky does best, bourbon!
Bourbon Lover’s Guide with Derby Experiences
1 Private Bourbon Tasting
Derby Experiences offer several parties and events which include bourbon tastings. The Kentucky Derby 2025 kick-off party, known as Fillies & Lilies, includes live music, great-quality food and drinks (including whiskey cocktails), but, most importantly, a private bourbon tasting.
Hosted at the newly renovated Kentucky Derby Museum, the tasting will include bourbons such as Weller, Blanton’s Special, Colonel E.H. Taylor, JR. Small Batch and more. For more information and tickets, see the Derby Experiences website.
A little more about the whiskies:
William Larue Weller developed his original bourbon recipe with wheat rather than rye. The Weller wheat whiskey collection includes several whiskey expressions from age statements to single barrels.
Blanton’s whiskey bottles have trademark stoppers which feature a horse and jockey in different strides and poses modelled on the various stages of a horse race. Each of the eight stoppers has a single letter, with the full collection spelling Blantons – the final S marking the finish of the race. A perfect whiskey brand to be featured at the Kentucky Derby!
E.H. Taylor, JR Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an ideal sipping bourbon, and the brand has played an important part in the history of bourbon. Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. is considered one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry. He fought for better standards in the bourbon industry, such as the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. He also came up with several innovative methods that are still used today, including the climate-controlled ageing warehouse.
2 Bourbon Country Tour
Explore Kentucky’s legendary distilleries and sip the world’s finest bourbons during the Bourbon Distillery Tour. Along with an expert guide, you’ll spend your day at several local distilleries learning about their individual time-honoured process of creating the bourbon that Kentucky is known for. Some of the distilleries included in this tour are Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill.
Maker’s Mark whisky is made using a mixture of red winter wheat (16%), locally grown corn (70%) and malted barley (14%). All of this comes from local, family-run farms within a hundred miles of the distillery. Back in 1953, Bill Samuels Sr. wanted to create a smooth, easy-drinking whisky and came up with the Maker’s Mark recipe. He wanted to honour their Scottish-Irish heritage by calling it whisky without the ‘e’, unlike every other bourbon brand in the US.
Margie Samuels, on the other hand, came up with the bottle shape, label and the signature red wax. The name of the distillery was also her suggestion. Margie left a big imprint in the bourbon industry, and she is credited with inventing bourbon tourism. So, this tour really is a big part of the Kentucky bourbon whiskey history.
Heaven Hill Distillery was founded in 1935, and it is the largest family-owned, independent whiskey distillery in America. It makes every major style and type of American whiskey, with five signature mashbills. Its whiskey collections include the Heaven Hill range, Bernheim Original, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Rittenhouse Rye and more.
3 Kentucky Derby All-Inclusive Concessions
These all-inclusive Kentucky Derby packages will have bourbons such as Woodford Reserve and Old Forrester available as well as bourbon-based cocktails. For whisky lovers in general, you can also get some scotch whisky there too.
Take a look at these Derby Experiences packages:
Situated near the first turn, Section 111 provides the perfect vantage point to watch the horses round the first turn and end with a storied finish. All guests in this section enjoy first-floor uncovered box seating and access to unlimited traditional Churchill Downs concession options and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
This package is brand new to the Kentucky Derby 2025. Starting Gate Courtyard guests will have access to a newly constructed concessions area exclusive to Grandstand guests, allowing them to beat the long queues. Indulge in all the flavours of the Kentucky Derby with unlimited options, unique small vendors, and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
4 Enjoy Mint Julep Cocktail
You can’t talk about the Kentucky Derby without mentioning the Mint Julep! A simple yet refreshing cocktail made with bourbon, fresh mint, sugar and crushed ice, it was adopted as the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby in 1938. They estimate that around 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the two-day race period each year.
Other race-day cocktails include Brown Derby, made with grapefruit juice, bourbon and honey syrup, and Kentucky Oaks Lily whose ingredients include vodka, lemon, sugar, orange liqueur and cranberry juice.
5 Visit Bars and Restaurants with a Bourbon Focus
Trouble Bar
Located in the historic Shelby Park neighbourhood, Trouble Bar is a laid-back cocktail lounge with a focus on Kentucky whiskey. This female-owned bar offers a relaxed vibe, whiskey flights, and a rotating selection of innovative cocktails. It’s a great spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing or before heading out for the evening.
Hell or High Water
Hidden beneath downtown Louisville, Hell or High Water is a speakeasy bar offering an intimate setting for craft cocktails. The atmosphere is sophisticated, with a menu featuring cocktails that pay homage to Louisville’s bourbon roots. Perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a unique drinking experience.
Repeal
Repeal is an oak-fired steakhouse in the former site of J.T.S. Brown and Sons’ wholesale warehouse and bottling operations prior to Prohibition. You’ll find it at Whiskey Row, which was once home to the bourbon industry. On theme, they prepare their steaks over the flames of oak-aged barrels. Pair your meal with a bourbon from their extensive whiskey menu (which also includes scotch and Japanese whisky).
River House Restaurant & Raw Bar
This is a restaurant for seafood lovers, although bourbon enthusiasts should go here for a whiskey flight (they have many flight options available) or take time to relax with a cocktail in hand. The Raw Bar has a special menu of several Signature Old Fashioned and Manhattan Cocktail variations.
Now that you have all the necessary bourbon knowledge for the occasion, all that’s left to do is secure your access! Explore the Kentucky Derby Ticket Package offerings or consult an event specialist to help you find the perfect fit for you and your party.
For more about the races, packages and tips on how to prepare for the occasion, see the Derby Experiences website.
Which bourbon would you choose for watching the Kentucky Derby? Have you ever been to the race in person?
Disclaimer: This blog post has been created in collaboration with Derby Experiences.
Inka Larissa is an award-winning freelance spirits writer, content creator and Whisky Influencer of the Year 2026. Writing about whisky, cocktails and spirits since 2015, she explores the world of spirits from seed to glass. She is also co-host of the Whisky Sisters podcast.
