Booze News: Maker's Mark Keeneland Bottle

The 2022 Maker’s Mark Keeneland commemorative bottles are here!

This year's gorgeous collectable bottles feature one of three distinct label designs depicting scenes of Thoroughbred racing. The bottles feature the work of artists Sandra Oppegard, Andre Pater or Tyler Robertson. This year’s bottles will benefit Horse Mania, the public art initiative of LexArts, greater Lexington’s premier cultural development, advocacy and fundraising organization.

Each bottle is signed by the artist who created the design, along with Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Maker’s Mark Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels and one of three of the winningest female riders in Keeneland history: Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik and Donna Barton Brothers.

“Keeneland is committed to supporting public art exhibits like Horse Mania, which have coincided with some of the major equestrian events at the racetrack and in our community and celebrate the vibrant cultural importance of our sport to the Commonwealth and the international stage,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said in a press release issued today. “We are excited to continue our longstanding collaboration with Maker’s Mark in support of LexArts.”

“At Maker’s Mark, we share LexArts’ commitment to celebrating and encouraging public art, such as those at our distillery in Loretto,” said Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels via press release. “I’m proud our long partnership with Keeneland allows us to support the popular Horse Mania in such a meaningful way.”

The three bottles will go on sale Friday, April 8, opening day of Keeneland’s 2022 Spring Meet. Bottles will be available at Lexington-area Liquor Barn Stores.

(Photos courtesy Maker’s Mark)

Old Forester Old Fashioned

Today is National Cocktail Day, y’all. Now, I’m not usually one for these made-up internet holidays, and these days I’d rather sip my bourbon neat rather than mix up a cocktail. But, it was such a lovely afternoon to sit on the porch and enjoy an Old Fashioned.

The Old Fashioned claims its roots in the late 19th century, at Louisville’s famed Pendennis Club. I’ve heard it called Louisville’s official cocktail, and the official drink of Thurby. Whatever you call it, the sweet syrup, tart bitters, strong bourbon and hint of orange make for a lovely cocktail. You can sweeten it with a wheated bourbon or you can add a high-proof pour to even out the edges. It’s usually a great sipper, unless your bartender goes overboard with the bitters.

The best Old Fashioned I ever drank was during an interview and tasting experience. Jackie Zykan, the Master Taster at Old Forester, made the perfect OldFo Old Fashioned as we talked and tasted at the Brown-Forman Shively Warehouse. While this was kind of a once-in-a lifetime experience — trust me when I say that Jackie is one of the coolest, most knowledgeable, and all-around awesome people you’ll ever meet and I can only dream of being a badass like she is— we can all try her recipe at home.

The Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe, via Old Forester

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. Old Forester 100 Proof

• 0.5 oz. Demerara Syrup (2:1)

• 2 dashes Angostura™ Bitters

  Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain over ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon and orange peel.

Cheers, y’all!