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Unique Kentucky Derby Julep Is Going To Cost A Mint
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Woodford Reserve is offering 99 of its $1,000 mint juleps in an online sale that began this week.
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Published: April 17, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The priciest cocktail in town on Derby day this year will be made from ingredients found only in Kentucky.
Woodford Reserve is offering 99 of its $1,000 mint juleps in an online sale that began this week.
It's the third year for the costly cocktail, which in years past has been made with ingredients from far-flung locations such as the South Pole, Australia and Africa. This year, the sugar, mint and ice — along with the Woodford Reserve bourbon — all come from Kentucky.
"It will taste a bit different this year, by design," said Wayne Rose, Woodford Reserve's brand director.
Well-heeled buyers will be served their julep on May 3 at Churchill Downs in a gold cup that commemorates the 35th anniversary of Secretariat's 1973 win. The online sales end April 29.
Two of the 99 cups are studded with diamonds and sapphires and will be auctioned online at www.woodfordreservemintjulep.com.
The drink will be mixed with fresh sprigs of mint from Claiborne Farm, the final resting place of Secretariat in Paris, Ky. The ice will come from limestone water in Woodford County, and the sugar is a naturally grown sorghum made in Louisville.
Rose said the $1,000 price is not a deterrent on Derby day.
"I think when people buy the cup they're buying a memory," Rose said. "The fact that they choose a $1,000 julep to do it has wonderful talk value. They can put it on their shelf at home and be able to tell friends with pride the origin of that cup."
Woodford Reserve is giving the proceeds to the Secretariat Foundation, which was started by Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, to assist various equine-related charities.
Secretariat also captured the Preakness Stakes and Belmont in 1973 to win the Triple Crown. The horse still holds the record for the fastest time in the Kentucky Derby, 1:59 2/5.
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