Kentucky Derby Bourbon Special – Woodford Reserve vs Pinhook 9-Year Bourbon Tasting and Review!
The Kentucky Derby!
🎥 Click here to watch the full Derby Special on YouTube
Kentucky Derby Bourbon Special
Woodford Reserve vs. Pinhook Vertical 9-Year Bourbon Tasting and Review
In this special episode of Tortured Bourbon, we’re suiting up for one of our favorite annual traditions—The Kentucky Derby. And we’re not just picking ponies—we’re pouring bourbon, exploring history, and ranking two Kentucky heavyweights in a head-to-head tasting: the official bourbon of the Derby, Woodford Reserve, and the limited-release Pinhook Vertical Series 9-Year Bourbon.
🎩 What’s the Tortured Bourbon Derby Episode?
Think bourbon review meets Derby day banter. We blend history with hilarity, whiskey with wagering, and cocktails with commentary. Whether you’re here for the bourbon tasting, the bourbon review, or the Run for the Roses, we’ve got something for you.
And yes—we do sip a mint julep. Just one.
🏇 A Quick Gallop Through Derby History
The Kentucky Derby began in 1875, thanks to Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. (yep, those Lewis and Clark). Inspired by European horse races, he founded Churchill Downs in Louisville. Fast forward to today, and what started as a 1½-mile race with 10,000 spectators is now a 1¼-mile event drawing over 150,000 fans each May.
By 1896, the iconic garland of roses was introduced for the winning horse, giving rise to the phrase “Run for the Roses.” And over the years, we’ve seen legends like Secretariat, American Pharoah, and Mine That Bird turn Churchill Downs into hallowed ground.
🍹 The Mint Julep – From Medicine to Derby Mainstay
Before it became a Derby tradition, the mint julep was used in the 1700s as—you guessed it—medicine. By the 1800s, it evolved into a Southern cocktail staple: crushed ice, fresh mint, sugar, and bourbon, served in a silver cup.
In 1938, Churchill Downs made it official, and today, over 120,000 mint juleps are served during Derby weekend. We give it a taste… but spoiler alert: we quickly move on to straight bourbon.
🥃 Bourbon Tasting #1:
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, and for good reason. Made in Versailles, KY and owned by Brown-Forman, this bourbon is smooth, elegant, and a true thoroughbred.
Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dried fruit, vanilla, citrus, toasted oak
Palate: Baking spice, toffee, orange zest
Finish: Long, oaky, sweet
It’s a refined pour that hits the sweet spot between approachability and flavor. But is it a race-day winner?
🥃 Bourbon Tasting #2:
Pinhook Vertical Series 9-Year Bourbon
Next up: a real contender. Pinhook’s Vertical Series tracks the same barrels year after year. This 9-Year Bourbon, called Bourbon Heist, was distilled at Castle & Key and aged in Kentucky.
Mash Bill: 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Maple syrup, toasted nuts, dried fig
Palate: Spiced caramel, leather, molasses
Finish: Warm, cinnamon cherry, long and rich
It’s complex, bold, and unafraid to show its age—and definitely earns a spot on the Derby tasting card.
🎲 Derby Day Tips – How to Watch and Bet
Watching the Derby:
Airs on NBC, around 6:57 PM EST
14 races total, but the Derby is Race #12
Don’t miss “My Old Kentucky Home” before the race—it’s tradition.
Betting Basics:
Win = 1st
Place = 1st or 2nd
Show = 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
Want chaos? Try an Exacta, Trifecta, or Superfecta—if you dare.
Whether you win or lose, just sip your bourbon and say:
“Well, that horse ran outta gas on the backstretch… but looked damn good outta the gate.”
📺 Watch the Full Episode
🎥 Click here to watch the full Derby Special on YouTube
🏁 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re dressing up for the Derby or pouring bourbon in your pajamas, this episode is for you. Woodford Reserve brings tradition, Pinhook brings innovation, and together they give us the perfect way to celebrate the intersection of bourbon and thoroughbred racing.
As always, Tortured Bourbon is here to taste, talk, and toast with all of you—no matter which horse you bet on.
Cheers, y’all—may your bourbon be smooth, your pony be fast, and your bets be slightly better than ours.
📲 Stay Connected
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
No TikTok. We drink bourbon, not do dances.
Tags: kentucky derby bourbon, bourbon tasting, woodford reserve review, pinhook vertical bourbon, castle and key distillery, bourbon vs bourbon, bourbon blog, bourbon review, derby day bourbon, mint julep cocktail, bourbon ranking, tortured bourbon
