FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Derby 150 will bring thousands of visitors from the across the state and the world to the Commonwealth for the “greatest two minutes in sports.” While many will go to Churchill Downs for the actual race, others just like to take part in the atmosphere.
From Louisville to Lexington, spirit makers big and small along the Bourbon Trail are getting in the spirit for Derby Week. J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort is putting the finishing touches on its special Derby themed bottles.
“Thursday we kick everything off. That’s going to be the day we release our greatest two ounces in bourbon, rye as well as whiskey; these three luxury J. Mattingly releases will be available on that Thursday of Derby Week,” said Mitchell Langley, a sales and business development representative at J. Mattingly.
The distillery is hosting watch parties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Derby Week, with Derby-themed cocktails, snacks and, of course, bourbon. It’s the first year the distillery will be in Frankfort. Founded in 2016, J. Mattingly was founded under another name in Georgetown and moved to the state capital last fall.
Langley said they expect higher amounts of visitors than usual with something for everyone to enjoy, whether or not they like bourbon.
“We try to get involved in everything that’s truly Kentucky in general; Kentucky Madness for the beginning of the Kentucky basketball season, or Derby and Oaks, we always try to take advantage of something that will get eyes and attention,” Langley said.
Down the road, Castle and Key is also gearing up to host visitors on Oaks and Derby Day.
“Of all the weeks in the year, that lead up week to Derby/Oaks and actual Derby Day is some of the busiest that we experience year around,” said Brett Connors, head blender at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort.
Connors said a lot of tourists don’t want to fight the crowds at Churchill, but still want to be a part of the excitement. Connors said the nearly 140-year-old castle built by whiskey visionary, EH Taylor, provides a perfect Kentucky backdrop.
“I feel like the equine industry, horse racing and bourbon have always been hand-in-hand, in fact EH Taylor was actually known for the ownership of a farm up the hill that in the modern era has become Ashford Stud which is known for housing the stables of both current triple crown winners,” Connors said.
In Lexington, Barrel House Distilling and Elkhorn Tavern will host Derby watch parties on Saturday. Head distiller Andrew Tyma says tourists may start at distilleries in Louisville but make their way east to see how everyone makes their product.
“How we do things is a little bit different than I would say most people. We’re very old school, we’re very hands on; this is our distillery operation right here in this one room. We have a cooker and two gorgeous pot stills,” Tyma said.
The Kentucky Distillers Association reports the bourbon industry is an over $9 billion economic impact on the state of Kentucky with over 2 million visits to the Bourbon Trail last year alone.