Springtime in Kentucky is a time for bluegrass, tulips in bloom, horse racing and the annual release of the Maker’s Mark Distillery Keeneland collection and this year is no exception. Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky has released a trio of custom, hand-dipped bottles of bourbon.
Maker’s Mark Keeneland bottles hit store shelves over the weekend just as Keeneland sounded the trumpets for its spring meet.
Through a strategic partnership with LexArts, greater Lexington’s premier cultural development, advocacy and fundraising organization, the proceeds from this year’s commemorative bottle release will benefit the creation of a permanent public art legacy project. Miniature bronze horses will be creatively placed through downtown Lexington to create an interactive tour that heralds past and present stories of Kentucky culture.
“Keeneland and Maker’s Mark continue to be excellent partners of the arts and their significant corporate support is to be commended,” said LexArts President & CEO, Ame Sweetall. “In this community-building legacy project, cleverly hidden miniature horse sculptures will continue to celebrate Lexington as the Horse Capital of the World and will include additional educational engagement opportunities for Lexington’s residents and visitors.”
For the third year, the commemorative bottles will showcase three distinct label designs featuring the work of artists Sandra Oppegard, Andre Pater and Tyler Robertson. The label art depicts winning jockeys from the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships held at Keeneland.
Each label is signed by the artist who created the design, plus Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin and Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Maker’s Mark® Managing Director Rob Samuels. The labels will also be signed by one of three winning jockeys from the Breeders’ Cup World Championships: Flavien Prat (Classic), Tyler Gaffalione (Juvenile Fillies and Turf Sprint) and Hall of Famer John Velazquez (Distaff).
“Keeneland is proud to team up with Maker’s Mark and LexArts on this unique initiative to celebrate public art and Central Kentucky’s signature horse industry,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We all share a mission to enhance life in the local community, and supporting the arts is fundamental toward that goal.”
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Maker’s Mark and Keeneland have collaborated on a commemorative bottle release for 26 years, every year since 1997, raising millions of dollars for a variety of worthy causes throughout Central Kentucky.
“Maker’s Mark shares LexArts’ enthusiasm for celebrating and sharing Kentucky culture. It’s why we invite thousands of visitors to come to our home in Loretto each year, and why lasting partnerships with organizations like Keeneland are so important to us,” said Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels. “We are honored to use the funds raised through this year’s commemorative bottles to support LexArts and public art projects throughout the state.”
Q: Are Maker’s Mark Bottles Really Hand Dipped and Labeled?
A: Yes, and here is the Proof.
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