Since we are several months away from the next exciting Kentucky Derby, we want to spotlight a few Kentucky products that will be great for Derby next year, to have for yourself, or to give as gifts.
I found these really cool Maker’s Mark Cigars recently.  My favorite part is that each on comes in a glass tube sealed with the tradmark red wax.  The size is 6×50, is handmade, and has seasoning from Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
Now, if you are wondering what 6×50 stands for, it is the length of the cigar (6 inches), and the ring gauge of the cigar (50). One ring is 1/64″, so that is 50/64″ or, almost an inch.  This cigar has a subtle Marker’s Mark Bourbon taste. How do you know what taste is right for you? The best way is to just give it a try.  Cigar’s are all seasoned differently, and all experts say, the best way is trial and error.
OK, so my favorite thing about these cigars, besides being a cool Kentucky themed gift, is that you can buy a singe, set of 3 or box of 25.  You can buy these Maker’s Mark Cigars here.
Happy gifting…or smoking…

After all the excitement has died down, it is about that time to start gearing it back up. Whether this was your first Derby or you are an avid Derby-goer, you can always use extra tips for Derby. We have compiled a list of tips we have found helpful for Derby 2010.

Start looking for hotels now. Knowing the proximity of where you want to stay gives you better chances of getting the room. Not knowing until the last minute can cause you to miss out on the hotel you want along with another hotel in the area. There are several websites that are currently offering Derby package deals.

If the infield is not your style we would recommend you looking for Grand Stand tickets for Derby 2010 now. Preparing for the cost early is a great help when you are shelling out hundreds of dollars for tickets.

Planning out your weekend in town early is the best way to cut costs and be prepared. Knowing where you will dine and the star quality of the restaurant will help you prepare for the cost!

Kentucky Derby 2010 Packages

Kentucky Derby 2010 Dining

Kentucky Derby 2010 Hotels

Brown Derby

2 ounces dark rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon maple sugar

Shake the rum,* fresh-squeezed lime juice, and maple sugar* well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Brown Derby 2

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce of honey syrup

Add Bourbon, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, with crushed ice, mix and serve

Blackberry Julep

6 ounces frozen blackberries
10 ounces ice
4 ounces bourbon
4 ounces simple syrup
Fresh mint sprigs

Place ice and berries in food processor and pulse until coarsely crushed. Pack ice and berries into traditional 10-ounce silver cups.
Add simple syrup and bourbon. Garnish with mint.

Belmont over ice

4 tablespoons vodka
3 tablespoons club soda
1 tablespoon peach schnapps
1 tablespoon orange juice

Serve on the rocks. Garnish with an orange slice.

Thoroughbred Punch

Serves 15-18

1/2 Cup Sugar
4 ounces Lemon Juice
6oz Orange Juice
4 Ounces Grenadine
1 Liter Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1 Liter Club Soda

Combine Sugar with the lemon and orange juice and stir well
Add grenadine and Woodford Reserve and stir again
Add the club soda, garnish with mint sprig and Ice mold and serve.

During this year’s Derby week, more than 140,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are expected to be served at Churchill Downs. Over the past 22 years, more than 2.5 million Early Times Mint Juleps have been served between Kentucky Oaks® and Derby Days at Churchill Downs. This year’s Derby will take place May 2, 2009.

Early times has just release their commemorative bottle of bourbon for the Derby. Early Times has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby for the past 22 years.

Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

2 ounces Early Times

1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup

Mint Sprigs

Crushed Ice

Crush a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8 ounce glass, then fill with crushed ice. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and one tablespoon of water. Add 2 ounces Early Times. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.

Simple Syrup with Mint

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 bunch fresh mint springs

Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Pour mix over a handful of mint leaves and gently crush the mint with a spoon. Refrigerate overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves, but continue to refrigerate. Stays fresh for several weeks.

If you want to purchase pre-maid Mint Julep Mix, A Taste of Kentucky offers a great selection.

Last Friday I realized that if I was going to wear a hat that I better start looking since Derby was literally a week away. I decided to take the arts and crafts route and make my own hat. I looked online for Derby Hats and found some great designs.

I went to the store with these hats in mind. I also tried on my dress and shoes prior to going so that I would know what I wanted to match. I was tempted to just buy a pre-maid hat that would match until I saw the price tags. Instead, I found a plain black hat that was the style that I wanted. I tried different flower arrangements with ribbons and feathers before picking out the final accersories. My total came to $36.00, compared to the $268.00 total for the lady that checked out in front of me.

Making the hat was stress free. I had a sewing kit, scissors, wire cutters, and tacky glue. The ribbon was a bit trying at first. I used pins to hold it in place, then went around different sides of the hat stitching it in place with matching thread. There was excess ribbon after wrapping the ribbon around the hat, I folded and bunched the excess and sewed it in place on the side. This was the main side that I would be decorating. I attached white feather bunches, 2 feathers that stick out of the bunches, and miniature stargazer lilies (which I know are the official flowers of the Oaks and I am going to Derby) but they matched.

It took me about an hour to put the hat together. I let it dry over night and it looks fabulous! I can not wait to wear it to The Kentucky Derby.

It is about time to decide who you are betting for on the big race. The rumors are Quality Road is very fast, Dunkirk is a good possibility, Pioneerof The Nile is the Best Choice, Chocolate Candy has a shot, Desert Party could be your third choice, and General Quarters has a longshot.

I Want Revenge
Quality Road
Dunkirk
Friesan Fire
Pioneerof The Nile
Chocolate Candy
Desert Party
Hold Me Back
Musket Man
Papa Clem
General Quarters
Mr. Hot Stuff
Regal Ransom
Square Eddie
West Side Bernie
Win Willy

In reading the Scene from Saturday’s Courier-Journal, I came across this article that needs to be shared.

MERCHANT PAYS FREIGHT FOR DERBY TASTES SENT TO U.S. TROOPS

The annual April spike in out-of-town orders for Derby Pie is all the proof John Hassmann needs to know there are lots of Derby parties well outside of Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

But as the owner of A Taste of Kentucky, 11800 Shelbyville Road, Hassmann also knows that many U.S. troops serving at home and abroad wish they were here for the Running of the Roses. So each year his business pays the cost of shipping for Kentucky  products sent to soldiers.

“It’s not something we’ve promoted, but it’s been a standing rule that anytime anybody buys something to send to active-duty personnel, we pay the shipping,” said Hassmann, who served in the U.S. Navy in the 1960’s.

Not surprising, top on the gift list is the legendary Kern’s Kitchen Derby Pie.

“For about the last 10 years we’ve sent out four or five cases of pies every Derby and Christmas” to the submarine crews of the U.S.S. Louisville and the U.S.S. Kentucky, Hassmann said. The U.S.S. Louisville crew returned their gratitude a few years ago by taking Hassmann for an all-day ride on the sub during a post-maintenance shakedown cruise.

Thankful sailors attending the Derby also have visited him personally at the shop. “We just try to support them whenever we have the opportunity,” Hassmann said.

One of the many things that Kentucky people pride themselves in could be none other than consuming mass amounts of liquor. Combing horse racing and bourbon is nothing short of a dream come true. Woodford Reserve released a limited edition 2009 Kentucky Derby bottle featuring artwork from retired jockey Tom Chapman.

“Much as we try, it’s impossible to express in words the intensity of racing from a jockey’s perspective,” said artist Tom Chapman. “My goal is to capture it with a paint brush and canvas, often using unique angles and vibrant colors to set the tone. But no painting can truly capture the vibrancy and intensity of the Kentucky Derby.”

The artist’s signature adorns the neck band of the bottle, and an attached tag bears information about the artist and product. The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available beginning in early April throughout the nation in 38 states.

PAMA Pomegranate Mint Julep:

2 oz. PAMA pomegranate liqueur
2 oz. Bourbon
2 Sprigs of fresh mint
2 sugar cubes

In a mixing glass, muddle mint and sugar with bourbon and PAMA. Shake ingredients vigorously over ice and strain into a cup over crushed ice. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of fresh mint, then serve.

If you need Mint Julep cups or Mint Julep glasses here are some great links.

Mint Julep Cups
Mint Julep Glasses