Customers will have two opportunities to raise a glass on the 50th anniversary of racing legend Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown. Virginia ABC will offer
Secretariat Reserve Straight Bourbon from Virginia’s Ragged Branch Distillery – including bottles autographed by jockey Ron Turcotte.
The bourbon’s mash bill includes grain grown at Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, where Secretariat was born and raised. The bottle features custom artwork of the famed horse, who still holds the fastest time record in each of the three races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes - that comprise the Triple Crown.
“Secretariat is a Virginia legend, and we are proud to recognize his legacy with this Virginia-made spirit,” said CEO Travis Hill. “This latest product is the most recent example of how Virginia distillers continue to break ground with new and creative products reflecting the tradition and excellence that mark distilling in the Commonwealth.”
Secretariat Reserve is distilled from a mash bill of corn, rye and malted barley. The spirit is aged for over five years and bottled-in-bond. It is 100 proof. All bottles are 750ml and priced at $99.99. The label is from original work by New York-based artist, Eric Helvie.
Secretariat’s jockey during the Triple Crown races, Ron Turcotte, has autographed 187 bottles that will be offered by online lottery for retail customers. All entries received during the entry period, March 29 to 31, will have an equal opportunity to win. The lottery is open to individual Virginia residents 21 and older. Winners will be selected at random in a drawing from all valid entries received during the lottery entry period. At the time of purchase, winners must present a valid Virginia photo ID. The name and address on the photo ID must both match the name and address on the winner’s entry.
Additional details on the lottery process are available at
https://www.abc.virginia.gov/products/limited-availability/lottery/lottery-terms. Virginia ABC held a separate lottery event for mixed beverage licensees.
On Saturday April 22, bourbon fans can trot (or gallop) to their nearest Virginia ABC
retail store for the release of unsigned bottles. Every location will have one case (six bottles) for sale. This event is in-store only, one bottle per customer. Limited quantities will also be available at the Ragged Branch Distillery store in Charlottesville.
Customers are encouraged to visit Virginia ABC’s website at
http://www.abc.virginia.gov to search for stores, determine the availability of products at any retail location and order spirits online for in-store or curbside pickup, or home delivery in select areas.
Per the Code of Virginia, ABC’s profits from in-store and online retail sales are remitted each year to the commonwealth for designated state programs and services. For fiscal year 2022, ABC contributed a total of $622.8 million ($243.6 million from retail sales) to the commonwealth.
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The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $2.7 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates 399 state stores and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees approximately 19,000 ABC licensed establishments. Now marking its 88th year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia.
Web: www.abc.virginia.gov Facebook: @VirginiaABC and @SpiritedVirginia Instagram: @spiritedvirginia Twitter: @VirginiaABC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virginiaabc
