Finlandia renews Kentucky Derby sponsorship

Brown-Forman’s Finlandia Vodka brand has renewed its sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby horse-racing event.

Finlandia Vodka is the ‘official vodka’ of the upcoming Kentucky Derby

Finlandia will once again act as the ‘official vodka’ for the event, held at the Churchill Downs racecourse, where it will serve the Oaks Lily cocktail recipe, first created by Brown-Forman in 2006.

Dallas Cheatham, Finlandia Vodka brand manager, said: “Finlandia is thrilled to return as the ‘official vodka’ of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, and as an important ingredient in the original Oaks Lily cocktail recipe, we’re honoured to be a true testament of the tradition and craft of the Kentucky Derby.”

Around 85,000 Oaks Lilys – made with Finlandia, sweet and sour mix, triple sec and cranberry juice – are served at the Churchill Downs each year.

The Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday 5 May.

Finland-made vodka Finlandia is Brown-Forman’s only vodka brand. The US drinks group’s Woodford Reserve Bourbon is also the ‘official Bourbon’ of the Kentucky Derby.