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Commemorative Keeneland Bourbon Bottle Hits Store Shelves Friday

By Alan Lytle

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-962084.mp3

Lexington, KY – Bourbon connoisseurs are expected to make a beeline to area liquor stores Friday morning to snag a commemorative bottle of Makers Mark; this year honoring the 75th anniversary of Keeneland.

The bottle is the latest in a series of charitable efforts involving the distiller, Keeneland, and the University of Kentucky. Makers Mark President and CEO Bill Samuels, who's retiring this year, calls it a fitting tribute to the historic track.

"This is our fifteenth year, it's also my last year of gainful employment and it just seemed appropriate that we would celebrate the 75th anniversary of our partner Keeneland."

Sale proceeds this year will help fund an endowment for the UK Symphony Orchestra's outreach program. Symphony Director, John Nardolillo calls it a win/win.

"We just last week went out to Whitesburg and played for sixteen-hundred high school kids. And a lot of those kids had never had the chance to hear an orchestra live. It has a big impact on them, but it has a big impact on our kids. If we play for younger kids, many of them end up taking up music, and enrolling in school music programs. And if we play for the older kids, that attracts them to UK; even if they're not necessarily musicians."

Purchasers can bring their bottle to Keeneland the following Friday morning April 15th, and have it autographed by Bill Samuels, UK President Lee Todd, or Keeneland President Nick Nicholson.