Ragged Branch Risen Star Reserve Honors Louisiana Horse
Louisianian-Owned Distillery in Virginia Partners With Ronnie Lamarque To Commemorate Historic 1988 Risen Star Run
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (press release) – Ragged Branch Distillery, located in Augusta County, Virginia, announced an exclusive special-edition release of Ragged Branch Risen Star Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey in Louisiana.
Organizers share that the release commemorates the thrilling and historic 1988 run of the champion thoroughbred racehorse, Risen Star, who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and famously captured the hearts of Louisianians along the way.
Why “Risen Star?”
Owned by New Orleanians Ronnie Lamarque and Louis Roussel III, Risen Star was the son of the legendary Virginia-born Secretariat, who won horse racing’s Triple Crown in 1973.
Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, the horse nearly matched his father’s glory.
“Risen Star was among the greatest stories in the history of Louisiana horse racing”, said Ronnie Lamarque. “Never before had New Orleanians rallied around a horse quite like they did with Risen Star. It was absolutely amazing how many fans the colt had during those five weeks. It was amazing to be a part of, and the excitement was unmatched.”
The Ragged Branch Distillery is owned in part by Chris Sarpy and Dr. Steve Slaton, both of Covington, La. A highly respected craft distillery near Charlottesville, Ragged Branch produces a range of grain-to-glass Bourbons, including Louisiana Reserve 90pf, Wheated Bottled In Bond 100pf, Barrel Proof Cowboy Cut and a Bottled in Bond 100pf Rye Whiskey, alongside a range of other special releases.
The Risen Star Reserve release is a proprietary 100pf Bourbon hand-selected by Ragged Branch Master Distiller Alex Toomy from among the distillery’s finest aged barrels. Only 594 bottles of Risen Star are available for sale.
Ronnie Lamarque signed bottles of Risen Star Reserve at the following retail locations this month:
- Dorignac’s in Metairie, Friday, April 10
- Acquistapace’s Covington Market, Saturday, April 11
Risen Star will be available in April in select stores across Southeast Louisiana, where spirits are sold, while supplies last. The suggested retail price of Ragged Branch Risen Star Straight Bourbon Whiskey is $79.99 for a 750ml bottle.
From Ragged Branch Distillery, Bottle of Ragged Branch Risen Star 2026
