Bourbon Community Comes Together To Benefit Western Kentucky

Fred Minnick, The Kentucky Distillers' Association And The Bourbon Crusaders Host The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit, December 16 - 21

Bourbon curator Fred Minnick, The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) and The Bourbon Crusaders charitable organization partner for a fundraising event to support recovery and rebuilding efforts from the tornados that ravaged Western Kentucky.

The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit will feature an online and live auction of exclusive private barrel selection experiences, rare and vintage spirits, and unique tasting and tourism offerings from Kentucky’s signature distilling industry and hospitality and charitable partners.

The online auction will begin Thursday, Dec. 16 at 5 PM EST and run until Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 10 PM EST. A live-streamed auction will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21starting at 7 PM EST at Westport Whiskey & Wine in Louisville and will feature elite and immersive items from Kentucky’s legendary distillers.

“I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of support in recent days,” says Gov. Andy Beshear. “I appreciate our signature Bourbon industry quickly stepping up to raise much-needed money for Kentucky families that have lost so much in this tragedy.”

“Kentuckians are hurting," adds KDA President Eric Gregory. "They’ve lost their homes, loved ones and their livelihoods. It’s our obligation as a signature industry – and duty as fellow Kentuckians – to help each other in times of crisis. There is a real urgency here. These are our friends and neighbors, and they need help now.”

Auction items can be viewed and bid on via kybourbonbenefit.com.

All proceeds will go directly to the state’s official Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the tornados and severe storms of Saturday, Dec. 11. To learn more or make a donation, visit secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief.

“We've been the recipients of so much generous hospitality from the fine people of Kentucky,” says The Bourbon Crusaders founder RJ Sargent. “They've treated us like family. When we saw the chance to give back, our members jumped at the opportunity.”

“Kentucky Bourbon is a community that spans throughout the Bluegrass State and from whiskey bars in Sidney to the collectors in Manitoba," adds Minnick. "Bourbon lovers everywhere want to help rebuild Western Kentucky with our hands, hearts and wallets. 

“Private collectors, Kentucky distillers, out-of-state brands and celebrities donated rare auction items that will surely break records. The Bourbon community believes in the Commonwealth's bond of Bourbon and knows it can bring us together to rebuild.”

Offerings include more than 20 private barrel experiences, where Bourbon enthusiasts can personally taste and select their own one-of-a-kind barrel under the tutelage of the brand’s Master Distiller. Each barrel usually yields 150-200 bottles depending on age and proof.

Whiskey aficionados with The Bourbon Crusaders have raided their collections and donated dozens of limited edition and single barrel expressions of Bourbon, rye and Scotch whiskies. Distillers also have donated rare bottles that disappeared from retailer’s shelves long ago.

Minnick, a best-selling author and expert on all things Bourbon, utilized his renowned distilling and celebrity connections to reap a treasure trove of bottles, private experiences and memorabilia to fulfill any whiskey lover’s dream. 

On the hospitality side, companies along the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour have donated overnight stays at charming bed and breakfast stops, transportation and tourism packages, a six-foot tall Christmas tree made out of barrel staves and much more.

In addition to the auction, there will be a dedicated “buy it now” section where people can purchase bottles and other items without breaking the bank. Due to COVID and space restrictions, the live auction is not open to the public. Items will be available for viewing online and streaming. 

Organizers have been humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of distillers and partners from outside Kentucky that offered assistance and items for the auction. Kentucky distillers also are sending pallets of hand sanitizer to Western Kentucky that remain from COVID relief efforts. 

“The outpouring has been enormous,” Sargent said. “We immediately began receiving texts and calls throughout Kentucky and from coast to coast from our members, friends and partners in the national Bourbon community who knew that we could help them help Kentuckians.”

Gregory said he began making calls to distillers early Saturday morning when daylight gave way to the devastation of the tornados. Not one distiller turned down his request to donate barrels or bottles to the cause.

“I really didn’t have to ask,” he said. “They knew why I was calling and they were ready to help in any way. It could have been any of their communities or families or colleagues. That’s Bourbon. That’s the Kentucky spirit shining through. We’re all about taking care of each other.

“After all, Bourbon is America’s spirit and Kentucky is its birthplace. When Kentucky hurts, we hurt, and that’s why we’re doing this. Thank you to everyone who is helping in the recovery and rebuilding efforts, and please continue praying for our beloved Commonwealth and its people.”

For complete information on the event, visit kybourbon.com/industry-news/bourbon-community-comes-together-to-benefit-western-kentucky.

ABOUT FRED MINNICK:

Minnick continuously revives the age-old traditions and cultures of Bourbon and spirits through his media empire which includes the Bourbon Pursuit Podcast, DASH Radio's "Minnick Minute” show and his Hermes Creative Awards Platinum-winning Podcast The Fred Minnick Show (PodcastOne), which features interviews with musicians, athletes and other celebrities including Peyton Manning, Ludacris, Lindsay Ell, Terry Bradshaw, Ashley McBryde and more. Minnick, a Louisville, KY-based father of two, is also an avid music fan, curating his annual Bourbon and Beyond festival which has welcomed acts like Lynn Kravitz, John Mayer and Stevie Nicks to its stages. He has authored several books including Wall Street Journal best-seller Bourbon Curious.

ABOUT KDA:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured economic engine. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at kybourbon.com and kybourbontrail.com.

ABOUT THE BOURBON CRUSADERS:

The Bourbon Crusaders are focused on leveraging our collective passion for Bourbon for a range of charitable purposes. Our 30 members represent a vast array of backgrounds, geographical locations, skills and relationships in the whiskey universe. Working together, alongside the generosity of our industry partners, we are honored to have our name associated with some of the most successful and memorable Kentucky charity events in recent history. 

Thanks to our annual distillery partners, the greater Bourbon industry, philanthropic individuals, and the amazing attendees of our events, we have raised almost $1,000,000 over the past four years for a variety of charities. Each of our lead partners trusted this small group in the name of doing good, and we are eternally grateful for those opportunities. Thanks to these special people for sharing our vision, we are able to continue raising money for those in need well into the future.