Kroger Ultimate Bourbon Auction is back with Pappy, Weller, Maker’s Mark; How to enter
Kroger is bringing back its online bourbon auction and this year’s version is barrel-proof, with more rare bourbon, including Pappy Van Winkle and O.F.C Vintage 1995.
The Ultimate Bourbon Auction to End Hunger goes live 9 a.m. on Nov. 10. It will end at 9 p.m. on Nov. 21 and it’s all online at ultimatebourbonauction.com. Bidding is open to anyone over 21, anywhere.
Last year’s auction raised nearly $200,000 for God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington and Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville. This year Kroger is going for $250,000 and to get there they’ve included bottles so rare, they are not available anywhere.
There are 44 lots of bourbon, including the six-bottle 2021 Pappy Van Winkle Collection, the four-bottle 2021 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the eight-bottle Blanton’s Letter Set collection available in two sizes and lots more from Four Roses, 1792, Beam, Elijah Craig, Heaven Hill, Jack Daniel’s, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Rabbit Hole, Russell’s Reserve, Weller, Willett, Old Forester, King of Kentucky, Angel’s Envy, Peyton Manning-autographed Sweetens Cove, Elmer T. Lee, Orphan Barrel, Basil Hayden and more.
The highest starting bid for bourbon in the lineup is set for a single bottle of Buffalo Trace O.F.C. Vintage 1995 expression, at $4,000.
The auction also includes “experiences” such as tours and chances to select your own private barrel at several distilleries. Want to select a barrel of W.M. Tarr bourbon with University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops? Minimum bid on that one is $5,000.
There also are raffles for a single bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year and for E.H. Taylor Jr. Warehouse C, with only 500 tickets available for $100 each.
Kroger created the online version of its popular auction last year during the COVID pandemic. Before the pandemic, Kroger held an in-person fundraiser in Louisville that included an auction of special bourbons.
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
