Maker’s Mark releasing unique bourbon. There’s only one place in Kentucky to get it
Last year, Maker’s Mark released a unique bourbon to help bartenders and restaurant workers hurt by the COVID pandemic.
It was such a hit, the Kentucky distillery is bringing it back.
While Maker’s Mark has done many charitable bottle releases over the decades, they always involved special labels. The whisky inside always stayed the same. But this release is different: The bourbon inside is a one-time-only blend.
Called the CommUNITY Batch, this limited release is available only at special tasting events. And there’s only one in Kentucky, in Louisville on Nov. 30.
Made in partnership with the LEE Initiative, the 2021 CommUNITY Batch combines private selection recipes from more than 40 whisky clubs from across the U.S. and one in the United Kingdom.
Last year’s version was expected to raise about half a million; instead it raised $2.2 million for industry programs.
Again this year 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit The LEE (Let’s Empower Employment) Initiative in its mission to support trade and hospitality partners around the country and create a more diverse and equitable restaurant industry, according to a news release.
“Our second bottling of CommUNITY Batch Bourbon with Maker’s Mark is monumental because, like any community, it takes time to build trust, loyalty and kinship,” said Edward Lee, James Beard Award-winning author, restaurateur, chef and founder of the LEE Initiative. “We have that with Maker’s Mark, and we are building that relationship with our many supporters who love to follow our evolving programs at The LEE Initiative while drinking amazing bourbon along the journey.”
How to get a bottle of Maker’s Mark CommUNITY Batch
Beginning on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 30, the Maker’s Mark CommUNITY Batch Bourbon will be available at The LEE Initiative events in cities where Maker’s Mark Private Selection partners are located. Suggested donations begin at $70 and vary by event, with additional details available at LEEInitiative.org.
In Kentucky, the only restaurant participating is 610 Magnolia in Louisville. The cost is $100 per ticket, which includes a BBQ box lunch for two, prepared by current Women Culinary and Spirits Program mentees, and one bottle of Maker’s Mark CommUNITY Batch 2021. Ticketholders can select the time they would like to pick up their meal between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 613 W. Magnolia Avenue (across the street from 610 Magnolia). Additional bottles are available as add-ons for $70 each.
Maker’s Mark created the whisky by creating individual barrels of Private Selection Bourbon using the clubs’ recipes. Then the whisky from the barrels was blended and filled back into the barrels to rest for an additional five weeks to properly integrate.
The result is 107.7 proof and has notes of cherry and subtle wood spice, according to the tasting notes.
This story was originally published November 24, 2021 at 10:42 AM.
