Bourbon rallies for Ky. tornado victims: $1 million donation, rare spirits auction
Kentucky distilleries and bourbon fans have organized a “bottle lift” to raise money for Western Kentucky tornado relief.
Whiskey expert Fred Minnick, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and a group called The Bourbon Crusaders spearheaded a drive to round up once-in-a-lifetime items and donations from private collectors. The items will be auctioned at kybourbonbenefit.com, which goes live at 5 p.m. Dec. 16.
The auction will run through 10 p.m. Dec. 21. In addition to the online auction, a live-streamed auction of rare and vintage spirits and more will be conducted Dec. 21 beginning at 7 p.m.
All proceeds from the auction will go to the state’s official Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the tornadoes and severe storms that hit Western Kentucky Dec. 11.
Offerings include more than 20 private barrel experiences as well as rare bottles of bourbon, rye and scotch.
Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark donating $1 million, bourbon
Meanwhile, Beam Suntory, the parent company of Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, announced it has pledged $1 million to organizations providing tornado relief for Western Kentucky and other states.
“Our sincerest sympathies go out to all who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. Kentucky is the heart and soul of our company, and Suntory Group is committed to supporting Kentucky communities as they recover from this crisis in the spirit of our fundamental value of giving back to society,” said Tak Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings, in the release.
“The quick response to this heartbreaking tragedy by first responders, relief organizations, government agencies and neighbors helping neighbors has been inspiring,” said Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi in a statement. “While our facilities and teams were spared the worst of this catastrophe, we stand with our neighbors and offer this support on behalf of the more than 1,200 people of Beam Suntory in Kentucky.”
The donation will be divided equally between the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund established by Beshear and the American Red Cross’s disaster relief fund. Beam Suntory also will match personal donations made by its U.S. employees to relief organizations.
Also, some employees are using paid days, their Beam Suntory Cares Days, to volunteer in recovery efforts.
And the company donated single-barrel bourbons from Maker’s Mark and from Knob Creek to the charity auction.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 11:28 AM.
