Kentucky priest auctioning rare bourbons signed by Pope Francis, Tom Brady
First Father Jim Sichko took the pope a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. Then he took the pontiff a Willett Distillery barrel pick; now the Kentucky priest is turning rare special bourbon bottles into a way to help needy people and animals.
Sichko, a Papal Missionary of Mercy and Diocesan Evangelist who has incorporated Kentucky into his papal gifts many times, gave Pope Francis some special hand-selected barrel picks from Willett Distillery in Bardstown earlier this year.
Now, two bottles from the distillery, signed by Pope Francis, will be listed in Sotheby’s New York’s rare spirits auction.
“Bringing these exceptional Willett Distillery bottles to market is a privilege and a unique moment in collecting,” said Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s whiskey specialist, in a statement. “Each bottle embodies a blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and spirituality that transcends the typical collector’s item, making them especially meaningful additions for those who value both the artistry of fine spirits and the spirit of giving.”
Sichko said in an interview that he felt some trepidation when he asked for the signatures. “The Holy Father doesn’t usually autograph things,” Sichko said. He said he’d only found one other instance of a baseball being signed by the pope that sold for more than $17,000.
“I thought, some good old Kentucky brown water should go for more than that,” Sichko said.
He was a bit taken aback when the pontiff asked which bottle he could keep. Neither this time, Sichko had to explain.
Sichko delivered both bottles to Rome in May, when he also took Pope Francis a University of Kentucky men’s basketball jersey with “Pope” emblazoned on the back and the number 23, in honor of the university’s 23rd coach, Mark Pope.
The first bottle, which marked the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, has the Papal Coat of Arms as well as his signature. The bourbon inside is 10-year-old Willett, bottled at 132.6 proof, from a set of 149 bottles, adorned with the Papal Seal, from a hand-selected barrel. Many of these were auctioned last year for charity.
The second bottle, also No. 1 and signed, celebrates the 2025 Jubilee Year dubbed Pilgrims of Hope and features the official Jubilee sticker. The Willett bourbon inside is also 10 years old, bottled at 144.2 proof, from a set of fewer than 60 bottles.
There is also another Willett bottle, Sichko said, signed by former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, in the auction that will benefit the charities as well.
The bottles are expected to bring between $1,000 and $10,000 each, according to Sotheby’s. The Whisky & Whiskey auction begins online at sothebys.com on Nov. 20 and closes on Dec. 7 with a live auction.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit three charities in Kentucky and one in Texas: Maxwell Street Legal Immigration Clinic in Lexington, the Diocese of Lexington — Preaching/Giving Ministry of Fr. Jim Sichko, Paws 4 the Cause in Lexington and Southeast Texas Hospice in Orange, Texas.
Known for his charitable giving and public speaking, Sichko said that he sees the bourbon as a uniquely Kentucky way of embracing Pope Francis’ mission and those of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. “Every aspect of these charities follow his teaching,” Sichko said.
There also will be 15 bottles of the second rare Willett barrel pick for sale to the public. Five bottles will be sold through Ernie’s Spirits in Lexington and 10 bottles through Jillian’s Bourbon & Bling in Richmond, Ky. The stores will set the prices on the bottles, which do not benefit the charities.
This story was originally published November 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM.
