FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation, the Bourbon Crusaders charitable group and Bourbon curator Fred Minnick are becoming a member of forces once more, this time to assist restoration and rebuilding efforts from the catastrophic flooding in Japanese Kentucky.
The Kentucky Bourbon Profit will characteristic a web based public sale of unique personal barrel choice experiences, uncommon and classic spirits, and distinctive tasting and tourism choices from Kentucky’s signature distilling trade and hospitality and charitable companions.
“Kentucky’s Bourbon trade was there for our Western Kentucky households following the tornadoes, making the one largest donation to that reduction fund – and now I’m proud to see this trade stepping up as soon as once more to assist our Japanese Kentucky households affected by the devastating flooding,” Gov. Andy Beshear stated.
“I do know it will make an incredible impression for our folks and I’m grateful for the continued assist.”
The partnership raised about $3.4 million in December throughout the same public sale to assist ease struggling and restore hope for residents of Western Kentucky whose communities had been ravaged by a twister outbreak.
“We prayed that we’d by no means need to get this group collectively once more within the face of catastrophe, however our associates, households and neighbors in Japanese Kentucky are braving via unspeakable tragedy and devastation,” KDA President Eric Gregory stated. “It’s our obligation as a signature trade to assist.
“We had been so impressed and humbled by the outpouring of assist for Western Kentucky, and we hope that Bourbon aficionados and bidders present the identical unparalleled generosity for the 1000’s of Japanese Kentucky residents who desperately want our help.”
The web public sale will start Thursday, Aug. 11, at midday EST and run till Sunday, Aug. 21, at 11 p.m. EST. Go to www.kybourbonbenefit.com to view public sale objects and bid. Westport Whiskey & Wine in Louisville is coordinating assortment and distribution of donated objects.
All proceeds will go on to the state’s official Crew Japanese Kentucky Flood Aid Fund to help these impacted by flooding. The web site to study extra or make a donation is https://safe.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief.
RJ Sargent, President of The Bourbon Crusaders, stated, “The core objective of the Bourbon Crusaders is to make a distinction within the lives of others, and as soon as once more the state we love a lot wants our assist.
“When the tornadoes hit Western Kentucky final yr, we joined the KDA and Fred Minnick to assist increase over $3 million from our beneficiant supporters. Now with the current flood catastrophe, many extra Kentuckians have had their lives upended. We’re becoming a member of forces once more and hope our associates will step up, too. The Bourbon group sticks collectively.”
Minnick stated, “I want we didn’t have to do that. However the Bourbon group deeply feels for his or her neighbors in Japanese Kentucky, as we did for the Western Kentucky twister victims, and we’ll do every part inside our energy to ease the scenario for the flood survivors.
“That is about our associates, household and neighbors. We should be there for them.”
Chris Zaborowski, proprietor of Westport Whiskey & Wine, stated, “We had been heartbroken to see the devastation dropped at Japanese Kentucky with the current flooding. We knew we needed to group up with the KDA once more to assist increase the much-needed funds for our fellow Kentuckians.”
Gregory stated many KDA members are as soon as once more providing personal barrel experiences the place Bourbon lovers can personally style and choose their very own one-of-a-kind barrel. Every barrel often yields 150-200 bottles relying on age and proof.
Whiskey aficionados with the Bourbon Crusaders are raiding their collections and donating dozens of restricted version and single barrel expressions of Bourbon, rye and Scotch whiskies. Distillers are also donating uncommon bottles that disappeared from retailer’s cabinets way back.
Minnick, a best-selling writer and knowledgeable on all issues Bourbon, is utilizing his famend distilling and superstar connections to reap a treasure trove of bottles, personal experiences and memorabilia to satisfy any whiskey lover’s dream.
Kentucky distillers are also sending tanker vans and totes of contemporary water to Japanese Kentucky, together with contributing 1000’s of {dollars} to organizations and reduction funds concerned within the cleanup and restoration.
“We deeply recognize the assist of all our member distilleries and associates with the Bourbon Crusaders, Fred Minnick and the group at Westport Whiskey & Wine for his or her partnership in serving to our fellow Kentuckians,” Gregory stated.
“Bourbon is America’s native spirit and Kentucky is its birthplace. It’s our honor and obligation to step up and assist our fellow Kentuckians in occasions of want. Thanks to everybody who helps within the restoration and rebuilding efforts, and please proceed praying for our beloved Commonwealth and its folks.”
In regards to the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation
Based in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits trade. Its numerous and rising membership produces 90% of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, world manufacturers to rising micro distilleries which might be fostering the subsequent technology of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured financial engine. Member advantages embody media relations, worldwide commerce growth, personal sampling occasions, technical help, financial growth assist, networking, authorized protection, advertising methods, governmental and regulatory advocacy and progressive tourism experiences via the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Path® and Kentucky Bourbon Path Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership coverage, champions a powerful dedication to the accountable and average consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage ingesting and drunk driving. Be taught extra at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.
