As floods continue to ravage eastern Kentucky, one of the state’s biggest industries — bourbon — is stepping up to help.
Wild Turkey posted this announcement on their Instagram on Tuesday: “Our hearts are with all those affected by the severe weather and flooding in Eastern Kentucky. We are donating $50,000 to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, as well as some rare Wild Turkey bourbon-related items and experiences to the Kentucky Distillers Association’s relief auction — with proceeds going directly to affected communities.”
The online auction will be held Aug. 11-21. Auction items will include “rare bottles signed by [Wild Turkey] master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell and a private barrel experience with Eddie.” More information on the auction and, most likely, other distillers getting involved will be available soon (a working link to the auction was not available at press time, but a prior auction was held here.)
This benefit is a follow-up to a December 2021 auction related to deadly tornadoes in western Kentucky. At that online event, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Bourbon Crusaders and whiskey expert Fred Minnick raised $3.4 million for relief efforts.
Another way to contribute is via the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, which is set up by the state government. According to recent reports, at least 37 people have died from the flooding and hundreds are missing across 13 counties.
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