KDA And WW&W Come Together To Support Team Kentucky Fund

For Immediate Release – June 5, 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced its collaboration with Westport Whiskey & Wine for a special sale of a limited number of their one-of-a-kind barrel selections from their exclusive Bourbon Affair Release Series to raise money for Kentuckians that have been financially impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Created in 2014 by the KDA, the Kentucky Bourbon Affair each year welcomes thousands of Bourbon aficionados, enthusiasts and visitors from around the world to the Commonwealth for a week of exclusive experiences, rare tastings and culinary events at the world’s most famous distilleries.

The annual week-long Bourbon fantasy camp – the only Bourbon event that is hosted by the legendary distilleries themselves – was forced to cancel this year due to the unprecedented circumstances and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, in the spirit of offering unique experiences, the KDA has donated from its library a select few of their BAR Series bottles to be auctioned to benefit the relief efforts for those affected by the pandemic here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Proceeds from the sale go to the Team Kentucky Fund, which provides assistance to Kentuckians who have been severely financially impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

More information about the Team Kentucky fund can be found on their website: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/PPC/KYCOVID-19Donate. 

In 2018, the KBA began releasing an exclusive series of single barrel selections to be auctioned for charity. The Bourbon Affair Release or BAR Series showcases the finest whiskey and Kentucky Bourbon’s legendary spirit of collaboration by bringing together industry icons to choose exceptional barrels of each other’s whiskey. It’s one heck of a good time for a great cause.

KDA BAR SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

In 2018, the BAR 18 – Legends’ Select Series single barrel selections were chosen by a panel of Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Legends who embarked on a road trip across the Commonwealth to select barrels at Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Willett, and Wild Turkey distilleries.  These barrels were bottled to be released exclusively at the 2018 Kentucky Bourbon Affair. The BAR 18 panel included:

• Jimmy Russell, Wild Turkey (HOF Class of 2001)
• Chris Morris, Brown-Forman (HOF Class of 2017)
• Fred Noe, Jim Beam (HOF Class of 2013)
• Steve Nally, Bardstown Bourbon Company (HOF Class of 2007)
• Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey (HOF Class of 2010)

For this Auction from BAR 18 – Legends’ Select Series: Knob Creek Rye Single Barrel

In 2019, the BAR 19 – Superfecta series featured four exclusive single barrel releases chosen by a panel of renowned Kentucky distillers who hosted each other at their respective distilleries to collaborate on these one-of-a-kind barrel selections.  The BAR 19 selection panel included:

• Chris Morris, Master Distiller, Brown-Forman
• Jackie Zykan, Master Taster, Old Forester
• Shane Baker, Co-founder + Master Distiller, Wilderness Trail Distillery
• Dr. Pat Heist, Co-founder + Chief Scientific Officer, Wilderness Trail Distillery
• Brent Elliott, Master Distiller, Four Roses
• Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill Distillery

For this Auction from BAR 19 – Superfecta Series:

• • Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection Barrel Strength 9 year
  • Elijah Craig Small Batch Single Barrel 9 year
  • Wilderness Trail Settlers Select, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 

For 2020 there are a few additional bottles donated by KDA Members that will also be offered for this auction.  The list includes:

• • Bardstown Bourbon Company, Copper & Kings Collaboration
  • Michter’s, 10-year Rye
  • Michter’s, 10-year Bourbon
  • Michter’s, Toasted Rye Whiskey
  • Michter’s, Toasted Sour Mash Whiskey
  • Michter’s, Barrel Strength Bourbon
  • Selections from Wild Turkey and Lux Row

AUCTION DETAILS

All auction items can be found at https://www.32auctions.com/kdateamkywww.

The auction opens on Friday, June 5, at 3:00 PM and closes on Wednesday, June 10, at 8:00 PM. Items will ready for pick up beginning at 10 AM on Thursday, June 11, until 8 PM Friday, June 12, during store hours.  Items not secured either by credit card or actually picked up will be offered to the next highest bidder.

ABOUT KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information about joining the KDA’s distilling family, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more. 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and BOURBON WITHOUT BORDERS® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. 

#MakeItMemorable – Enjoy Responsibly.

ABOUT WESTPORT WHISKEY & WINE

Officially opened on June 12, 2008 in Westport Village, Westport Whiskey & Wine is the ultimate local choice for hard-to-find wines, the finest whiskies, the best selection of tequila, and an excellent collection of craft and imported beers. This retail experience is one that allows you to taste and learn through many tastings with winemakers, master distillers and fellow enthusiasts because it has both a bar and a retail package license. With an inventory of more than 1400 wines and a premium selection of spirits, the focus is on helping customers explore and appreciate wines and spirits from around the world at many different price points.

Westport Whiskey & Wine is located in the Westport Village shopping center at 1115 Herr Lane, Suite 101. Current hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM – 8 PM, Sundays from 1 – 5 PM. More about regularly scheduled tastings in The Tasting Room Open can be found online at www.westportwhiskeyandwine.com or by calling 502-708-1313.

Westport Whiskey & Wine has been a supporting sponsor of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® for over five years. We have partnered with the KDA to assist in raising funds for Covid-19 relief through Team Kentucky. All of the BAR bottles offered are great examples of TEAM spirit as they were selected by various members of KDA member distilleries. And there are some special hand-signed bottles from Michter’s and Bardstown Bourbon Company that are high-demand and highly sought after selections, too. ALL BIDDERS MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO PARTICIPATE.