Here is an incredible outpouring of love and support.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, Bourbon Crusaders, and Bourbon curator Fred Minnick banned together in the wake of the devasting Tornadoes on December 11th to support Kentucky rebuilding efforts by creating perhaps the mother of all online whiskey auctions, and it’s happening right now.

The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit is taking bids on an incredible collection of tour packages, barrel picks, and rare bottles. A 1971 Old Forester President’s Choice Single Barrel, a 2009 Old Rip Van Winkle 23 Year Decanter, and a tour and tasting with NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson at Green River Distillery are a few examples. It’s a rare opportunity to score a once-in-a-lifetime bottle or experience while helping a crucial cause.

“Kentuckians are hurting,” KDA President Eric Gregory explains. “They’ve lost their homes, loved ones, and their livelihoods. It’s our obligation as a signature industry – and duty as fellow Kentuckians – to help each other in times of crisis.”

The response from the spirits community has been incredible. The online auction is live now and runs until Tuesday, Dec. 21st, at 10 p.m. All auction proceeds go to Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

Click below to check out the auction, or visit HERE to make a direct donation.

Spirits writers, marketers and designers are among the most influential forces in the spirits industry. Their opinions, ideas and creative talents inform and influence consumer perceptions and buying decisions. The John Barleycorn Society was started by a group of spirits journalists seeking to honor excellence in all facets of the industry. The journalists spent several years creating a comprehensive competition that became the John Barleycorn Awards. An elite team of authoritative and influential spirits journalists was selected to administer the flagship component of the Awards, a blind tasting competition destined to become the preeminent arbitrator of spirits taste, quality and character.