Bourbon-Adjacent Charity News

Yesterday, I had a really severe mental health crisis due to stressors beyond my control. And it precluded me from doing my regularly scheduled tasting for tonight’s review. So instead, I’m passing along a few “Bourbon-Adjacent” things that may be of interest to the Bourbon lover.

Bourbon with HeART is back with another art exhibit in Louisville. You’ll need to hurry thought if you want to visit as it ends with the Derby.

Bourbon with HeART Presents World's First Bourbon Barrel Bow Tie Art Exhibit “Bowtied Together” will showcase wooden bowties painted by Kentucky artists, starting April 1

[Louisville, Ky – March 15, 2023] – Today, Bourbon with HeART, Kentucky’s first and only arts-focused bourbon charity, announced its newest art exhibit, “Bowtied Together.” The exhibit will take place at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville (140 N Fourth St.) and will showcase 50 wooden bowties, hand-carved out of bourbon barrels and transformed into wearable art by 25 Kentucky-area artists.

Bourbon with HeART, founded by Morgan Hancock, prides itself on tying together artists from various backgrounds and areas of expertise to create works that are as unique as the artists who design them. Like the perfect bourbon pairing, “Bowtied Together” takes wooden bowties, hand-carved out of old bourbon barrels by US Military veterans from Cruise Customs, and marries them with local artists to create beautiful art for many to enjoy.

"We're thrilled to showcase the talent of our local artists and honor the service of our veterans with this unique exhibit," said Hancock, a US Army Veteran herself. "Our goal is to use the influence and popularity of bourbon to raise funds, awareness, and education around the local art community. We're committed to providing better access and first-class arts experiences to every person in Kentucky."

Cruise Customs provides bourbon barrel products carved by veterans. Hancock explained, "As a veteran, I appreciate the work Cruise Customs does of providing therapy through this craft for those suffering from PTSD. I connect with their mission - they share that bourbon barrels once had a great purpose. Veterans once had a great purpose. Through this work they are helping them find a new one."

The exhibit will open on April 1 at the Galt House, the official hotel of the Kentucky Derby, and will run throughout the city’s famous Derby season. Each of the 25 artists was given two bowties to transform. The bowties were purchased via sponsorships from local businesses. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for which Morgan Hancock was named “Visionary of the Year” for 2023. Attendees will also be invited to vote for their favorite bowtie design. The winning artist will be awarded a cash prize along with a donation to the charity of their choice.

For more information on Bourbon with HeART and the "Bowtied Together" exhibit, visit www.bourbonwithheart.org.

Want some hard-to-find bourbon while benefiting Habitat For Humanity? Well, we’ve got a couple of bourbon raffles being held by Kentucky Chapters.

Bourbon Build Fundraiser: Pappy Madness 2023 (Drawing May 5, 2023 at 10am CST)

The first of the Habitat for Humanity Bourbon Raffles is being held by Habitat for Humanity, Pennyrile Region. Here is what they have to say about it:

“We are an affiliate in West Kentucky that was hit by the tornado in December 2021.  We currently are working with over 20 families in Dawson Springs, KY to help rebuild new housing for them and their families.  Our bourbon raffle is a bit different than many others that are going in that we have the typical Pappy lineup along with some vintage bottles added in as well.  This raffle goes a long way to help support those efforts.”

Here is what you could win:

  • Grand Prize: 9 Bottle Collection- Three vintage bottles (16 Yr Van Winkle Pot Stilled, 10 Yr Old Rip Van Winkle, 4 Yr Old Rip) as well as a 23 Yr Pappy Van Winkle, 20 Year Pappy Van Winkle, 15 Yr Pappy Van Winkle, 13 Yr Wan Winkle Rye, 12 Yr Van Winkle, 10 Yr Old Rip Van Winkle

  • 2nd Prize: 15 Year Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, 12 Yr Van Winkle, 10 Yr Old Rip Van Winkle

  • 3rd Prize: 15 Year Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, 12 Yr Van Winkle, 10 Yr Old Rip Van Winkle

Check them out at: www.pennyrilehabitat.org/bourbonraffle

2023 Bourbon to Build Raffle (in support of Habitat for Humanity Bowling Green/Warren County)

We build houses, and sometimes we raffle bourbon. Kentucky has a long and rich history of bourbon production, and it has become highly collectible and sought after. Our bourbon raffles help us provide affordable housing for those in need. We hope folks enjoy having a chance at winning these bottles, and we thank any and all who support our work. 

Our 2023 Bourbon to Build Raffle is our largest raffle to date, including ten prize packages, and will run from April 1st through May 30th. 

HFHBGWC receives grants and donations, but it’s not enough to cover our community's needs. Building, on average, ten new homes a year, these fundraisers are very helpful in keeping our mission going. HFHBGWC bourbon raffles are our most successful fundraiser and help us provide affordable housing for those who would otherwise not attain it. We like to think bourbon collectors rest easy knowing that their raffle purchase makes a difference in the lives of families we serve, whether they win a bottle or not.

Raffle details in short:

Ticket(s) Cost: $100.00

Raffle dates/Drawing Info: Running April 1st - May 30th. Tickets will stop being sold at 10:00 AM CST on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023. There will be a LIVE drawing held on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023, at 12:00 PM CST at Habitat for Humanity of Bowling Green/Warren County, Inc., located at 804 Center Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101. You DO NOT need to be present to win. Drawing to be conducted live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HabitatBG - winners will be announced at that time; there will be ten winners.

I hope that you will consider checking out all of the above. And if you want to support the work going on here at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or buying some merch at BourbonGuyGifts.com.