LOUISVILLE, KY (February 11, 2025) – Sazerac Company today announces it will host a first of its kind fundraiser in support of California wildfire relief efforts, offering consumers the chance to purchase three ultra-rare prize packages featuring some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most sought-after bourbons. One hundred percent of funds raised through Sazerac’s California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser will go toward two non-profit organizations committed to ongoing relief efforts in the state: World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with restaurant and food truck partners in Southern California to provide meals to those in need; and Another Round Another Rally, which is collecting funds for real-time financial support for hospitality workers impacted by the wildfires.
“Our hearts break for those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires that have swept across California this year,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “The fires have caused immense destruction, and the toll on the Los Angeles community is profound. Through this program we hope, humbly, to offer a small bit of aid to World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally as they continue their much-needed support of the California community during this difficult time.”
Offerings available through the Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser include:
Auction: The First-Ever Single Barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old
For the first time in history, a single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old will be available for purchase. Hand-selected from the heart of the Buffalo Trace Distillery aging warehouses, this exceptional barrel is expected to yield approximately 125 bottles of bourbon.
Auction Details:
- Starting Bid: $10,000
- Bid Increments: $1,000
- No Limit on Bids
- Winner’s Prize: A monetary amount equal to the value of the lot, which may be used to purchase the bottles yielded from the barrel, as well as the empty barrel.
- Proceeds Benefit: World Central Kitchen (WCK) & Another Round Another Rally (ARAR)
- Bid Now: www.sazeracgivesback.com
Sweepstakes 1: Complete Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection
This rare, limited-edition Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection includes six highly sought-after bourbons, representing a tradition of craftsmanship dating back to the late 1800s:
- Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year
Sweepstakes Details:
- Entry: One entry per $50 donation
- No Entry Cap: Donate as much as you like
- Winner’s Prize: A monetary amount equal to the value of the bottle set, which may be used to purchase the collection
- Proceeds Benefit: World Central Kitchen (WCK)
- Enter Now: www.sazeracgivesback.com
Sweepstakes 2: Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Ultra-Rare Eagle Rare 25
Eagle Rare 25 is the oldest expression ever released from the Eagle Rare portfolio. Aged in Warehouse P, this bourbon defies expectations of ultra-aged whiskey with its smooth, complex flavor profile.
Sweepstakes Details:
- Entry: One entry per $50 donation
- No Entry Cap: Donate as much as you like
- Winner’s Prize: A monetary amount equal to the value of the bottle, which may be used to purchase Eagle Rare 25
- Proceeds Benefit: Another Round Another Rally (ARAR)
- Enter Now: www.sazeracgivesback.com
Supporting California Wildfire Relief Efforts
The wildfires have burned over 50,000 acres, destroying 16,000+ structures and tragically claiming 28 lives. WCK and ARAR have been on the frontlines providing immediate relief:
- World Central Kitchen (WCK) has partnered with 80+ restaurants and food trucks to provide over 600,000 hot meals to affected families and first responders across Southern California.
- Another Round Another Rally (ARAR) has distributed over $100,000 in financial assistance to bar and restaurant workers who lost businesses and income due to the fires.
Join the Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser
By participating in the Pappy Van Winkle auction or the two sweepstakes, you can directly support those impacted by the wildfires while securing a piece of bourbon history.
👉 Bid or Donate Now: www.sazeracgivesback.com
The Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser begins on Tuesday, February 11 at 12pm noon EST. To enter and make a donation, and to view the full official rules, visit www.sazeracgivesback.com. All entries must be received by 11:59PM EST on Sunday, February 23. One winner for each prize package will be randomly drawn and notified via phone and email the week of March 3.
About Sazerac Company
With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world.
Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.
Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.
To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.
About World Central Kitchen
Founded in 2010 by Chef Joseì Andreìs, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 450 million nourishing meals around the world.
When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, and emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need.
We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at wck.org.
About Another Round Another Rally
Another Round Another Rally is a nonprofit financial and educational resource for the hospitality industry. They provide professional development resources and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of historically excluded voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship.
*To win the available online silent auction, you must be the highest bidder at the end of the registration period. **No purchase or donation necessary to enter or win. Purchasing a product will not improve your chances of winning. Must be legal resident of 50 U.S. or D.C, excluding NY, age 21 or older. Registration begins at 12:00pm ET 2/11/2025 and ends at 11:59pm ET 2/23/2025. To enter, and for complete official rules including eligibility, prize descriptions and ARV, visit www.SazeracGivesBack.com. Odds of winning one of the available sweepstakes are based upon number of eligible entries received to each sweepstakes. No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. SPONSOR: Sazerac Company, Inc., Louisville, KY.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.