FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — This holiday season, bourbon enthusiasts and collectors will have a unique opportunity to bid on rare and hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon through the state’s inaugural online auction of confiscated alcohol.
The auction features an impressive selection of whiskeys, including two bottles of the sought-after Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold presented in a box with Japanese markings, and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength from 2011. According to Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, “This is a really good auction… There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.”
The event is made possible by a new Kentucky law that permits the auctioning of alcohol confiscated during closed criminal investigations by the state’s alcoholic beverage control agency. Gregory emphasized the significance of this change, as previously, such spirits were often destroyed. “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” he remarked.
Online bidding kicks off on Wednesday and will wrap up at midnight on December 11. Proceeds from the auction will support programs aimed at promoting responsible alcohol consumption among adults and raising awareness among youths about alcohol use.
The auction will consist of 32 bottles in total, featuring a “stock the bar” bundle that includes a diverse selection of wines, vodka, rum, and whiskey. However, the main attractions are undoubtedly the rare bourbons, which are particularly prized by collectors.
Notably, items like Blanton’s Gold and Four Roses 2011 are extremely difficult to find in retail stores, making this auction an exciting event for enthusiasts. The collection will also include other notable brands, such as E.H. Taylor bourbon, Eagle Rare (10 years), Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, and an Old Forester gift set, among others.
A link to participate in the online auction can be found at ABC.ky.gov. It’s important to note that auction items cannot be shipped; winning bidders will need to collect their purchases in Frankfort, as specified by state regulations.
Looking ahead, Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, expressed anticipation for the auction’s response and mentioned plans for additional auctions in 2025. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction,” she stated.
Kentucky distillers, responsible for producing a remarkable 95% of the world’s bourbon supply, assure that this auction will be a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon lovers.
