Buffalo Trace Auctions Pappy Van Winkle, Weller Millennium, Blanton’s and More for Kentucky Flood Relief

(Photo: Buffalo Trace)

Nearly two months have passed since a tornado outbreak in Kentucky devastated the state with record-high floods previously unseen since 1978. As the community slowly but surely reclaims its footing, the famed Buffalo Trace Distillery is auctioning some of its most elusive bourbons to support recovery efforts.

The distillery has partnered with e-commerce platform BlockBar to auction a who’s-who of “unicorn” bottles — the kinds of bourbons that regularly sell for over six figures in the lucrative secondary market. Every dollar from the fundraiser, dubbed Pour it Forward for Kentucky, will directly benefit the American Red Cross and the Franklin County Flood Relief Fund held at the Blue Grass Community Foundation.

Among the most sought-after bottles up for grabs is a collection of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons aged 10, 12, 13, 15, 20 and 23 years. The lowest age statement of the bunch typically retails for around $1,000; the coveted 23-year can auction for upwards of $50,000. Other gems include the 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the Distillery Prohibition Collection #2, Eagle Rare 25 and Weller Millennium.

The auction also includes a handful of tailored experiences. For an estimated price of $42,500, bidders have the chance to win a trip to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in which they’ll thieve, taste and select a private barrel of Blanton’s Gold. If prestige television is up your alley, the auction is offering a behind-the-scenes tour of the 101 Studios set in Fort Worth, Texas, famous for its roster of Taylor Sheridan-helmed shows like “Yellowstone” and “1923.” For interior decorators, there’s an extravagant coffee table made from a former Double Eagle Very Rare barrel.

The fundraiser is scheduled to run through 10 a.m. on June 5. A starting bid of $100 is required for each lot in the auction, found here.

“The recent spring storms have had a profound impact on communities across Kentucky and, especially in times like these, it’s essential that we rally people to support our neighbours in need,” Jake Wenz, president and CEO of Sazerac, said in a news release.

In an aerial view, the flooded Buffalo Trace Distillery is seen on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

The Buffalo Trace Distillery was forced to close its doors at the beginning of April after flooding crested at the nearby Frankfort Lock, located minutes away from the facility. Waters reached a high of 48.27 feet, just a few inches shy of a 48.5-foot record set in 1978. In one widely shared image, the Buffalo Trace gift shop was seen submerged in at least a foot of opaque water. Other photos showed bourbon barrels floating in the nearby floodwaters as kayakers explored the wreckage.

The distillery has since reopened its doors thanks to the efforts of cleanup teams, engineers and restoration experts.

“We are grateful to Buffalo Trace for its support in times of disaster. Its partnership enables us to give help and hope to hundreds of families who were affected by the deadly tornado in Southern Kentucky and the severe April floods,” Nadine McCrindle, CEO of the Red Cross Kentucky Region, added. “Their commitment to helping individuals and families across the commonwealth recover after these devastating disasters allows us to support their road to recovery.”