Rabbit Hole and Jefferson’s Reserve are the Stars of the Bourbon Mixer
Event Raised $36,000 for Homeless Veterans
Two of Louisville’s most spirited social groups, the Whisky Chicks and the Bourbon Brotherhood, joined forces once again to host the 3rd Annual Bourbon Mixer at the Gillespie on August 13th. The sold out event raised approximately $36,000 for the Coalition for the Homeless, more than double the amount that was raised last year. Guests were able to taste from the 13 distilleries and then vote for their favorite cocktails and bourbons. The new kid on the block, Rabbit Hole Distillery, swept the Fan Favorite Awards for their moonshine cocktails and bourbons. Jefferson’s Reserve took home the Bourbon Fundraising Champ Award for donating the top silent auction item – a trip to the Kentucky Artisan Distillery for the opportunity to work directly with the distiller to make and age their own half barrel of bourbon.
The Coalition estimates the funds raised by the Bourbon Mixer will help at least 36 homeless veterans transition from homelessness to having a home of their own. The money will be used to pay deposits and buy furniture and household goods for veterans’ new homes. After housing 838 homeless veterans last year through a program called Rx: Housing Veterans, Louisville providers are still continuing to house approximately 25 newly homeless veterans each month.
Bourbon fan and guest, Dr. Vaughn Payne said, “There is no other place in the world where you could attend an event like this to learn and experience so much about Kentucky’s bourbon industry and help our community end homelessness.”
The event featured 45 different types of spirits from 13 distilleries including Coopers’ Craft, Rabbit Hole, Angels Envy, Buffalo Trace, Bluegrass Distillers, Makers Mark, Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jim Beam, Jefferson’s Reserve, Woodford Reserve, and Bulleit Distillery.
The Bourbon Mixer is the brainchild of Linda Ruffenach and Bruce Corwin, founders of the local social groups Whisky Chicks and the Bourbon Brotherhood. To date, the Bourbon Mixer has raised more than $60,000 for local charities. The tentative date for the 2017 Bourbon Mixer is August 12th, which will benefit Best Buddies Kentucky.
This year’s generous sponsors and distilleries are listed below.
About the Whisky Chicks
The Whisky Chicks are libation liberators, whisky educators and friendship facilitators. Founded in January 2014 by successful entrepreneur Linda Ruffenach, the Whisky Chicks are on a mission to introduce and educate more women to the pleasures of a good glass of whisky, while making good friends along the way. From the novice to the connoisseur, the young professional to the great grandmother, they have something for everyone. For more information, visit www.WhiskyChicks.com.
About the Bourbon Brotherhood
Bourbon Brotherhood is a men’s group that meets monthly to enjoy Bourbon and camaraderie. They meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at various locations. Some of the men are true aficionados, some are just learning about Bourbon and many are somewhere in between. The group has enjoyed making friends and business connections while learning about Bourbon and experiencing new and exclusive venues. For more information, visit www.BourbonBrotherhood.com.
About the Coalition for the Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless, located at 1300 S. 4th Street, Suite 250, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent and eliminate homelessness in Louisville. The Coalition has a three-pronged approach to this mission: advocacy, education, and coordination of their 29 member agencies who provide a variety of services to the homeless throughout the city. The Coalition won the 2014 Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s Art of Social Innovation Pyramid Award for its Bed One-Stop Program. For more information, visit www.louhomeless.org, call (502) 636-9550, or find The Coalition for the Homeless on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LouHomeless or on Twitter @louhomeless.