KENTUCKY — Bourbon fans can now help out the trade and hospitality industry the next time they pour themselves a drink.
In partnership with Maker's Mark Bourbon, the Let's Empower Employment (LEE) Initiative is launching a limited-edition "CommUNITY Batch" special release bourbon. All of the bottle proceeds will benefit the LEE Initiative's mission of creating "a more diverse and equitable restaurant industry."
The bourbon, which will be available at select events and opportunities, was created by blending Maker's Mark Private Selection barrels from 37 restaurants, bars, and retailers around the country.
This isn't the first time the Lee Initiative and Maker's Mark have partnered up. They also came together to establish the Restaurant Workers Relief Program, which provided over 500,000 meals and supplies across 19 relief kitchens nationwide.
“To have the continued support of a partner like Maker’s Mark is inspiring to us, as we try to navigate this difficult time, and offer our community the means of both survival and growth,” said Chef Edward Lee, founder of the LEE Initiative. “The commitment of Maker’s Mark, and the willingness of their partners to step up and help, speaks volumes to the character of the brand and the people behind, and we are so thankful to partner with them on this incredible bourbon.”
On Dec. 1, also #GivingTuesday, The Lee Initiative and Maker's Mark will host virtual events. Anyone 21 years or older who makes a suggested donation toward a CommUNITY Batch bottle can join a virtual tasting hosted by Chef Lee and Maker's Mark Director of Innovation Jane Bowie. Maker's Mark will donate one meal through LEE Initiative efforts for every attendee who joins.
“We’ve been honored to be able to help so many of our friends in the bar and restaurant industry over the past few months through our work with The LEE Initiative,” said Chief Distillery Officer of Maker's Mark Rob Samuels. “When we asked our retail partners across the country if they’d be willing to donate their prized Private Selection recipes for this additional fundraising effort, we were blown away at the response. Seeing the community come together in this way has not only produced an exceptional bourbon, but a path towards providing the continued support that we’re fully committed to.”
Curious about how the bourbon was blended? First, Maker's Mark created individual barrels of Private Selection Bourbon by taking fully matured cask-strength Maker's Mark and finishing it with each partner's combination of ten barrel staves for an additional nine weeks in the Maker's Mark Cellar.
Then, the whisky from the barrels was blended and filled back into the barrels to rest for another five weeks.
More characteristics of the CommUNITY Batch include:
- Stave Contributions: P2 (13%), CU (24%), 46 (20%), Mo (27%) and SP (16%)
- Proof: 107.7
- Aroma: Caramel and almond up front with dark fruits, cherry, chocolate, and very subtle spice
- Taste: Round, dark with cured tobacco, heavy notes of dried fruit, like prunes or figs, along with soft, but dry baking spices. There’s a long, viscous finish that hangs around; it’s an incredible balance of astringent and oily.