FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit auction raised over $1.4 million to advance eastern Kentucky flood relief, the Kentucky Distiller's Association announced Wednesday.

Bidders from all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. vied for 533 lots featuring rare and signed bottles, private barrel selections and more. The auction, hosted by KDA in partnership with Bourbon Crusaders, Fred Minnick and Westport Whiskey & Wine, was held for 10 days at kybourbonbenefit.com.

All proceeds are going to the state's official Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, organizers said. A similar effort in Dec. 2021 raised $3.4 million for tornado relief in western Kentucky, meaning the total for both auctions approached $5 million.

Over 17,300 bids were placed in total. The Commonwealth led the way with 775 registered bidders, and neighbors Ohio, Tennessee and Indiana were close behind.

“Once again, we are humbled and honored by the outpouring of support from the Bourbon community to help our fellow Kentuckians,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “As a signature industry, it’s our duty to go above and beyond and give back, especially in times of need."

R.J. Sargent, founder of the Bourbon Crusaders, said the outpouring of support has been outstanding. “The Bourbon Crusaders are once again humbled and grateful to the Bourbon community for using our shared passion to help those in need,” he said. 

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most signature industries, a homegrown $9 billion economic and tourism engine sustaining 22,500 jobs with a yearly payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, and paying over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes annually.