A prestigious collection of America’s most sought-after Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is being raffled to support families with children receiving medical treatment in Kentucky.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) has launched its annual Pappy bourbon raffle, featuring a complete flight of six bottles from the legendary Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery – including a rare Pappy Rye for the first time.
An Exciting Vertical Helping Families In Need
The bourbon flight, valued at more than $13,000, features bottles personally signed by Julian Van Winkle III, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and a long-standing supporter of the charity.
Each raffle ticket costs $100 (£75), with all proceeds helping fund the charity’s accommodation for families travelling to Louisville for their children’s medical care. All the charity’s services are provided free of charge to families in need.
Marc Abrams, a renowned bourbon expert from Louisville, authenticated and appraised the collection. “Having a complete collection for this year’s raffle by including the rye makes it truly a complete vertical,” Abrams said. “And the unbelievable value in having Julian Van Winkle signing each bottle sets this apart from other raffles.”
The Pappy Bourbon & Rye Collection
The prized collection includes bottles from across the Van Winkle range: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year (2023), 12-Year Old Van Winkle Lot B (2023), Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye (2024), Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year (2023), Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year (2023), and the highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year (2023).
Hal Hedley, CEO of RMHCK, explained the significance of the raffle size: “We intentionally sell 1,984 tickets to commemorate the year 1984, when Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana first opened its doors to families.”
A Charitable Endeavor For RMHCK
The annual raffle has become a crucial fundraising tool for the organization. Since 2019, RMHCK’s Pappy raffle initiatives have raised more than $1.8 million (£1.35 million), providing 15,353 nights of accommodation for families whose children require specialist medical treatment in Louisville.
Pappy Van Winkle has achieved cult status among bourbon enthusiasts worldwide, with bottles often selling for many times their retail value on secondary markets. The distillery’s limited production and exceptional quality have made their releases some of the most difficult to obtain in the spirits world.
The raffle has consistently sold out in previous years, with bourbon collectors and charity supporters alike keen to secure a chance at winning the prestigious bottles. This year’s expanded format, including the addition of the Family Reserve Rye, is expected to attract even greater interest.
The winner will be drawn on 22 May at 11am Eastern Daylight Time. Participants need not be present at the drawing to claim their prize.
For RMHCK, partnerships with Kentucky’s signature industry provide vital support for its mission to keep families close during challenging times. The charity provides a home away from home for families needing to travel for their children’s medical treatment, offering accommodation, meals, and support services at no cost to families.
Tickets for the raffle can be purchased here until the drawing date or until all tickets are sold.
