Kentucky Launches Inaugural Online Auction for Confiscated Rare Bourbons Just in Time for the Holidays

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The state of Kentucky is launching its inaugural online auction featuring confiscated alcohol, including rare and sought-after bottles of bourbon. The auction will provide bourbon enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to acquire hard-to-find varieties just in time for the holiday season.

Starting Wednesday, online bidding will be available, concluding at midnight on Dec. 11. Among the premium bottles up for auction are two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold with Japanese markings, and a Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. This initiative comes as a result of a new law permitting the sale of alcohol confiscated during closed criminal investigations by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control agency.

The proceeds from the auction will benefit programs aimed at promoting responsible alcohol use among adults and raising awareness about alcohol-related issues for youths. Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, comments on the significance of the auction: “This is a really good auction. There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.”

No financial estimates on the total amount to be raised from the auction have been made public. Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, stated her anticipation for the response to this auction, mentioning plans for future auctions in 2025.

The auction lineup includes a total of 32 bottles featuring a variety of spirits, including a “stock the bar” bundle with wine, vodka, rum, and whiskey. However, the highlight remains the rare bourbons, such as E.H. Taylor bourbon, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, and Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye.

According to Gregory, items like Blanton’s Gold and the Four Roses 2011 are exceptionally rare and not typically found in retail liquor stores, making this auction a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon enthusiasts and collectors alike. Additionally, the new regulations mark a significant change, as Kentucky regulators previously had to destroy confiscated alcohol following a case closure.

As Kentucky distillers are credited with producing 95% of the global bourbon supply, Gregory emphasizes the importance of not seeing valuable bourbon wasted: “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain.”

The auction is set to be a landmark event for the state’s bourbon culture, merging legal measures with an appreciation for fine spirits. Winning bidders are reminded that items from the auction must be picked up in Frankfort, as shipping is not permitted.