Giving back: Sazerac Company hosts California wildfire relief fundraiser

All funds raised will go towards two non-profit organisations – World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally – committed to ongoing relief efforts in the US state.

Feb 12, 2025 - 11:26

Giving back: Sazerac Company hosts California wildfire relief fundraiser

Sazerac Company is hosting a first-of-its-kind fundraiser in support of California wildfire relief efforts.

The fundraiser, which kicked off yesterday (Tuesday) at 12pm EST, offers consumers the opportunity to purchase three ultra-rare prize packages featuring some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most sought-after bourbons.

All funds raised will go toward two organisations committed to ongoing relief efforts in the US state: World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with restaurant and food truck partners in Southern California to provide meals to those in need, and Another Round Another Rally (ARAR), which is collecting funds for real-time financial support for hospitality workers impacted by the wildfires.

The Moodie Davitt Report is supporting the campaign with dedicated advertising on our home page, travel retail’s most-read editorial platform.

Sazerac President and CEO Jake Wenz said: “Our hearts break for those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires that have swept across California this year. The fires have caused immense destruction, and the toll on the Los Angeles community is profound.

“Through this programme we hope, humbly, to offer a small bit of aid to World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally as they continue their much-needed support of the California community during this difficult time.”

**The fundraiser features the first single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year available to purchase**

The Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser includes:

An auction of the first single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old made available for purchase. The barrel was specially selected from the heart of the ageing warehouses at Buffalo Trace Distillery for this auction. On average, a single barrel yields approximately 125 bottles of bourbon.

Funds raised via auction will be evenly split between WCK and ARAR.

Sweepstakes 1: A complete bottle set of the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection. The very rare, limited-edition Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection featuring six unique bourbons, each described as “reflective of a craft that blends generational knowledge dating back to the late 1800s”. The collection features Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year; Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year; Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year; Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year; Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year and Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year.

Funds raised by the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon sweepstakes will benefit WCK.

Sweepstakes 2: One bottle of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s ultra-rare Eagle Rare 25. This marks the oldest expression ever released from the Eagle Rare portfolio and, according to Sazerac, “defies existing perception of ultra-aged bourbon with its smooth, complex flavour profile”. Eagle Rare 25 is the first bourbon aged in Warehouse P, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art warehouse, constructed to test if it was possible to extend favourably both the ageing and maturation processes typical for American whiskey and bourbon.

Funds raised by the Eagle Rare 25 sweepstakes will benefit Another Round Another Rally

Wildfires broke out in the Palisades and Eaton communities of Los Angeles last month and quickly spread to neighbouring communities.

It is estimated more than 50,000 acres have burned, with the wildfires destroying more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 28 people. “From the beginning, both WCK and ARAR have been on the frontlines in Los Angeles helping the communities hardest hit,” Sazerac said in a statement.

WCK’s Relief Team mobilised immediately in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by the wildfires. In collaboration with more than 80 restaurant and food truck partners, WCK is distributing free hot meals to those in need at several locations throughout Southern California. Since the wildfires began in early January, WCK has served more than 600,000 meals to those affected by the wildfires.

As the fire’s devastation began to overtake Los Angeles and surrounding areas, ARAR took action knowing bar and restaurant workers would face an uphill battle with regard to loss of businesses and loss of income opportunities. Their Disaster Relief Fund enables the organisation to provide real-time financial support to hospitality workers impacted by California’s wildfires. In the month since the fires started, Another Round Another Rally has given out over US$100,000 in financial assistance to bar and restaurant workers affected by the disaster.

Those looking to support the Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser can participate in several ways.

For the Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old single barrel auction, bidding will begin at US$10,000 and those interested can bid as many times as they wish. Bidding will increase in increments of US$1,000. The winner of the auction will receive a monetary prize equal to the value of the lot, which may be used to purchase the bottles yielded from the barrel, as well as the empty barrel. Click here for the link to bid.

**Buffalo Trace Distillery’s ultra-rare Eagle Rare 25 is the oldest expression ever released from the Eagle Rare portfolio**

For both the Pappy Van Winkle Collection and Eagle Rare 25 sweepstakes, entrants will receive one entry for every US$50 donation made through the registration site. There is no cap on the amount a person can donate. The winners of each sweepstake will receive a monetary prize equal to the value of the bottle they won, which may be used to purchase the bottles. Click here to donate and enter.

The fundraiser’s official rules are available here. All entries must be received by 11:59PM EST on Sunday 23 February. One winner for each prize package will be randomly drawn and notified via phone and email during the week beginning 3 March.

With a heritage spanning 400 years, Sazerac Company is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies, now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership.

Its diverse brand line-up includes the award-winning Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye Whiskey, the Weller Bourbon line, E.H. Taylor Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon, Eagle Rare Bourbon, 1792 Bourbon, Paddy Irish Whiskey, Fireball Whisky, Sheep Dog Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Myer’s Rum, Jung & Wulff Rum, Corazon Tequila, Los Vecinos Mezcal, Goldschlager and many more.

Sazerac brands are represented in travel retail by Duty Free Global, The Moodie Davitt Report’s partner in our popular Images of the Day feature.