Jackson Purchase Distillery online auction to benefit local ambulance service ends April 15

Jackson Purchase Distillery in Hickman is providing an opportunity to the public to support a great cause, Ken-Tenn EMS, while securing a chance to win a one-of-a-kind barrel of exclusive bourbon, customarily reserved for industry insiders.

Bids may be placed to win the barrel of bourbon, by visiting online at http://bit.ly/barrelauction.

Bids will close April 15, after 30 days of active bidding.

All proceeds generated from the online auction will go to Ken-Tenn EMS,  the ambulance service which provides emergency medical services to Hickman, Fulton, South Fulton and Fulton County.

The winning bidder will be presented with one New Fill 53-gallon Bourbon Barrel, 70% corn, 20% rye, 10% malted barley, which entered the #4 char white oak barrel at 120 proof. 

It is locally sourced corn from Jackson Purchase area farmers and will age to four years in the Jackson Purchase Distillery Rickhouse, then yield approximately 175 bottles, with custom bottling and labelling included for the winning bidder.

The signed barrel top is from Master Distiller Craig Beam and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard.

Jackson Purchase Distillery CEO and President Lloyd Jones, along with Terry Ballard, Assistant Master Distiller and Director of Manufacturing, pulled one of the barrels of bourbon from the metal framework inside the huge rickhouse at the distillery site, which towers five floors and is filled with 24,000 wooden barrels.

One like it awaits the winning bidder participating in the online auction, which has reached over $5,000 as of Monday. Jones said he would like to see the total rise to $10,000, to benefit the local ambulance service.

Ballard said Jackson Purchase Distillery provides employees with membership in airflight emergency medical transportation, and also supports the Ken-Tenn EMS with a corporate membership.

Jones said after conversations with former Hickman City Manager and current ambulance board member David Gallagher, as well as Fulton County Judge Executive Jim Martin, he became aware of the budgetary needs experienced by the EMS, and wanted to help. He said this fundraiser will not be the last for Jackson Purchase Distillery, with plans to hold at least one per quarter, for a worthy cause.

In addition to the bourbon barrels, the distillery may consider a fundraiser using their new American Single Malt Whiskey, a recent addition to the operations. 

Jones said that once Jackson Purchase Distillery began the process to operate in Fulton County, the contract with the Ken-Tenn EMS was one of the first contracts executed by the company.

“We have had to have the ambulance service here before. The service is excellent. Everyone should subscribe,” he said.

Once the bidding closes, the winner will be announced, Jones said.

Tucked in the western-most part of the Bluegrass State, Jackson Purchase Distillery produces custom mash bills, enhanced by 100% calcium-rich ground water inside Kentucky-made copper stills.