LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bourbon and philanthropy came together for another big night in Louisville as the 13th annual Bourbon Mixer raised $120,000 for the Coalition for the Homeless, pushing the event’s lifetime fundraising total past the $1 million mark.
Hosted by the Whisky Chicks and Bourbon Brotherhood, the 2026 Bourbon Mixer was held Aug. 22 at Germantown Gables in Louisville. Homes of Tradition served as presenting sponsor.
This year’s “Bourbon Nights” theme took guests back to the 1980s while bringing together whiskey from more than 20 craft and global distilleries, food, music, rare-bourbon raffles and an extensive charity auction.
The $120,000 raised during this year’s event brought the Bourbon Mixer’s cumulative contribution to the Coalition for the Homeless to $1 million since the fundraiser was created in 2014.
“It’s incredible that the Bourbon Mixer crossed the $1 million line this year,” Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Natalie Harris said. “Each dollar raised goes to supporting unhoused Louisvillians to get off the streets and into housing, and we’re so grateful.”
Rare bourbon helps drive fundraising
Some of the biggest attractions of the evening were raffles featuring bottles sought after by bourbon collectors. Guests had opportunities to win Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bourbon, two of the most coveted names in American whiskey.
Christopher Cedotal won the Pappy Van Winkle raffle, while James Shircliff took home the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection raffle. The evening also included an auction hosted by Legacy Home & Estate Services featuring more than 100 specialty items. Beyond the fundraising, participating distilleries competed for recognition from the bourbon enthusiasts attending the event.
Angel’s Envy was named the Bourbon Mixer’s top fundraiser and also captured the Whisky Chicks Fan Favorite award. Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. earned the Bourbon Brotherhood Fan Favorite award.
The awards for the evening were as follows:
Top Fundraiser: Angel’s Envy
Bourbon Brotherhood Fan Favorite: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
Whisky Chicks Fan Favorite: Angel’s Envy
Pappy Van Winkle Raffle Winner: Christopher Cedotal
Buffalo Trace Antique Raffle Winner: James Shircliff
Bourbon community turns passion into philanthropy
The Bourbon Mixer was created in 2014 by Bruce Corwin of the Bourbon Brotherhood and Linda Ruffenach of the Whisky Chicks.
A volunteer planning committee drawn from the two whiskey social organizations has continued to organize the event, using Kentucky’s bourbon culture and its community of enthusiasts, collectors and distilleries to support the Coalition for the Homeless.
Reaching $1 million in cumulative contributions represents a significant milestone for an event that began as a collaboration between two bourbon enthusiast groups.
The Coalition for the Homeless works to prevent and end homelessness in Louisville. The organization advocates for policy changes, educates the public and coordinates the efforts of more than 40 member agencies across the city.
The Bourbon Mixer has developed its own place on Louisville’s annual bourbon calendar by combining tastings and access to distilleries with rare-bottle opportunities and charitable giving.
This year’s $120,000 contribution means the event has now generated an average of nearly $77,000 per year for the Coalition since its inception.
And the Bourbon Mixer is already looking toward its next million. The 14th annual Bourbon Mixer is scheduled for Aug. 21, 2027, at Germantown Gables. Organizers plan to launch next year’s bourbon raffles July 1, 2027.
For Kentucky’s bourbon community, the $1 million milestone provides another example of how the industry’s reach extends beyond bottles and distilleries. In this case, 13 years of bourbon tastings, rare whiskey and community support have translated into $1 million for some of Louisville’s most vulnerable residents. Find the Coalition online at www.louhomeless.org or www.facebook.com/LouHomeless.
