http://www.courier-journal.com/article/ ... d-cure-ALS
Kentucky bourbon helping find a cure to ALS
Jul. 20, 2013 |
Kentucky bourbon / Copyright 2005 The Courier-Journal
Written by
Mark Keierleber
The Courier-Journal
Seven parts straight Kentucky bourbon — a one-time blend that could help find a cure to a deadly disease affecting 30,000 Americans.
Bardstown-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, the world’s second-largest bourbon holder, is partnering with six area distilleries to mix up a concoction of distilled spirits to raise funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research. Parker Beam, Heaven Hill master distiller emeritus, was diagnosed in February with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., told Beam there is no way of predicting exactly what medical problems he may face because the disease affects people differently, according to the ALS Association.
ALS causes degeneration in the brain and spinal cord, according to the ALS Association. Painless weakness in an arm or leg is a common first symptom, and difficulty with speech, swallowing or walking are also symptoms. The life expectancy for those living with the disease is 2 to 5 years from the first diagnoses.
Stirred in with Heaven Hill Bourbon will be spirits from Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace and Jim Beam, and will be dubbed “Master Distillers’ Unity,” a first for Kentucky’s largest distillers. The bourbon is unfiltered at 100 proof.
The blend won’t be sold in packaged liquor stores. A crystal two-bottle set will be sold Oct. 13 at the Bonhams Whisky, Cognac and Rare Spirits auction in New York City, according to a Heaven Hill press release. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund, established to raise money for research and patient care by the ALS Association honoring Parker, who is the sixth-generation master distiller of Bourbon brands Evan Williams, Elijah Craig and Larceny.
Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley at Buffalo Trace, a Frankfort-based distillery, said he expects the concoction’s complexion to be “outstanding.”
Wheatley, who said he has known Beam and his son Craig Beam for decades, said it was important for Buffalo Trace to show their support of Beam and participate in the project.
“Lou Gehrig’s is a devastating disease, and we support Parker and our friends at Heaven Hill in raising funds for research,” he said.
Although the limited Master Distillers’ Unity will not be available for purchase in retail stores, bourbon enthusiasts can make a toast to ALS research in the fall. Heaven Hill announced earlier this year the sale of Parker’s Heritage Collection Bourbon, an annual release of rare American Whiskeys now in its seventh edition, will also help fund ALS research, according to a press release.
Heaven Hill and beam plan to dedicate the coming fall edition of Parker’s Heritage collection, a limited annual release of rare American Whiskeys, to a fund-raising campaign with the ALS Association. Heaven Hill will be donating $20 for every special-edition bottle sold to the Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund, with a goal of raising $250,000.
“We hope that others will become more aware of ALS and will find additional ways to help us in our fight,” Beam said in the release.
