Kroger's Birmingham Bourbon Auction Draws 300 Enthusiasts, Raises $41,200 for Local Charities

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  Food and Wine on Tue, Nov 11th, 2025 by WDRB

Kroger’s Annual Bourbon Auction Draws Avid Collectors and Charitable Buyers Alike

A recent feature on WDRB’s news site details the excitement that has gripped the local bourbon‑enthusiast community during Kroger’s long‑running annual auction. Held at the company’s downtown Birmingham location, the event showcased a carefully curated selection of some of the industry’s most coveted bottles, including the legendary Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve and the highly sought‑after Weller Special Reserve. The auction, which has been a staple of the retailer’s community‑service calendar since 2017, combined a love of rare spirits with a charitable mission—raising money for local charities such as the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Birmingham Public Schools Foundation.

The Auction’s Legacy

The article notes that the Kroger bourbon auction began as a modest fundraising event, but has grown into a regional hotspot for collectors. In 2024, the auction was hosted in a spacious event room that could accommodate up to 300 guests. A live auctioneer—whose energetic style was highlighted by the article—guided participants through the bids in real‑time, with an online portal available for those unable to attend in person. The auction’s proceeds were divided between the charity of the year (Good Samaritan Hospital) and a portion of the proceeds that returned to the Kroger store as a donation toward community outreach programs.

A link embedded in the story directs readers to Kroger’s official page for the auction, which lists all available bottles and the online bidding instructions. That page also includes a brief history of the event and a gallery of past auctions, illustrating how the inventory and community participation have expanded over the years.

Featured Bottles

1. Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23‑Year‑Old

The headline item was a 23‑year‑old bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve. The article reports that the bottle fetched a final bid of $10,200—surpassing the $8,500 estimate by the auction’s organizers. According to the article’s quote from the auctioneer, the price “highlights the continuing demand for Pappy Van Winkle’s, which has become a status symbol for serious collectors.” A link to the Buffalo Trace website’s Pappy Van Winkle page gives background on the brand’s storied legacy and the scarcity of the 23‑year‑old release, which is produced in limited numbers each year.

2. Weller Special Reserve 23‑Year‑Old

Next to the Van Winkle, the auction featured a 23‑year‑old Weller Special Reserve. A Pappy‑style bourbon made from 100% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels, the Weller has long been prized by connoisseurs. The article notes that the bottle sold for $9,850, a 20% increase over last year’s $8,150 sale. The auctioneer described the wine’s “smooth, caramel‑laden finish” as the reason for the high bid, and a link in the story takes readers to an article on the Weller page on the Buffalo Trace website, providing tasting notes and production details.

3. Other Notable Bids

Other rare offerings included a 1995 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (sold for $6,200), a 2004 Buffalo Trace Single Barrel (sold for $5,900), and a 2013 Woodford Reserve Rare Distillery Collection (sold for $4,350). The article provides a quick rundown of each bottle’s provenance and why they are valued by collectors. A separate link to the “Bourbon Collectors’ Guide” offers readers an expanded context about why these particular bottles command high prices in the market.

Community Involvement

One of the core themes of the article is the sense of community that surrounds the auction. Store manager, Maria Lopez, is quoted saying, “Every year we’re amazed at how many people come out of the grocery aisle and into the event room to compete for these bottles. It’s not just about the money—though the funds go to great causes—it’s about celebrating the culture of bourbon with people who share that enthusiasm.” Her words echo the article’s emphasis on how the auction serves as a gathering place for local families, amateur collectors, and industry professionals.

In addition to the live bidding, Kroger hosted a pre‑auction tasting session where guests could sample a selection of the available bottles under the guidance of a certified sommelier. The article highlights that the tasting was “a highlight for attendees who had never tried a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle before.” A link to the sommelier’s profile on Kroger’s website offers additional insight into the tasting process and the educational aspect of the event.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the thrill of the auction itself, the WDRB article situates the event within the broader resurgence of bourbon in America. The article references a recent NPR feature—linked in the story—on the bourbon boom, which discusses how increasing demand for rare bottles has elevated their value on the secondary market. By comparing last year’s auction figures to this year’s, the article demonstrates that the Kroger auction is a microcosm of national trends, albeit on a scale that is accessible to a local audience.

The charity component of the auction is also a point of pride, according to the article. The proceeds for 2024 were announced to total $41,200, with $24,000 earmarked for the Good Samaritan Hospital’s new cardiac wing and the remaining $17,200 going to support after‑school programs in Birmingham’s public schools. The article’s author, who has covered local fundraising events for several years, notes that this “is the perfect example of how commercial entities can partner with community institutions for mutual benefit.”

Bottom Line

Kroger’s annual bourbon auction, as reported by WDRB, is more than a high‑stakes buying contest. It is a community tradition that blends passion for a storied craft with a commitment to charitable giving. The event’s headline‑maker, a 23‑year‑old Pappy Van Winkle, sold for $10,200—an impressive figure that underscores the enduring allure of that brand. Coupled with the successful sale of a 23‑year‑old Weller Special Reserve and several other rare bottles, the auction achieved a total of $41,200 for local causes, proving that bourbon can be both a collector’s dream and a catalyst for good. Readers who want to explore the detailed inventory or learn more about the bottles featured can follow the article’s embedded links to Kroger’s auction page, Buffalo Trace’s product pages, and the broader bourbon collector’s guide—providing a comprehensive look at the world of rare spirits and the community that surrounds them.