This Louisville Bourbon Event Raises Money for Parkinson's Research—and the Lineup Is Strong

Every year, the week before the Kentucky Derby turns Louisville into a city-wide party. Bourbon flows freely, hospitality hits its seasonal peak, and a slew of special events vie for attention. The 5th Annual Kentucky Bourby, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at Progress Park, is one that deserves extra focus.

Organized by TKO Flight Club, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease, the event raises money for therapeutic training, support programs, and local research. This year, event organizers expect around 750 guests, with a bourbon lineup that outshines those of most tasting bars.

“This mission is personal to me,” says TKO Flight Club president Tom Pifer. “My father is living with Parkinson’s disease, and watching that journey up close changes my perspective. Through TKO Flight Club, we started bringing people together around bourbon because it’s part of our Kentucky heritage. Kentucky Bourby grew from that idea: turning something deeply personal into a community-driven effort that raises real funds, builds real connections, and gives people a way to be part of the fight.”

Participating distilleries include Heaven Hill, Angel’s Envy, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Michter’s, and Wild Turkey. The distilleries typically contribute allocated releases, private selections, and in some cases one-of-one or charity-only offerings that aren’t available through retail channels. “Angel’s Envy is bringing its newly released Cask Strength bourbon. Buffalo Trace will have Weller CYPB and Blanton’s Gold on hand,” says Pifer. There’s also a fireside area where guests can thieve straight from the barrel.

The VIP hour, which runs 5 to 6 p.m. before the main event, includes access to a Jim Beam private tasting room, a Four Roses swag bag, and a Heaven Hill Top Shelf Toast—a welcome pour of the 2026 Heritage Collection 22 year old. VIP guests also get early access to the bottle raffles and auction, which matters, given what’s on the block.

Going under the hammer: George T. Stagg, President’s Choice, a 14 year old Willett, and King of Kentucky, alongside distillery experience packages and gift baskets. A single barrel of Blanton’s Gold, sourced in partnership with Neat Bourbon and Bottle Shop, and a full set of bottles from that barrel will be raffled at the event. Other bottles were sourced with the help of Evergreen Liquors.

VIP tickets ($220) are sold out, as are all Airstream overnight “play and stay” packages. General admission is $120, with a 25% discount available to Whisky Advocate readers using code BOURBYWA at checkout.

The evening runs until 10 p.m. and includes live music and food from Crowler Catering. Progress Park is at 4503 Progress Blvd. in Louisville. Can’t make it to the event but still want to bid on the auctions? Entirely feasible through 32auctions.com; donors can bid on rare bottles from anywhere.