Parker Beam Diagnosed with ALS; Distilleries Unite to Fund Research on Cure

Parker Beam, a sixth-generation distiller from the storied Beam family, has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and select bourbon from Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill will be blended together to create a one-time-only special blend to pay tribute to Beam and to raise funds to research a cure for ALS.

“I think the overall intent is to raise awareness of ALS and raise money for the foundation and the search for a cure. We all believe that’s very important. That’s the practical reason,” said Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve master distiller. “But the camaraderie of our companies, the high regard we hold Parker in, also is a great inducement for participation, to show our regards for him.”

The blend won’t be available in package stores, but a crystal two-bottle set will be sold Oct. 13 at the Bonhams Whisky, Cognac and Rare Spirits auction in New York City.  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.

Heaven Hill also announced it will donate $20 for every special-edition bottle of Parker’s Heritage Collection Bourbon, an annual release of rare American whiskeys, sold this year to help fund ALS research.  Heaven Hill hopes to raise $250,000 to aid in research to combat a disease that afflicts more than 30,000 Americans at any given time.