Six Signed Pappy Van Winkle Bottles Up for Grabs in Charity Raffle

by Francis Moses

Friday, 20 March 2026 at 12:41The Whiskey Wash

Pappy van Winkle 2025 COllection whiskeys

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Whiskeylovers in the United States can look out to win fine bottles. A popular bourbon raffle is returning to Kentucky, and it is presenting something most whisky enthusiasts do not have an opportunity to possess: a limited number of Pappy van Winkle whiskeys and one very exclusive set.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) has revived its Pappy Van Winkle raffle. The prize this year is a complete six-bottle set all signed by Julian Van Winkle III.

The raffle was opened on March 17th and it is a continuation of a fundraiser that has already raised more than 2 million since it began in 2019.

What will be part of the raffle?

The victor will have the entire lineup of bottles in the 2024 release. These are not ordinary bottles either. All of them are signed and checked on authenticity.

The collection includes the following bottles:

Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year
Pappy Van Winkle 20-Year
Pappy Van Winkle 15-Year
Van Winkle Family Reserve 13-Year Rye
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-Year
Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year

Bourbon expert Marc Abrams verified the bottles and mentioned that it is even more special to have both bourbon and rye in a set.

How does the Pappy van Winkle raffle work?

The tickets are sold at 100 dollars each and all the funds are donated to RMHCK. Only 1,984 tickets will be offered. That number is not random. It is the year when the charity was established first.

The lottery will be held on April 23, 2026. You do not have to be there to win. A minor fact that can be singled out is that the winner will receive a personal call from Julian Van Winkle III.

Why this raffle matters

This is more than whisky at the heart of it. The money collected aids families that come to Louisville seeking medical attention to their children. RMHCK provides them with a room to stay and some assistance in a very challenging period.

Since the raffle started, it has assisted in offering thousands of families with accommodation.

The reason why collectors are listening

Pappy Van Winkle enjoys a good reputation in the bourbon market. The bottles are scarce and when they are available, they are very expensive in the secondary market.

It is hard to get six of them in a set. It is all the more enticing to have them signed. This is the reason why this raffle sells out very fast every year.

FAQ

What is Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and why is it so popular?
Pappy Van Winkle is an extremely rare bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery. It’s known for its smooth, rich flavor thanks to the use of wheat instead of rye. The combination of limited supply and high quality makes it highly sought after.
Why is Pappy Van Winkle so hard to find?
The bourbon is aged for long periods, often 15, 20, or even 23 years. This limits production, while global demand keeps rising. Most bottles are distributed through lotteries and sell out almost instantly.
How much does a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle cost?
The official retail price typically ranges between 100 and 300 dollars depending on the age. However, on the secondary market, prices can reach thousands of dollars per bottle.