Our print columnist Sara Havens, a.k.a. The Bar Belle, is an award-winning journalist and author who has championed for Louisville’s nightlife scene for more than 20 years. Her work first appeared in LEO Weekly for 15 years and then Insider Louisville for five years.

She now writes for national publications like Bourbon+, The Bourbon Review and Alcohol Professor, and in her spare time she’s a bourbon consultant for CaskX and a tour guide for Mint Julep Experiences. The Kentucky Colonel enjoys short walks to the bar and now prefers day drinking over late-night shenanigans.

Sara’s most recent contribution to F&D is here.

But for bourbon far more topical, she’s penned this article at Alcohol Professor: The Kentucky Spirit: How Bourbon Distilleries Unite to Help in Times of Need.

As a prime example of Kentucky distilleries coming together for one common cause, look no further than the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit, a huge undertaking organized by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, bourbon author, and curator Fred Minnick , and the charitable organization Bourbon Crusaders. Proceeds from the six-day auction will help support recovery and rebuilding efforts from the December 11 tornadoes that ravaged western Kentucky.

Read the full article at your leisure, but for the moment be aware that the bourbon benefit auction ends this evening.

The online auction began Thursday, December 16, at 5 pm EST and will run through Tuesday, December 21, at 10 pm. A live-streamed auction will be held December 21 starting at 7 pm at Louisville’s Westport Whiskey & Wine and will feature elite items and immersive experiences from Kentucky’s legendary distillers.

All proceeds go to the state’s official Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the tornados and severe storms. Just stay tuned to kybourbonbenefit.com to view all the auction items and bid.