Four military veterans who launched Four Branches Bourbon in 2023 have helped raise more than $400,000 for veteran and first responder organizations through bottle auctions and direct donations.
The Kentucky-based bourbon brand, which contracts with Bardstown Bourbon Company for production, was created to honor service members’ sacrifices.
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“The inspiration for Four Branches came from a fellow Marine and CIA contract officer, Greg Wright Jr. who sacrificed his life to help save others while on a mission in the Middle East,” said Rick Franco, co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon. “We are deeply inspired by his courage and giving back to veteran organizations. Helping to raise awareness about those like Greg who serve, and their families, was an important bond on which we built this company.”
Four Branches’ Philanthropic Efforts
Four Branches aims to support organizations that serve veterans, first responders, and intelligence communities. The founders of Four Branches Bourbon each served in a different branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, meaning that these efforts are particularly close to home.
Organizations currently supported by Four Branches include Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military personnel; The Third Option Foundation, which supports CIA Special Activities officers and their families; and The Special Forces Association, which focuses on educating the general public on the history, present, and future development of the Special Forces.
Building Industry Expertise
The founders partnered with bourbon industry veterans to guide their business, including Johnny Manuel, former Brown-Forman senior executive, Tim Condon, former Brown-Forman CFO, Nick Nelson of Unbridled Spirits, and Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller, Steve Nally.
“It’s truly impressive to see this small bourbon company making such a big impact,” said Manuel. “We are all proud to be part of supporting the unique brand story of its founders and the ultra-superb bourbon they created. And we admire their efforts to raise over $400,000 in less than 18 months to support veteran-focused nonprofits.”
Award-Winning Bourbon
The company’s inaugural release, Founders Blend Bourbon, features a four-grain mash bill combining corn, rye, malted barley, and wheat, aged between four and seven years. The expression has already garnered significant acclaim, securing Double Gold at the SIP Awards and Gold medals at both the American Spirits Council Ascot awards and 2024 PROOF Awards.
Individual bottles have commanded impressive prices at charity auctions, with some reaching more than $20,000 per bottle.
“It has been a privilege to support the fundraising efforts of these vital organizations and reach this milestone in such a short period of time,” said Mike Trott, co-founder and managing principal of Four Branches Bourbon.
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The brand’s trademarked messaging – “Serve Honorably, Drink Honorably and Sip to Remember” – aligns with its mission to honor service members through mindful consumption, emphasizing the significance of preserving and honoring memories rather than trying to escape them.
Four Branches Founders Blend is currently available through online purchases with shipping to 32 states, as well as select retail locations in Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
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