Bourbon fans are heading to Warehouse 410 in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, 24 October, for a lively night of tastings, barbecue, burlesque and fundraising. The second annual BBQ, Bourbon & Burlesque will pair regional pours with unusual auction lots, while supporting Matthew 25 AIDS Services and its healthcare and prevention work across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Essential Takeaways
- Date and venue: The event takes place on Saturday, 24 October, at Warehouse 410 in Evansville.
- Bourbon programme: Caryn Wels of Green River Distilling will lead the evening's featured bourbon experience.
- Auction highlights: More than 30 whiskey-themed packages include bottles, tastings, specialist products and signed books.
- Biggest prize: Two guests can join Matthew 25's private single-barrel selection team at Green River Distilling.
- Beyond the glass: Chef What's barbecue and a performance by the Drop Dead Darlings bring food and theatre to the fundraiser.
Evansville's bourbon night has plenty going on
Forget the usual quiet tasting-room format. This Evansville bourbon event is shaping up to be a full evening out, with warm barbecue aromas, polished whiskey pours and the playful energy of a burlesque show.
The fundraiser returns to Warehouse 410 for its second year, giving bourbon enthusiasts a chance to sample a broad selection while supporting Matthew 25 AIDS Services. The organisation provides healthcare, testing, prevention education and support for people affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in the region.
That mix is part of the appeal. Guests can enjoy a memorable night, but the money raised has a practical purpose beyond the party.
Green River Distilling takes centre stage
Caryn Wels, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Co., will guide the featured bourbon experience. Her presentation is expected to cover the Owensboro distillery's history, production approach and portfolio, giving newcomers some useful context alongside the tasting.
Additional pours will come from producers including Heaven Hill Distillery, Hard Truth Distilling Co., Larrikin Bourbon Company, Old Dominick Distillery and Purple Toad Winery. That's a useful spread for anyone keen to compare styles, from familiar names to smaller regional producers.
For first-time tasters, the best approach is simple: start with smaller sips, keep water nearby and jot down what stands out. The sweet, spicy or smoky note that catches your attention may be more useful than trying to sound like a professional taster.
The silent auction is where things get interesting
More than 30 bourbon-themed packages will be available in the silent auction, with lots ranging from sought-after bottles and tasting opportunities to specialist merchandise. A complete set of signed whiskey books by Richard Thomas is also included, alongside a short talk from his latest work, Jack Daniel's: Behind The Bottle.
The star lot offers something far more hands-on than a bottle. The winning bidders will receive two places on Matthew 25's private single-barrel selection team at Green River Distilling on 13 November.
That team will help choose the barrel for an exclusive 30-year commemorative bourbon bottle marking Matthew 25's three decades of service. It isn't a standard retail experience, which makes it especially appealing to collectors and anyone who enjoys the story behind a bottle as much as the pour itself.
Barbecue and burlesque keep the evening lively
The food comes from Chef What of Henderson, Kentucky, whose barbecue should provide a suitably smoky counterpoint to the bourbon. Rich, savoury food and American whiskey are an easy pairing, particularly when the evening is designed to be social rather than formal.
Then there's the entertainment. Evansville's Drop Dead Darlings will deliver an hour-long burlesque performance, adding a theatrical change of pace between tastings, conversation and auction activity.
A Roaring Twenties-inspired outfit is encouraged, although nobody needs to arrive in full costume. A sharp jacket, vintage detail or bold accessory should be enough to join the mood without making the wardrobe feel like homework.
A night out with a useful purpose
Events like this work because they turn fundraising into something people genuinely want to attend. Guests aren't simply buying a ticket to a donation drive; they're getting food, drinks, entertainment and access to experiences that aren't available through ordinary shopping.
The cause remains the evening's most important ingredient. Matthew 25 AIDS Services supports people living with or at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana, making the fundraiser a direct way to help sustain local services.
For bourbon lovers looking for a distinctive night in Evansville, this is an appealing combination: unusual whiskey, proper barbecue, a little sparkle and a cause worth raising a glass to.
It's a spirited evening where every bid and pour can help support vital local care.
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