Oaklore Distilling raises $52,000 for hurricane relief

Charlotte-based Oaklore Distilling has raised funds to support local hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

From 11 to 20 October, Oaklore Distilling Co donated 200% of all bottle sales from its Charlotte, North Carolina, retail store as part of its ‘Empty the Shelves for Carolina’ fundraiser.

The distillery sold nearly 350 bottles of Bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, rum and gin, raising US$52,000 for Hurricane Helene survivors.

“We’re heartbroken for all the residents and small businesses that were affected by Hurricane Helene and we wanted to help in a meaningful way,” co-founder Matt Simpkins said. “As a North Carolina small business ourselves, all of our employees were determined to leverage any resources Oaklore had to make an immediate impact.”

It is estimated that Hurricane Helene caused at least US$53 billion in damages in western North Carolina. State officials reported 96 deaths from Helene, which brought historic rain and flooding in late September.

“We can’t thank the local community enough for their unbelievable outpouring of support,” co-founder Tom Bogan said. “What was most heartwarming to us was how many people bought their first bottle of whiskey ever to be part of this fundraising effort. Nothing showed more clearly how dedicated folks in the Charlotte area are to helping those in need in western North Carolina.”

The money raised was donated to the Community Foundation of Henderson County, which works with local communities through its Rebuild Fund.

Spirits available during the fundraiser included North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey, Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey, Original Vodka, Original Gin, Original Rum, Bloody Butcher Corn Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Angel Barrel Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey.

Earlier this week, Sazerac said it would auction some of its ‘most prized’ spirits to aid recovery efforts from Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

Bacardi, meanwhile, announced earlier this month that it would donate US$100,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief following the impact of both storms.