TATERS LAUNCH EVENT - The Start of a Mission

On the evening of July 13th Taters, Inc. officially launched by holding a bourbon tasting and auction event. The night was different, but it was also all too familiar. To use what is surely one of the most tired phrases of 2021, the night was a reflection of “the new normal.” While a packed house does not make for social distancing, glimpses of the American spirit and creativity required to endure a quarantine could be found in this particular tasting of bourbon…the drink that brings people together.

A hundred plus attendees gathered at Pine Valley Country Club to participate in the tasting led by Four Roses Master Distiller, Brent Elliott. The featured guest appeared on a projected screen to guide them through the tasting.

Participants received their own tasting glass and poured their own samples at the direction of the virtual host. Pre-pours were provided in 1 oz. plastic soufflé cups topped with a lid and sticker, color coded to corresponding bottles.

photos by Matt Hakey

Truth be told a small startup nonprofit in Fort Wayne, Indiana was never going to be able to bring in the 2020 Master Distiller of the Year to an event in person. So the fact that Brent Elliott gave an hour and half of his time on a beautiful summer evening was truly generous.

It’s even more remarkable when one considers that the event may not have happened at all. Earlier this Spring Taters participated in the Four Roses Private Barrel Selection program and selected an amazing barrel. The initial plan for a launch event revolved around the release of that bottle.

However, timing the release around the covert plans of distributers is nearly impossible. Indeed, somewhere at Four Roses sits a pallet of Taters bottles waiting to be picked up when the distributor’s schedule permits.

Alas, it was a Taters’ audible that shifted from a bottle release to the virtual tasting and auction event. It was perhaps serendipitous. Early in the development of Taters the founding members of the Board were purposeful in not developing an organization that was focused on bottle chasing. While taters are indeed known for such, Taters, Inc.’s mission was designed to harness that enthusiasm and use it to build camaraderie and support charitable work. Instead of bottle chasing, the attendees were treated to a highly enjoyable and engaging tasting, brand history and Q&A with Brent Elliott. Suffice to say, the participants were floored by learning from one of the best in the business.

In his closing remarks, already gracious with his time, Elliott transitioned into our auction event by sharing his thoughts on the charitable aspects of the bourbon community: “There’s just something about bourbon and charity that feels right,” he explained. “When people get together to enjoy bourbon, their generosity really comes out as well.”

So the stage was set for the night to conclude with the culmination of an enthused crowd charged with the enviable task of buying/drinking bourbon and supporting the charitable mission of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. The foundation boasts of the “ability to leverage the giving of many to make the greatest possible impact in Allen County.” While the generosity of the bourbon community is hardly in question, the true question was whether that generosity could be harnessed for philanthropic grant making. The answer is a resounding yes.

Bidding took off in a flurry with anxious bidders waiting to take home a bottle or bourbon experience after Elliott’s inspiring tasting. It was perhaps fitting that the best surprise of the auction came from a unique sample kit from Knob Creek that allowed the owner to be his own master distiller and compare three barrel proof samples with the bottle ultimately selected. Of course it wouldn’t be a tatery event without unicorn bottles. And on this night those bottles did not disappoint: Pappy, Parkers, Old Fitz, Four Roses Limited Edition to name a few. When it was all said and done the Taters are happy to have raised the necessary funds to establish the Hoosier Spirit Fund at the Community Foundation. Net proceeds have provided the initial contribution of $10,000.

In many ways the launch of Taters embodies the American spirit that is reflected in its native beverage whose popularity continues to boom. Americans are proud and uniquely distinctive. They enjoy social interaction and are generous. As it turns out, the bourbon community – taters if you will – are able to leverage the giving of many for the greatest possible impact.