Jack Daniel’s is bringing a local tradition to cities across the United States this year by building Whiskey barrel trees to help members of the military travel home. Ten years ago, the Lynchburg, Tennessee distillery built its first tree.
Jack Daniel’s barrel trees are made from 140 American white oak Whiskey barrels and stand 26 feet tall. The tree will once again be built in Lynchburg this year, and will also go up in Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Dallas, TX; Boston, MA; Las Vegas, NV; Tampa, FL; Cleveland, OH; and Nashville, TN.
As part of Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home, the distillery and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) will auction off the top barrel of each tree with proceeds going to enlisted service members and their families travel home from their place of military service.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however, travel for these members of the military is on hold because of Department of Defense restrictions. Travel will commence as soon as the restrictions are lifted.
Since its initiation in 2011, Operation Ride Home has helped send 8,583 junior-enlisted service members and their families home, while raising $1.8 million in donations. Men and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been assisted with travel to all 50 states.
“The Jack Daniel Distillery barrel tree has always brought people together to celebrate the spirit of the season and remind us of the sacrifice of so many heroes and their loved ones,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, in a prepared statement. “We hope our friends will stop by and join us to reflect on this special time of year. After all, we all need some extra cheer this holiday season.”
The Jack Daniel’s barrel tree auction began December 1. For more information about acquiring one of the barrels from this year’s trees, head over to the Operation Ride Home official website.