Ryan Gossage never imagined his love of bourbon would change the lives of children, but since 2020, his Medicinal Whiskey Charity has raised thousands for organizations including Clement’s Kindness Fund and Augusta Pediatric Burn Center.
“I never particularly cared for bourbon in college,” says Gossage. “But in residency friends would get together on Saturdays to watch college football, and we’d bring five- to ten-dollar bottles to share. Some were very good!” When he scored a few prized 2010 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons for a Friendsgiving gathering, his passion for bourbon was ignited.
Gossage, an interventional radiologist, and brother-in-law John Martin, an emergency medicine physician, eventually connected with a group of bourbon-enthusiast physicians from across the Southeast. “We visit distilleries for an on-site tour and experience,” he says. The group selects their barrel from four to ten barrels set aside by the distiller. The bourbon from that particular barrel is then bottled and marked on the label as a special selection.
“We typically bring an old bottle along with us from the ’70s or ’80s to celebrate that particular distillery’s history, too. When the physicians meet up in Kentucky to select barrels, we are often meeting in person for the first time. Medicine and whiskey are our common bond,” says Gossage. “Each time I’ve left with new friends and an unbelievable shared experience. By far, the people we meet such as the distillers and brand ambassadors, the stories told, and memories shared are the best part of our visits.”
After a visit to Buffalo Trace distillery, when the spoils of their trip were divided, the group decided to take the remaining bottles and offer them up for donations. People donated as much as $400-$500 for the leftover one-of-a-kind bottles of bourbon. The group decided to give the money collected to University of Virginia Children’s Hospital and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Gossage knew they were on to something that could fill the needs of some well-deserving families.
Finding the Right Bourbon
“Viscosity and texture,” Gossage says. “I want the whiskey to have an oily, almost buttery consistency. This is a common trait of whiskey produced from 1960 to the 1990s. That is the first characteristic I notice. Next is how much the liquid has interacted with the barrel to draw out those caramelized sugars from the wood.”
Top three epic picks:
- Old Forester King of Kentucky
- 1980s Wild Turkey
- William Larue Weller
Everyday picks for the home bar:
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- Eagle Rare
- Old Forester 1920
Creating a Medicinal Whiskey Smile
Gossage and Martin launched Medicinal Whiskey Charity as a 501c3 in 2020, after Gossage’s niece was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 3. The chronic inflammatory bowel disease affects the lining of the digestive tract. She was part of the reason they decided to focus the charity on pediatric medical needs.
The first event was held November of 2021 and raised fifty thousand dollars each for Clement’s Kindness Fund and The Bi-Lo Charities Children’s Cancer Center. Three hundred people attended the tasting event featuring master distillers and representatives from Bardstown Bourbon, Kentucky Owl Bourbon, and BHAWK. Writer John Tramazzo was there to share featured whiskeys from his book Bourbon and Bullets: True Stories of Whiskey, War, and Military Service.
The next event, a barbecue at Think Tank Brewery, raised fifty thousand dollars. Additionally, in the past two years, one hundred doctors have committed $1,000 a year to help with needs of eight pediatric-focused charities through the organization.
Gossage says one of the most rewarding projects was sponsoring the Augusta Pediatric Burn Center’s Christmas party: “It took place in a large Walmart warehouse, and every kid treated in 2021 was invited for a holiday shopping spree.” Medicinal Whiskey Charity funds, through partner charities, have also purchased medical equipment, and provided rent and household bill assistance for families with children with medical needs.
The next Medicinal Whiskey Charity event is planned for December 10, with proceeds going to University of Kentucky Transplant Center and University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The black-tie event is being held in honor of the retirement of Fred Noe, sixth-generation master distiller at Booker’s Distillery. Noe underwent a kidney transplant, and his doctor is a member of the organization. One of the featured bourbons at the event is a Booker’s first-ever single-barrel limited-edition release, aged for eight years.
“For bourbon fans, this is unheard of, and many won’t believe it actually exists,” says Gossage. Rare bourbons are one of the reasons Medicinal Whiskey events are such a success.
Gossage is now an avid bourbon collector, himself, and has more than one hundred opened bottles in his collection. He enjoys sharing access to his recently upgraded bourbon bunker and has even entertained representatives from Heaven Hill and Four Roses, who have stopped by for a drink.
For more information about upcoming Medicinal Whiskey Charity events, to donate, or information on how to be involved, visit the website at medicinalwhiskeycharity.org, or follow the group on social channels @medicinalwhiskeycharity.
Photography by Jen Jefferson
