It has to be one of Kentucky’s stranger traditions: Buy a couple of expensive bottles of bourbon you would never think of opening and stand in line all night so famous people can sign the labels.
That was the attraction that drew 1,000 people to Keeneland for this year’s limited edition Maker’s Mark bottle. More than an hour before dawn on Friday, the line to the autograph table finally started moving.
Most of those in line under the Keeneland grandstand had been there all night, through wind and rain. Some had come as early as Thursday morning for a choice spot. They carefully carried a precious bottle or two, juggling them amid folding chairs, blankets and coolers.
The destination was a long table where former University of Kentucky basketball Coach Joe B. Hall, Keeneland President Nick Nicholson and Maker’s Mark President Bill Samuels were chatting with fans and signing bottles as fast as they could.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Jerry Cummins of Cynthiana, who was there to have bottles signed for his brother and a friend.
“They’re not going to be around here next week,” Cummins said of Hall, Nicholson and Samuels. “And they’re getting old like me, so they won’t be around forever.”
Cummins, 58, was especially excited about seeing Hall, a fellow Harrison County native. He said his grandfather and Hall’s father once had adjoining farms, and he had done work for the Hall family.
This year’s blue bottle honored Hall on the 30th anniversary of his team’s 1978 NCAA championship. The limited edition of 18,000 bottles went on sale April 4.
“They were gone in Lexington in about 40 minutes,” said Maker’s Mark spokesman Alan Kirschenbaum. “Statewide, they were gone by the end of the day.”
The blue bottles sold for $45 to $47. All profits, when combined with matching funds, will raise $3 million for the Markey Cancer Foundation.
Fans could have only two bottles signed. Some who waited in line all night were serious collectors. Some planned to sell their bottles or give them to friends. Others were there because they — or someone they love — thought it would be fun. After all, this event combines everything Kentuckians love: basketball, bourbon and talking all night. Plus, it happens at Keeneland.
“I’m a big basketball fan,” said Trinity Schafstall, a Richwood native and UK graduate who drove up from her home in Nashville to wait in line with friends. “We listened to music and talked all night.”
Neil Tewes of Big Bone didn’t know what he would do with his bottles. “Probably put them in a display case and save them for the grandkids, if I ever have any,” he said.
Steve Head came with four relatives from Louisville and spent the night sitting in a folding chair watching DVDs and visiting. This was the fourth year in a row his family has made the trip. But Head didn’t have a bottle of his own to be signed. “I’m just here for the ride,” he said.
Cindi Lindsay of Lexington was on a more serious mission: Add two new bottles to her collection, which is so big she can’t remember how many she has. Lindsay has been coming to this event for 10 years, and she had been waiting in line since 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Asked if she would ever consider opening one of her bottles, she shook her head and laughed. “They’re off limits.
Steve Head of Louisville watched DVDs to pass the time during his all-night wait.
Above photos: Former U.K. Coach Joe B. Hall signed a bottle for fellow Harrison County native Jerry Cummins. Keeneland President Nick Nicholson signed bottles beside Hall and Maker’s Mark President Bill Samuels. Cindi Lindsay of Lexington has been coming to the event for 10 years to add bottles to her collection. Photos/Tom Eblen
April 11, 2008 at 12:14 pm
had to pay $55 in advance at local liquor store, name on a list, looks like they made an extra $8 to $10 bucks off me