Holy spirits: Pope-signed whiskies raise US$27,500

Sotheby’s prayers were answered when two rare Bourbons signed by Pope Francis achieved a combined US$27,500 at auction, with proceeds going to faith-led charities.

On Saturday 7 December two bottles of Bourbon produced by Willett Distillery in Kentucky caused a stir when they fetched US$13,750 each at the Sotheby’s Whisky & Whiskey Seasonal Spirits auction in New York.

The reason behind the frenzied bidding for these bottles was a signature scrawled on each. The pair of whiskies was autographed by Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic church in 2013 and is the first Pope to come from the Americas.

Now 87 years old, Pope Francis had a special interest in the bottles as each was produced to mark a holy occasion. The first Willett bottle commemorates the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ papacy, while the second celebrates the 2025 Jubilee Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ according to Sotheby’s auction house.

Faith-led

The sale, which achieved a total sum of US$1.3 million, will see proceeds from the Pope-signed Bourbons donated to a number of charitable, faith-led organisations including: Southeast Texas Hospice in Orange, Texas; Maxwell Street Legal Immigration Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky; the Diocese of Lexington – Preaching/Giving Ministry of Fr. Jim Sichko; and PAWs 4 the Cause in Lexington, Kentucky.

“These bottles are not just collector’s items—they are symbols of hope and compassion, created to do good in the world,” said Father Jim Sichko, Diocesan Evangelist and Papal Missionary of Mercy.

“I am deeply moved by the generosity of the bidders, and I know the proceeds will make a lasting difference for the charities they support… it’s a testament to the incredible impact we can have when we come together for a greater cause.”

In January 2024, the drinks business reported that Pope Francis had told more than 100 Italian wine producers during a private audience at the Vatican that wine is for everyone, “not just for those who have more opportunities”.

During his welcome address at the event, which was organised by Veronafiere-Vinitaly, Pope Francis told guests that “wine, land, agricultural skills and enterprise are gifts from God.”

Continuing, he stressed that: “The Creator has entrusted all this to us, to our sensitivity and our honesty, so that we can turn them, as the Scriptures say, into a true source of joy for the heart of Man and of every man, not just those who have more opportunities.”

He further acknowledged that “respect, in your field, is certainly fundamental” when it comes to following guidelines including “attention to the environment, work and healthy consumption habits” of alcohol.”

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