Evan Williams Bourbon has unveiled its 2025 class of American-Made Heroes, featuring six military veterans on limited-edition bottles available nationwide. The program, which launched in 2015, has now honored more than 60 veteran heroes and donated $675,000 to nonprofits supporting veteran communities across America.
The Kentucky-based distillery will showcase these veterans on special editions of both Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch. Each veteran represents a nonprofit organization that received 2024 Veteran Community Action Grants from the Evan Williams American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund.
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch American Hero Edition
The Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch American Hero Edition carries special significance this year. The 2025 American-Made Heroes personally selected the whiskey straight from the barrels. Each bottle includes a hang tag highlighting all six inspiring veterans and their service stories.
Named for the year Evan Williams founded Kentucky’s first distillery, the 1783 Small Batch is an award-winning, extra-aged small batch bourbon bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). The suggested retail price stands at $23.99 for the 750-milliliter bottle and $37.99 for the 1.75-liter size.
The standard Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon American Hero Edition takes a different approach. Every “star-spangled bottle” highlights one of the six nonprofit organizations represented by this year’s heroes. The 1.75-liter bottle carries a suggested retail price of $24.99.
Heroes Represent Diverse Service and Community Impact
The 2025 honorees include Captain Ralph Galati, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam who later served at the Pentagon and now supports the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association. Major Chuck Ziegenfuss founded Hero Labradors after his own service dog helped him recover from life-threatening injuries sustained in Iraq.
Other heroes include Petty Officer Second Class Son Nguyen, who started VETCares Inc. to help veterans adjust to civilian life, and Lieutenant Colonel April Brown, who volunteers with The Kentucky National Guard Memorial after nearly 30 years of military service.
First Sergeant Alvin King founded the Range Fore Hope Foundation, promoting golf as a wellness resource for veterans, while Sergeant Erica Walker leads The Warriors for Freedom Foundation, providing mental health support programs.
“Each year, we are humbled by the incredible veterans who continue to lead and inspire their communities,” said Carrie Shain, senior brand manager at Evan Williams Bourbon. “This year’s American-Made Hero Editions bring their stories into the hands of bourbon lovers nationwide, serving as a reminder of the bravery and resilience that define the American spirit.”
The American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund & Where To Buy
The American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, established in 2020, builds on the brand’s decade-long support of veteran communities. All featured veterans are affiliated with organizations that previously received grants from this fund, creating a cycle of continued support for veteran-focused initiatives.
Both limited-edition bottles are now available at retailers nationwide, with each purchase supporting the ongoing mission to honor American veterans and their service to communities across the country.
Read the full article at Evan Williams Honors Six Veterans with 2025 American-Made Heroes Bourbon Bottles
