September kicks off Bourbon Heritage Month and bourbon buffs across the country are raising a glass to toast their favorite spirit.

Not that bourbon needs the promotion. In fact, over the past 10 years, Kentucky, the birthplace of this amber spirit, has seen a 250% increase in bourbon distilleries.

Bourbon Heritage Month and the Great White Oak

The bourbon boom means more corn, more rye, and more wheat. And, it definitely means more American oak.

As the laws have it, bourbon must be aged for two years in brand new oak barrels – usually white oak. 

So, Kentucky distiller Angel’s Envy started planting American oak trees at the height of bourbon’s rebirth. Five years later, they’re still at it.

This year, they aim to plant 30,000 new American oak trees in the Daniel Boone National Forest. And they’re asking for your help.

#TOASTtheTREES

You tag it, they plant it. Post a photo of Angel’s Envy (bottle or cocktail) to social media with the hashtag #toastthetrees and Angel’s Envy will plant an American oak tree on your behalf.

With more than 245 million people on social, those trees can add up quickly. Since 2014, fans of Angel’s Envy have help plant over 44,000 white oaks. You can add to that total this month with your posts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Angel’s Envy recently kicked off Bourbon Heritage Month at Heartwood Provisions to raise awareness for the need to sustain a thriving white oak tree population. So if you’re in Seattle, stop by during Bourbon Heritage Month, tuck into one of these featured cocktails, and take one for the trees.

Angel’s Buck
Angel’s Envy Bourbon, strawberry, lemon, bitters, ginger beer
Storm Chaser
Bourbon, Cardamaro, tamarind-five spiced demerara, lime
Green Medicine
Angel’s Envy Rye, Sidetrack shiso, Carpano Bianco vermouth, turmeric
Boilermaker
Angel’s Envy Bourbon or Rye and draft beer

Learn more about Toast the Trees program here.