The worlds of bourbon and conservation have found common ground in an unexpected way. A distillery and a wildlife organization have joined forces, creating what may be the first bourbon specifically branded to support wild turkey conservation efforts.
Turkeys For Tomorrow has partnered with Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon to launch a special edition spirit aimed at raising both awareness and funds for wild turkey populations across the country. The collaboration, announced in mid-December through an online campaign, represents a novel approach to wildlife fundraising that taps into America's passion for quality spirits.
"We hope that everyone will take a pour for the poults, as this bourbon is for the birds," said Jason Lupardus, CEO of Turkeys For Tomorrow.
The partnership didn't happen by chance. Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon, which was founded in 2018 by former professional basketball player Russ Smith and his partner Cecy Linzey, has long recognized the environmental connections between their industry and wildlife conservation. For bourbon producers, white oak forests are essential—the barrels that age the whiskey must be made from American white oak. These same forests provide critical habitat for numerous species, including wild turkeys.
Smith explained the natural synergy between the two organizations. "I'm well aware of the issues that face the white oak stand, but also how that impacts wildlife on the other side," he said. "It just made a lot of sense for us to tap into this—knowing that we could give back and present TFT with an opportunity that no one else really had to give them. This will be the first conservation organization that has their own bourbon, and for a good cause at that."
The release itself has been carefully structured to maximize both exclusivity and impact. Rather than flooding the market, only two barrels are being offered in this initial launch. This strategic scarcity is intentional, according to Smith, who wants the product to feel special and collectible. Each of the roughly 500 bottles will be hand numbered, with some reserved for auction to the highest bidders. Collectors will have the chance to own bottles numbered one through ten, or select other specific numbers from the limited run.
Most bottles won't hit retail shelves. Instead, they'll be available direct to consumers through TFTBourbon.com. This approach allows the partnership to maintain control over distribution while directing more proceeds toward conservation efforts.
The official unveiling will take place at a private event scheduled for March 13, 2026, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky—the heart of bourbon country. The ticketed affair, priced at $500 per person, doubles as a fundraiser for Turkeys For Tomorrow. Beyond the bourbon itself, attendees will have opportunities to bid on or win other items, including a Benelli shotgun, burned barrel lids, and specialty glassware. Smith described the event as a way to bring together members and VIPs around the bourbon while officially debuting it to those most invested in the cause.
"Overall, this is a way for us to come together around the bourbon and officially debut it to members and VIPs," Smith said.
The journey of Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon from concept to market reflects the kind of patience that bourbon itself requires. Smith spent years working alongside some of Kentucky's most respected master distillers before launching the company. By 2018, the operation had laid down approximately 100,000 barrels. Those barrels then sat aging for four years before Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon officially came to market in 2022.
The wait proved worthwhile. The brand quickly established itself across Kentucky, then expanded its footprint. Today, Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon is available on store shelves in eight states, with online sales reaching 49 states. This distribution network provides the infrastructure needed to make the Turkeys For Tomorrow partnership viable on a national scale.
The collaboration represents more than just a marketing opportunity. It highlights the interconnected nature of land management, resource conservation, and wildlife preservation. White oak forests that provide barrel wood also offer the mast crops, nesting sites, and cover that wild turkeys need to thrive. When bourbon companies invest in sustainable forestry practices, they're simultaneously supporting the ecosystems that hunters and wildlife watchers cherish.
For those who appreciate both fine spirits and wild places, this partnership offers a tangible way to support conservation while enjoying a quality product. Each bottle purchased contributes directly to Turkeys For Tomorrow's mission of ensuring healthy wild turkey populations for future generations.
The timing of the launch also aligns with growing interest in conservation-minded consumerism. More people are looking for ways their purchasing decisions can make a positive impact beyond the immediate transaction. A bottle of bourbon that funds habitat restoration or research projects offers that sense of purpose while delivering the quality and experience enthusiasts expect from a premium spirit.
The limited availability may frustrate some potential buyers, but it also creates anticipation and ensures that those who do obtain a bottle have something genuinely special. In a market saturated with countless bourbon offerings, standing out requires more than just good whiskey—it requires a story, a purpose, and an experience that extends beyond the glass.
Whether this becomes a one-time collaboration or the start of an ongoing partnership remains to be seen. But as the first conservation organization to have its own branded bourbon, Turkeys For Tomorrow has carved out unique territory in both the spirits and wildlife conservation worlds.
For bourbon enthusiasts who also value wild spaces and the creatures that inhabit them, this release offers a rare opportunity to indulge in their passion while supporting a cause that ensures those wild places remain wild. And for conservationists looking for innovative funding streams, it demonstrates that partnerships with unexpected industries can open new doors and reach new audiences.
The bottles will eventually be empty, but the impact of this collaboration could resonate far longer, supporting wild turkey conservation efforts while proving that sometimes the best partnerships come from the most unlikely places.
