On September 17, Four Roses Distillery employees gathered to take part in the 10th annual Salt River Cleanup, an initiative focused on preserving the river that provides the limestone-rich water essential to the bourbon-making process. 

This year’s cleanup focused on the area behind the distillery, with volunteers removing litter and debris. In total, employees collected 240 pounds of debris from the river and its banks this year. 

This year’s cleanup was once again held in partnership with the Kentucky Waterway Alliance (KWA), a statewide nonprofit that works to protect and restore waterways through community action and advocacy. KWA staff also joined employees onsite. 

“There are so many elements that are imperative to making great bourbon, and having clean, mineral-rich water is one of them,” Brent Elliott, Master Distiller at Four Roses, said in a news release. “As we reflect on 10 years of this initiative, we continue to embrace our responsibility to preserve and protect this resource for generations to come, both within the distillery and throughout the communities we call home.” 

The Salt River plays an important role throughout the bourbon-making process, contributing to fermentation, steam production, and cooling. Since launching the cleanup effort in 2017, Four Roses employees have cleared more than 5,000 pounds of debris from the river bank. 

The annual initiative remains a cornerstone of the Distillery’s sustainability and community engagement efforts. To commemorate the 10th anniversary, Four Roses released a limited Private Barrel Selection at its Lawrenceburg Visitor Center for $120, with half of the proceeds benefiting the Kentucky Waterway Alliance. Elliott selected a 10-year-old OESQ for the release, laid down the same year the distillery’s Salt River Cleanup project began. Each purchase also included a commemorative Salt River Cleanup water bottle as a gift with purchase. 

For more information on Four Roses’ commitment as a community partner, visit fourrosesbourbon.com/responsibility/community-partner. 

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About Four Roses Distillery 

Established in 1888, Four Roses combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, respectively, Four Roses is available in all 50 states. Four Roses has a long tradition of earning widespread recognition across respected spirits competitions, receiving numerous top‑tier honors that underscore the quality and craftsmanship of its super-premium bourbon portfolio. Among these accolades, Four Roses was also named World’s Best Single Barrel at the World Whiskies Awards, further cementing its place among the world’s most celebrated bourbon producers. For more information, visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com.