During a recent visit to Kentucky where they operate The Ripken Experience Elizabethtown, Ripken Baseball co-founders Cal Ripken, Jr., and Bill Ripken visited the Maker’s Mark Distillery to create The Ripken Blend through the distillery’s custom barrel program, Maker’s Mark Private Selection.

Exploring their own taste visions of Maker’s Mark, the baseball icons personally crafted the blend of bourbon, named The Ripken Blend, which will be available to baseball coaches from across America who register their teams to play at The Ripken Experience Elizabethtown in 2024 (restrictions apply).  

The Ripken Blend Private Selection will feature about 248 bottles, autographed by Cal and Bill. This marks the first time the Ripken brothers have crafted a signature bourbon. 

“Bill and I had a lot of fun with the Maker’s Mark team on the Bourbon Trail in beautiful Kentucky,” Cal Ripken, Jr., said in a news release. “The end result will be a unique piece of memorabilia for some of our coaches that will remind them of their baseball memories in Elizabethtown for years to come.” 

In addition to being home to Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Ky., Star Hill Farm is a destination offering tours that give guests a deeper look at the 1,100 acres of expansive natural land on which Maker’s Mark Bourbon is crafted; true farm-to-table food and beverage experiences at Star Hill Provisions restaurant; and a sense and setting of hospitality that embodies the Kentucky spirit. 

“This special blend will be one of the most unique ‘only in Kentucky’ collectibles for baseball coaches. Whether the bottles are shared, saved, or displayed, we hope they enjoy taking a little piece of Kentucky back home with them,” Janna Clark, Executive Director of Elizabethtown Tourism, said. 

There are three ways for coaches to receive an autographed bottle of The Ripken Blend:

1. Register for one (1) Week-Long Experience at The Ripken Experience Elizabethtown 

2. Register for one (1) Knockout Tournament and one (1) 4-Game Classic or 3-Game Tournament at The Ripken Experience Elizabethtown 

3. Register for three (3) Total Tournaments, including one (1) Spring or Fall Tournament at The Ripken Experience Elizabethtown 

Coaches can call Ripken Baseball at 410-306-7575 or visit RipkenBaseball.com for more information.