0 proof local 'Pappy' sellers linked to stolen bourbon

Kentucky authorities are checking out local Craigslist listings for Pappy Van Winkle bourbon as part of an investigation into stolen bourbon worth tens of thousands of dollars.

A $10,000 reward is being offered by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department for information leading to the arrest of whoever stole 65 cases of the 20-year-old bourbon, as well as nine cases of 13-year-old Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, from the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky.

The theft occurred in October, and the total haul was valued at $25,000.

People in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas are selling bottles of the expensive liquor on eBay and Craigslist, asking as much as $1,200 for a single 23-year-old bottle.

Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said investigators are monitoring those sites, but at this point listings in Southwest Ohio do not appear to be connected.

"Since this all happened six weeks ago, (bourbon) prices have gone up on this stuff," Melton said. "It's rare as it is, but now it's at a premium."

Melton said since news of the reward was announced Monday, his office has received more than 30 tips from phone calls and Facebook.

"There's only so much of this bourbon to go around," he said. "We are getting help from area bourbon connoisseurs because they know that there's not much of it still out there."

To provide a tip, call the Franklin County Sheriff's Department at (502) 320-3306.

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