Kentucky Governor Wagers Whiskey - A Lot of It - on NCAA Championship - East Idaho News
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Kentucky Governor Wagers Whiskey — A Lot of It — on NCAA Championship

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Getty 040714 BeshearMalloy?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1396911164225Chip Somodevilla/Alex WongGetty Images(NEW YORK) — When the University of Kentucky and University of Connecticut go head to head in Monday night’s NCAA title basketball game, it won’t just be a trophy that’s on the line.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy — both Democrats — are following what has become a ritual among state politicians, putting up friendly wagers on their state’s home teams.

For Connecticut, Malloy’s office is putting up wine from the Jones Family Farms in Shelton, beer from Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford and Munson’s chocolates.

Beshear, on the other hand, is so confident in his Wildcats that he is breaking out the state’s liquor cabinet — and then some.

The Kentucky bourbon basket Beshear is wagering includes 13 different brands of whiskey — Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Bulleit Bourbon, Four Roses, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Town Branch, Willett, Old Pogue, Michter’s and Corsair Bourbon.

The basket, provided by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, will also have “barware, glasses, apparel and accessories to conduct a priceless bourbon tasting,” according to a statement from Beshear’s office.

“Governor Malloy is a terrific governor and friend,” Beshear said in a statement, “but come Tuesday morning, he will be shipping his wager to Bourbon and Wildcat Country!”

Beshear already put up the bourbon basket in a wager with Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for the Wildcats game last Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Kentucky’s win sealed the team a spot in the national championship, and meant Walker had to send Beshear’s office beer, bratwurst and cheese.

The national championship game tips off Monday night at 9:10 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

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