Today, it is an unfortunate reality that there is no shortage of ongoing local community needs across America. Disaster relief is a big one, urban homelessness, infrastructure concerns, and so many others we could list. Much as we would like to, we cannot solve all of the world’s problems with a glass of whiskey, however, one of the leading Irish whiskey brands, Proper No. Twelve is making a bold effort to make a difference. Their initiative is called, The One For All project, and it represents their commitment to support American firefighters.
For the leadership at Proper No. Twelve, determining that the One For All initiative was the direction they wanted to go was not a difficult decision. According to their Spokesperson, “…giving back has always been core to Proper No. Twelve’s mission — a brand built for the bold, the hardworking, and those who never back down from a challenge. To date, we’ve donated over $5 million to first responder organizations worldwide. When we learned that 72% of U.S. fire departments are underfunded and often lack basic resources, it was clear we had to do more and could unify around a national crisis that all communities would get behind. That’s where the One for All Project comes in. We recognized an opportunity to make a lasting, meaningful difference, not just through donations, but through a long-term commitment to support local firehouses nationwide. Firefighters show up for us without hesitation, and this initiative is our way of showing up for them.”
I’m a fan of Irish whiskey, and I could not help but wonder how does an Irish whiskey brand like Proper No. Twelve “fit” the ethos of American firefighters; in other words, what is it about Irish whiskey that makes it work so well with this initiative?
the answer is, “Proper No. Twelve has proudly supported first responders across Ireland, Europe, and the U.S. since launching back in 2018, with an outsized focus on supporting firefighters. Giving back to first responders is more than a mission; it’s who we are at our core. Many of our consumers come from Irish American communities in key U.S. cities and often have strong, multigenerational ties to local first responder organizations. That deep connection makes our commitment to supporting these heroes especially meaningful.”
Even without this cultural connection, I would be reluctant to pass Proper No. Twelve on the shelf without picking it up. Proper No. Twelve is true to the style of blended Irish whiskey, created from a combination of grain (column still) and single malt whiskeys. Their resulting spirit is then aged in ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of three years and that imparts a signature rich flavor and a smooth finish. It is a well-crafted and tasty expression which stands up to any Irish whiskey in its class. If you are looking for a classic-style Irish expression for mixing or sipping, Proper No. Twelve fits that bill well. For the sake of brevity, I won’t list the many awards that this expression has won; I will summarize that these awards are a testament to the fact that a lot of people enjoy Proper No. Twelve for good reason.
All of this had me wondering if the folks at Proper No. Twelve have plans to expand the One for All initiative.
“We’ve been inspired by the overwhelming support for this initiative across not just the firefighting network, but also from leading retailers who want to find ways to support their local firehouses. We’re looking forward to expanding our grants in 2026 and continuing to uphold our commitment to giving back to first responders.”
The people at Proper No. Twelve have a commitment and passion for producing fine Irish whiskey, and doing it well. It is clear that with their One For All initiative that same commitment and passion doesn’t end at the bottling line.
