Conor McGregor Announces $1M Proper No. Twelve Donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Conor McGregor is used to knocking opponents out fast, and he has brought that finesse and ferocity to the spirits industry.

His Irish whiskey, Proper No. Twelve, sold through a six-month supply in its first ten days on the market. One month in, Proper No. Twelve had completely sold out.

As the brand noted, they sold more cases in less than a month than some whiskey brands move in an entire year.

This led to a McGregor apology in 2018. Of course, it came from the man known as Notorious: he apologized for his Irish whiskey selling out so quickly.

“I don’t usually see reason to apologize but in this case I want to take this chance to apologize to absolutely everyone for our out-of-stock situation,” McGregor said. “I was at the distillery last week and we have plans in place to be back in stock in Ireland and the United States in early December and onward.”

Still, that apology was slightly less aggressive than one he made in 2016 after he knocked Eddie Alvarez and claimed another record: the first UFC fighter to hold the title of champion in two weight classes at the same time.

“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart,” said McGregor while standing in the Octagon, "I’d like to take this chance to apologize…to absolutely nobody.”

As many MMA fans and websites stated at the time, the double-champ does what the double-champ wants. And now Notorious wants to not only give back but encourage others to follow his lead and do the same.

Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

For every case of Proper No. Twelve sold, $5 is donated to local First Responder organizations or charities, up to $1 million annually. It’s first year on the market, the brand sold more than 200,000 cases.

McGregor has announced that Proper No. Twelve is donating $1 million to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a New York-based organization that honors the sacrifice and legacy of firefighter Stephen Siller by providing support to the families of firefighters and law enforcement officers who were lost in the line of duty across the United States. Tunnel to Towers also supports military veterans.

Proper No. Twelve will donate $300,000 organizations that support First Responders in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. You can follow McGregor and Proper No. Twelve’s lead by following this link to donate to Tunnel to Towers.

We asked McGregor five questions about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll also find recipes for Proper No. Twelve cocktails to help you and your guests celebrate March 17 properly.

Sláinte!

Conor McGregor holding Proper No. Twelve inside a bar

How do you think Americans should celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Everyone around the world is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. There is only one way to celebrate with your best mates on one hand and a bottle of Proper No. Twelve in the other.  Last year, I was in Chicago and Boston for each city’s parade, and Americans know how to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. The energy was insane. Hundreds of thousands of people came out to celebrate the Emerald Isle.  

Do you have a favorite Irish pub in America?

My favourite Irish Pub is any pub that serves my Proper Whiskey. Those are my favourites because they not only support my brand but they support First Responders as we donate $5 for every case sold to First Responder charities and organizations around the world.

Which Proper No. Twelve cocktail is your favorite?

It depends on the time of day or night. For the true Irishman, its Proper neat. I usually like to have one in the evening with my dinner. I also enjoy a Proper & Ginger or a Proper Old Fashioned—those are quite tasty! Sometimes late night or with my breakfast, a Proper Irish Coffee really hits the spot. So, now that I answered your question the way I wanted to answer it, what’s your favourite Proper Twelve cocktail?

For the record, my favorite Proper No. Twelve cocktail is the Dublin 12 Old Fashioned (listed below). What's your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and wow are you going to celebrate this year?

I will be spending Paddy’s Day with my friends and family in Dublin this year. Last year, I was in America and it was great fun being with so many of our customers and loyal Proper Whiskey drinkers. I am looking forward to doing that again soon.

What's your go-to St. Patrick's Day meal?

On Paddy’s Day, I eat anything my mom puts on the table. Take it from me, always listen to your mother.  

Proper No. Twelve Dublin 12 Old Fashioned cocktail

Dublin 12 Old Fashioned

Recipe courtesy of Proper No. Twelve

  • 2 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 1 barspoon Simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
  • Lemon wedge and cherry to garnish

In a lowball glass, add Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, simple syrup and bitters. Add ice to the glass and stir together. Garnish with lemon wedge and cherry.

A Proper Coffee made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

A Proper Coffee

Created by Sonny Verdini, Bar Manager, TRADE (Boston) 

  • 2 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 1.5 oz. Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Mandarine Napoleon liqueur
  • 0.5 oz. Bénédictine
  • Hand-whipped cream and coffee beans to garnish

Shake/Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with hand whipped cream and coffee beans.

Shamrock Out Knockout cocktail made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

Shamrock Out Knockout

Created by Sonny Verdini, Bar Manager, TRADE (Boston)

  • 1.5 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 1 oz. Cinnamon syrup
  • 0.75oz. Housemade ginger liquor 
  • 0.5oz. Lemon juice
  • 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Cinnamon sugar lemon wheel to garnish

Shake into a single rocks glass. Garnished with a dehydrated, cinnamon sugar lemon wheel.

The Mad Mac cocktail made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

The Mad Mac

Recipe by Gavin McMonigle, Piss & Vinegar (Philadelphia)

  • 2 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 1 part Mexican coffee liqueur 
  • 2 scoops Mint chocolate ice cream

Hard shake all ingredients in a tin with crushed ice. Strain into 6-oz. Irish coffee glass and serve.

Proper Irish Toddy cocktail made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

Proper Irish Toddy

Recipe by Allison Doughty of Distilled NY

  • 2 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 0.75 oz. Lemon juice 
  • 0.50 oz. Honey syrup
  • 0.25 oz. Ginger syrup
  • 5 oz. Hot water to top
  • Lemon wheel with cloves to garnish
  • Shaved cinnamon on top to garnish

Warm a heat-safe Irish coffee mug/glass with boiling water. While glassware warms, prepare lemon wheel with cloves. Pour out hot water, add fresh hot water, add syrups, and stir. Add Proper No. Twelve and lemon juice, and stir. Top with hot water and garnish.

Proper Paddy's Punch cocktail made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

Proper Paddy’s Punch

Recipe courtesy of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

  • 1 bottle Proper No. Twelve Whiskey
  • 1 12-oz. Can lemonade
  • 1 Cup Fresh lemon juice
  • 250ml Red wine top top
  • 3 Lemons, Sliced into Wheels, for Garnish
  • Lemon slices to garnish

In a large punch bowl, add Proper No. Twelve, lemonade, and fresh lemon juice. Refrigerate overnight. Add ice and stir. Top with red wine and lemon slices for garnish.

Proper Corner Punch made with Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

Proper Corner Punch

Recipe by Ryan "Chubbs" Pasquale, Tattooed Mom (Philadelphia)

  • 12 oz. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
  • 2 oz. Simple syrup
  • 3 oz. Fresh lemon juice 
  • 6 oz. Lemon-lime soda
  • Lemon wedge to garnish

In a pitcher with ice, combine Proper No. Twelve, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Stir well, then fill/top off with lemon-lime soda. Serve in frosted mugs with a lemon wedge.

Resources

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Proper No. Twelve website

Proper No. Twelve Instagram

Proper No. Twelve Twitter

Proper No. Twelve Facebook

Proper No. Twelve YouTube