2026 ASCOT Awards
Bourbon Club of Arkansas Wins Best Single Barrel Pick
Our Elliott Brothers Reserve selection was named Best Single Barrel Pick at the 2026 ASCOT Awards—building on its earlier Double Platinum medal and marking another national milestone for Arkansas bourbon.
Award
Best Single Barrel Pick
Medal
Double Platinum
Age
10 Years
Strength
130 Proof / 65% ABV
Finish
Malbec Wine Casks
Our Award Story
A National Win Built on a Single Barrel and a Shared Palate
The official 2026 ASCOT Awards Best in Category results list Bourbon Club of Arkansas – Elliott Brothers Reserve as the winner for Best Single Barrel Pick.
For us, this is more than another award. A private selection represents a specific barrel, a specific group of people and a decision about what deserves to carry the Bourbon Club of Arkansas name. This recognition confirms that the whiskey we selected could stand beside exceptional picks from across the country.
The barrel was selected here. The honor was earned nationally. The pride belongs to Arkansas.
The Winning Selection
Elliott Brothers Reserve
This 10-year bourbon was presented at 130 proof and finished in Malbec wine casks. Before being named Best Single Barrel Pick, it earned a Double Platinum Medal in the 2026 ASCOT Awards.
Age: 10 Years
Proof: 130 / 65% ABV
Finish: Malbec Wine Casks
Recognition: Double Platinum
ASCOT tasting notes highlighted deep oak, caramel, hazelnut, butterscotch, sweet caramel, corn notes and a long finish with barrel spice.
From Selection to National Category Winner
Three Stages of Recognition
01
The Barrel Selection
A private pick starts with judgment: evaluating the whiskey, trusting the profile and choosing the barrel that should represent our club.
02
Double Platinum
The bottle first proved itself in medal judging, earning one of the strongest distinctions awarded by the ASCOT competition.
03
Best Single Barrel Pick
The category win went beyond medal recognition and placed our Elliott Brothers Reserve selection at the top of the field.
Our 2026 ASCOT Awards Run
Five Medals. Two Double Platinums. One Best in Category.
Elliott Brothers Reserve is the headline, but it is also part of a broader year of national recognition for BCA-associated releases.
Double Platinum + Best Pick
Elliott Brothers Reserve
The award-winning 10-year, 130-proof Malbec-finished selection.
Double Platinum
Russell’s Reserve “Baby Billy’s Reserve”
A BCA collaboration recognized at the competition’s highest medal level.
Platinum
Elijah Craig “The Light Side”
A BCA Elijah Craig private barrel that earned Platinum recognition.
Gold
Elijah Craig “The Darkside”
A second Elijah Craig selection that added another medal to the BCA year.
Gold
Barrel King “HELLO DARKNESS #BCA1”
A BCA private blend that brought a different kind of club-created whiskey to the medal list.
Why This Award Matters
A Category Win Recognizes the People Behind the Pick
A medal says the whiskey performed well. A category win says the selection rose above the field.
Private barrel selections are built on trust. Members trust the people evaluating the whiskey. Retail partners trust the club’s palate. Producers trust that the group can recognize quality and represent the release responsibly.
Winning Best Single Barrel Pick validates the work that happens before a bottle ever reaches a member: tasting, comparing, discussing and choosing the barrel that best represents Bourbon Club of Arkansas.
For our members, this award is recognition of the community, relationships and shared experiences behind every BCA selection.
Arkansas Whiskey on the National Stage
Arkansas Is Not Watching from the Sidelines Anymore
Local clubs, retailers and whiskey groups are helping build a stronger culture across the state. Our ASCOT Awards success shows that the work happening in Arkansas is meaningful locally—and competitive nationally.
Arkansas whiskey is not just participating. It is winning.
Frequently Asked Questions
BCA and the 2026 ASCOT Awards
Did Bourbon Club of Arkansas win Best Single Barrel Pick?
Yes. The 2026 ASCOT Awards Best in Category results list Bourbon Club of Arkansas – Elliott Brothers Reserve as the winner for Best Single Barrel Pick.
Which bottle won the award?
Elliott Brothers Reserve won Best Single Barrel Pick for Bourbon Club of Arkansas.
Did Elliott Brothers Reserve also earn a medal?
Yes. Elliott Brothers Reserve previously earned a Double Platinum Medal at the 2026 ASCOT Awards.
How many medals did BCA-associated releases earn in 2026?
BCA-associated releases earned five medals: two Double Platinum medals, one Platinum medal and two Gold medals.
Celebrating the People, Palate and Community Behind the Pick
This award reflects the tastings, selections, collaborations and friendships that continue to shape Bourbon Club of Arkansas.
