BCA LIVE • BLIND TASTING • CLUB UPDATE
Holladay Wins the Blind
Four BCA favorites entered the glasses blind. The youngest whiskey on the table finished first.
In the full BCA Live, Gary Penna tastes Holladay Soft Red Wheat, Barrel King Dark Matter, Larceny Barrel Proof and Elliott Brothers without knowing which whiskey is in each glass—then shares updates on Mash & Vine, future membership concepts and two BCA barrel picks on the way.
WATCH THE BCA LIVE
Watch Gary taste all four whiskeys blind and hear the club updates in his own words.
Winner: Holladay Soft Red Wheat
Approximately six years old • First place on this night
Four Bottles. One Blind.
The lineup brought together four very different BCA-associated whiskeys. Removing the labels meant age, reputation and awards could not influence the order before the whiskey hit the palate.
| Whiskey | BCA connection |
|---|---|
| Holladay Soft Red Wheat | BCA single-barrel selection; youngest whiskey in this blind. |
| Barrel King Dark Matter | BCA’s 2026 Bourbon Games champion blend. |
| Larceny Barrel Proof | BCA’s “Grand Theft Bottle” wheated bourbon selection. |
| Elliott Brothers Reserve | BCA’s 2026 ASCOT Best Single Barrel Pick winner. |
The question: if the labels disappeared, which whiskey would Gary choose?
THE REVEAL
Holladay Takes the Night
- Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon
- Barrel King Dark Matter
- Larceny Barrel Proof
- Elliott Brothers Reserve
When Gary revealed the glasses, Holladay had finished first. That put the approximately six-year whiskey ahead of Dark Matter, Larceny Barrel Proof and Elliott Brothers on his palate that evening.
Gary also emphasized that whiskey can show differently from one night to the next. A favorite may move the next time around. This ranking belongs to this blind on this night—but Holladay earned the win.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — four-bottle lineup or Holladay beside the blind glasses
Why Blind Tasting Matters
Labels can set expectations before the first sip. Scarcity, price, age statements and brand reputation influence what we think we are supposed to taste. A blind removes much of that information and makes the whiskey compete on aroma, flavor, texture and finish.
Gary connected that idea to his recent ASCOT Awards judging. In his judging group, roughly 50 samples were evaluated and eight reached a score of 90 or higher. Seven of those eight were Buffalo Trace products—an example of a major reputation being reinforced rather than merely assumed through blind judging.
The glass gets the final vote.
See the BCA Blind Whiskey of the Year 2026 rankings and our 2026 ASCOT Awards coverage.
MASH & VINE
Mash & Vine Gives BCA a Place to Gather
One of the biggest club updates had nothing to do with the four glasses. Gary talked about Mash & Vine Market becoming a permanent home base for BCA instead of the club continuing to move among different venues.
Complimentary tastings are already taking place, with larger wine or whiskey tastings commonly scheduled on Fridays around 5–7 p.m. Once the speakeasy is operational, the concept expands to a full tasting bar and a more permanent environment for BCA gatherings, releases and member experiences.
Mash & Vine is also the retail partner for BCA’s Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel #00177.
Membership Waits Until the Experience Is Ready
Gary said BCA does not intend to begin charging members until the speakeasy is operational and the club can provide an experience that justifies the cost.
FOUNDERS CLUB
About $100 / month
- Limited initial membership
- Roughly 25 members used as a starting-size example
- Dedicated speakeasy time
- Selected pours and merchandise
- Club jacket
- Priority access and allocation benefits
Members Club
About $60 / year
- Focused primarily on access to BCA barrel picks
- Future tier system for releases and access
- Designed to provide tangible value during the year
- Final benefits and launch timing still subject to change
These were concepts and approximate prices discussed during the Live, not an announcement that enrollment is open. Final pricing, benefits, capacity and launch timing may change.
WHAT’S COMING NEXT
Two Very Different BCA Releases
BCA has grown to more than 400 members, which means the club needs more barrel opportunities if it wants to give as many members as possible a fair chance to participate.
ACCESSIBLE RELEASE
BCA Buffalo Trace
230–250 bottles
Already bottled at the time of the Live and expected to arrive roughly within the next month if shipping stayed on schedule.
- Limit: one bottle per person
- Expected price: around $30, plus tax
- Status: bottled and awaiting arrival
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Buffalo Trace selection or bottle
THE LIMITED ONE
Buckner’s
13 Years
Gary described this as the BCA pick he has been most excited about to date, calling out its nose, mouthfeel and flavor.
- Expected price: more than $200
- Yield: around 140 bottles or fewer
- Allocation: likely a randomizer
- Milestone: oldest straight whiskey BCA has selected
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Buckner’s 13-Year selection or bottle
Age Is a Tool, Not a Guarantee
The Buckner’s discussion led into a broader point: more years in oak do not automatically make a barrel better. Extended aging generally brings more oak influence and tannin, and balance can become harder to preserve as whiskey moves into the 13-, 15- and older age ranges.
That is part of what makes the Buckner’s barrel interesting to Gary. BCA found a mature 13-year whiskey that stood out as a single selection rather than simply chasing the largest age statement available.
Older is impressive. Balanced is better.
NEXT BLIND?
Holladay May Have Earned Another Challenge
Gary mentioned opening Cream of Kentucky Single Barrel #00177 and putting it head-to-head with the Holladay in another blind, potentially with additional bottles in the lineup.
One Blind Down. Plenty More Whiskey Ahead.
The Holladay result was a reminder that a label can set expectations, but the whiskey still has to perform in the glass. Meanwhile, BCA continues moving forward with a permanent gathering place, future membership ideas and barrel releases ranging from an approachable Buffalo Trace pick to a scarce 13-year Buckner’s.
For BCA members, there is a lot to look forward to.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — final BCA Live photo or tasting-table image