Elijah Craig: The Deatsville Strikes Back

May 6, 2024 – Little Rock, AR

When the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) announced its third Elijah Craig Private Barrel, there was already a buzz in the bourbon community. The release — titled “The Deatsville Strikes Back” — carried both weight and nostalgia. For longtime members, it wasn’t just another pick; it was a triumphant return to the hallowed Deatsville warehouses of Heaven Hill, a location that has achieved near-mythic status among Elijah Craig fans.

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“Deatsville Returns” — The Blind Pick That Started It All

The story of this release began months earlier. On December 3, 2023, BCA administrator Dustin Howell shared the group’s tasting experience on Facebook:

“For those who watched the live tasting… you already know! For those who didn’t… Deatsville returns! We tasted seven samples today blind for our next pick. We didn’t know anything about them and labels were covered. No proofs… no ages… no warehouses! We picked what we truly liked without knowing any specifics other than it was Elijah Craig, and out of seven samples we were shocked to discover that what we decided on was the sample from the only barrel out of the group that came out of Deatsville.”

For Howell and the team, the revelation was serendipitous.

“We didn’t even know a Deatsville barrel was included in the group,” he continued. “Our first EC pick we did was a Deatsville barrel and to this day that is one of our best picks. We are really excited about this barrel and can’t wait for y’all to get these bottles. As always, our goal is to put great whiskey in your glass and I think you’ll agree that we’ve done just that.”

The bourbon world’s fascination with Deatsville isn’t unfounded. The site’s storied rickhouses — perched on Kentucky hillsides with open airflow — are said to impart distinctive depth, richness, and balance to Heaven Hill’s barrels.

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The Official “In Post” — May 6, 2024

When club founder Gary Penna made the official launch post on May 6, 2024, titled “This is the IN Post for Elijah Craig, The Deatsville Strikes Back,” the community response was immediate.

“OK here we go,” Penna wrote. “This is the ‘IN’ post for the Elijah Craig, The Deatsville Strikes Back!!! $79.99 before taxes… I highly suggest that you grab this bottle within the first 24 hours. I’m pretty sure that this one will tie or beat the first Deatsville!!!! Once they are gone, they will be gone!!”

The post detailed the logistics of the release — 216 bottles, with each member limited to one bottle for the first 24 hours to ensure fair access. Penna also announced a special raffle coordinated by Justin from Ace Liquor, offering buyers the chance to purchase rare bottles at MSRP.

“Justin from Ace Liquor is going to hold a raffle for anyone that purchases one of these bottles,” Penna wrote. “One raffle ticket per person… It’s A LOT!!! Thank you very much Justin for taking care of Team BCA!!!”

The structure mirrored previous successful BCA releases, underscoring the club’s blend of fairness, excitement, and community spirit that has defined its growing legacy.

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A Victory Worth Celebrating

Just two months later, The Deatsville Strikes Back would become one of BCA’s most celebrated releases. In July 2024, Gary Penna reflected on the club’s journey and their recent honors at the ASCOT Awards, where The Deatsville Strikes Back earned Double Platinum recognition:

“I would’ve never imagined six years ago that we’d be here today with over 30 barrel picks and two of them award winners, and one that made the Final Four for overall champion!! 🤯🤯🤯,” Penna wrote. “We are small, but we are strong, strong with passionate whiskey nerds—ok, aficionados 😂—who make this fun and rewarding! Great job BCA for being the best club in the country (Now it is official!!)”

He went on to thank the team that helped make BCA what it is today — from the original admins Tyler Shinabery, Aaron Parsley, Tre’ Santifer, and Alan Myers, to current leaders Dustin Howell, Justin Mills, Jeremiah Cotner, David Chaloupka, and Josh McKibben.

Penna also expressed gratitude to the store partners who supported the group: Justin Pierce, Parwinder “Happy” Singh, and Sam Rad.

“Without their support we would never have grown the portfolio we currently have,” he said. “We are on pick #31 right now (that to be released soon!!)”

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More Than a Pick — A Legacy

“The Deatsville Strikes Back” wasn’t just a clever name — it symbolized the return of something special. What began as a blind tasting evolved into an award-winning barrel that united Arkansas whiskey enthusiasts and cemented BCA’s reputation nationally.

For fans who managed to secure a bottle, the label itself — referencing the Star Wars sequel of the same name — became a collectible emblem of BCA’s growing influence in the bourbon world.

From blind faith to barrel-proof success, the Bourbon Club of Arkansas proved once again that great whiskey isn’t just found — it’s earned.

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🥃 Bottle Details

• Name: Elijah Craig – The Deatsville Strikes Back
• Release Date: May 6, 2024
• Price: $79.99 before tax
• Producer: Heaven Hill Distillery
• Selected By: Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)
• Store Partner: Ace Liquor
• Bottles Produced: 216
• Recognition: Double Platinum – 2024 ASCOT Awards

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About the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)

Founded in 2019 by Gary Penna, the Bourbon Club of Arkansas has grown into one of the nation’s most respected whiskey clubs. With more than 30 unique barrel picks and a dedication to blind tasting and community engagement, BCA continues to set a high bar for local and regional whiskey collaborations.