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Released: Around October 3, 2024 • Proof: 115.02 • Age: 8 Years 2 Months • Straight Bourbon Whiskey • Cask Strength

When Five Star Liquor in Hot Springs, Arkansas teams up with the Bourbon Club of Arkansas, good things are bound to happen. Their 2024 single-barrel selection — Rare Character “The Aurora” (Barrel No. R10-351) — is another stellar example of Arkansas’s growing influence in the national bourbon scene.
This limited release is a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged 8 years and 2 months, and bottled at 115.02 proof — cask strength, untouched and unfiltered from its original barrel. Only one barrel exists, meaning every bottle in this release comes from that singular source.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Rare Character “The Aurora” |
| Barrel No. | R10-351 |
| Proof | 115.02 (Cask Strength) |
| Age | 8 Years 2 Months |
| Type | Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Selected By | Bourbon Club of Arkansas & Five Star Liquor |
| Release Date | Around October 3, 2024 |
| Location | Hot Springs, Arkansas |
Unlike mass-market releases, this single barrel was hand-selected by experienced palates from both Five Star Liquor and BCA, emphasizing depth, balance, and full-bodied richness.
Expect a classic bourbon profile with a Rare Character twist — deep caramel and vanilla notes layered with oak spice, hints of dried fruit, and that warm Kentucky hug expected from a true cask-strength pour.
Because this is a local collaboration, it’s not just a bottle — it’s a piece of Arkansas bourbon history. Limited supply means collectors will want to grab it quickly before it disappears from the shelf.
Each Rare Character barrel has its own personality, and “The Aurora” lives up to its name — bright, layered, and evolving.
Here’s what enthusiasts can expect:
Enjoy it neat, with a drop of water, or on a single large cube to open up its full bouquet. This bourbon also shines in a high-end Old Fashioned or Boulevardier, where its spice and depth can stand tall.
Local single-barrel picks like this are shaping Arkansas’s bourbon identity.
They show that small groups — passionate store owners and dedicated clubs — can create releases rivaling national names.
With more barrels coming through local partnerships and community tastings, Arkansas continues to emerge as a serious player in bourbon culture. “The Aurora” is proof that our state’s bourbon scene shines just as bright as any in the country.
Founded in 2021 by Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky, Rare Character Whiskey Company set out to bring transparency, creativity, and true individuality to the American whiskey market.
Rather than distilling, Rare Character operates as a non-distilling producer (NDP) — sourcing and curating exceptional barrels from distilleries across the country. Each barrel is meticulously profiled, then bottled under their label with full transparency on age, proof, and origin style.
Rare Character’s signature line, the Single Barrel Series, has become highly collectible. Every bottle features its own barrel code, wax color, and label detail, reflecting the diversity of American bourbon and rye.
Today, Rare Character stands among the most respected names in the modern whiskey community, celebrated for its small-batch precision, open disclosure, and collaborations with some of the nation’s top clubs and retailers — including this partnership right here in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Five Star Liquor
2823 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71913
Follow them on Facebook for updates on upcoming barrel picks and tasting events.