BCA Takes Home Three Double Platinum Honors at the ASCOT Awards

Little Rock, AR — The Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) earned a standout haul at the ASCOT Awards, with three entries recognized as Double Platinum–level winners in the Single Barrel Pick competition: Elijah Craig “The Deatsville Strikes Back,” Elliot Brothers, and Rare Character “The Aurora.” The ASCOT Awards—organized by spirits authority Fred Minnick’s American Spirits Council of Tasters—announce category medalists in early June each year, followed by Best in Show later in the month, spotlighting the industry’s top single barrels and limited releases.

The Winning BCA Entries (Single Barrel Pick – Straight Bourbon)

Elijah Craig “The Deatsville Strikes Back”

ASCOT’s listing shows this BCA entry in the Taste Competition | Single Barrel Pick | Straight Bourbon class. Judging notes highlight layered brown sugar and nutmeg, a warm, balanced finish, and overall exuberant praise (“I simply love this whiskey!”). Entry details: 59.75% ABV (119.5 proof), age 8 years. (Note: ASCOT’s page title spells it “Deastsville Stikes Back”; the Deatsville rickhouse reference suggests “Deatsville Strikes Back.”)

Elliot Brothers

Also entered under Single Barrel Pick | Straight Bourbon, judges remarked on a fragrant, warm spice nose, cherry crisp aromatics, and a well-balanced fruit-and-oak profile. Entry details: 63% ABV (126 proof), age 10 years.

Rare Character “The Aurora”

A third BCA Single Barrel Pick winner, described by judges as offering dried fruits, spice, vanilla custard, great mouthfeel, and a lovely finish. Entry details: 57.51% ABV (115.0 proof), age 8.2 years.

About the ASCOT Awards Timing & Levels

ASCOT medals (Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum) are announced in early June; in 2025 multiple producers publicly shared Double Platinum announcements the week of June 2–6, and ASCOT’s Best in Show winners were announced June 24, 2025. ASCOT defines Double Platinum as entries that make the live-streamed Championship Round and “earn top marks from all judges.”