Three Hard-to-Find Bourbons Hit Shelves at Five Star Liquor in Hot Springs

Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by Justin Jones

Arkansas bourbon hunters have a new reason to hit the road.

Five Star Liquor has quietly put three highly sought-after bottles on the shelf—two of which have not yet been widely seen across Arkansas.

While one release may look familiar, the other two are turning heads—and could disappear quickly.

🥃 What’s Hitting the Shelf?

Old Forester Arkansas Exclusive Batch #7 (Single Barrel)

• Brand: Old Forester
• Type: Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Warehouse: K
• Floor: 6
• Proof: 131.9

This Arkansas-exclusive single barrel has already made appearances at other stores, but it remains a high-proof hitter that continues to draw attention.

At 131.9 proof, expect a bold, oak-forward profile with concentrated caramel, spice, and heat—typical of Old Forester’s hotter warehouse selections.

Redwood Empire “Haystack Needle” (Grain-to-Glass Single Barrel)

• Brand: Redwood Empire
• Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Designation: Grain-to-Glass Single Barrel
• Proof: 119.8

This is where things get interesting.

The Haystack Needle release represents Redwood Empire’s push into true grain-to-glass production, meaning the distillery controlled the process from raw grain to final bottle.

Even more notable—this bottle has not been widely spotted across Arkansas yet, making its appearance at Five Star Liquor particularly significant.

For collectors and those tracking Redwood Empire’s evolution, this is one to watch closely.

Redwood Empire “Pipe Dream” Toasted Finish

• Brand: Redwood Empire
• Type: Bourbon Whiskey
• Finish: Toasted Barrel Finish
• Proof: 92

Toasted barrel finishes continue to dominate the bourbon conversation—and Redwood Empire is stepping into that space with a toasted version of their Pipe Dream bourbon.

Toasting (rather than charring) the barrel staves can bring out deeper vanilla, marshmallow, and baking spice notes, often creating a softer, sweeter profile compared to traditional char.

Like the Haystack Needle, this bottle has not been commonly seen on Arkansas shelves, adding to the urgency.

📍 Why This Drop Matters

This isn’t just another shelf restock—it’s a rare convergence of three bottles with very different appeal:

• A high-proof Arkansas-exclusive single barrel (Old Forester)
• A true grain-to-glass single barrel (Haystack Needle)
• A modern toasted-finish release (Pipe Dream Toasted)

Even more importantly:

• Two of these bottles are new to the Arkansas market
• They are reportedly sitting on the shelf
• Likely first come, first serve
• Expected to be at or near MSRP

That combination is becoming increasingly rare.

🚗 Worth the Drive?

For many in Central Arkansas, the trip to Hot Springs isn’t exactly around the corner.

But in today’s bourbon landscape—where limited releases are often locked behind lotteries, bundles, or secondary markups—finding bottles like this sitting on a shelf is becoming harder and harder.

If you’ve been waiting for something different, or tracking Redwood Empire’s newer releases, this might be one of those moments where the drive actually pays off.

🥃 Final Thoughts

This drop highlights something Arkansas bourbon fans know well:

Sometimes the best finds aren’t announced with hype—they just show up.

And when they do, they don’t last long.