Last Updated on April 24, 2026 by Justin Jones

UPDATE: April 24, 2026 — Barrel King Bourbon Games Expand Charity Showdown Into National Competition

What began as a charity-driven barrel showdown has now evolved into a national-level competition at the first-ever Barrel King Bourbon Games.

Following the initial head-to-head sales challenge outlined above, Bourbon Club of Arkansas members Gary Penna and Justin Mills are currently competing at Barrel King in a multi-day, filmed event designed to test bourbon clubs across multiple disciplines.

The Barrel King Bourbon Games go beyond a traditional barrel release. Instead, they introduce a structured competition format that includes sales performance, potential blending challenges, and additional whiskey-focused events throughout the weekend.

Round 1 Results: Arkansas vs Florida

The opening round of the Barrel King Bourbon Games focused on bottle sales—and the results highlight the strength of the Bourbon Club of Arkansas community.

• Bourbon Club of Arkansas: 40 bottles sold
• Florida-based group: 17 bottles sold

The outcome is especially notable given the size difference. Bourbon Club of Arkansas, with approximately 350 members, outperformed a competing group with an estimated 6,000 members.

What Happens Next in the Barrel King Bourbon Games

Additional rounds are expected to take place through the weekend, with strong indications that upcoming challenges may include barrel blending and other skill-based competitions.

The event is being professionally recorded and is expected to be released on YouTube, bringing increased national visibility to both clubs and to the growing influence of bourbon communities.

As more details emerge, this article will be updated with additional results and insights from the Barrel King Bourbon Games.

PUBLISH DATE: April 23, 2026

What started as a routine stop quickly turned into something much bigger for the Bourbon Club of Arkansas.

“It’s about 2:40 on Thursday… we’re in Bourbon, Missouri… at Barrel King,” Gary Penna said in a live update. “What I haven’t been able to tell you is what we’re doing yet… we didn’t know what we were doing until about 20 minutes ago.”

That surprise quickly turned into a head-to-head competition against a Florida-based whiskey group—one that now puts the Bourbon Club of Arkansas in a race to sell out a limited charity barrel before their competition.

Watch the announcement from Bourbon Club of Arkansas below.

The video above captures the moment Bourbon Club of Arkansas learned they would be competing in a charity barrel challenge against a Florida-based whiskey group at Barrel King in Bourbon, Missouri.

A Barrel Battle With Bragging Rights on the Line

The rules are simple—but the pressure is real.

Each group has been assigned a barrel selected by the team at Barrel King. The goal: sell out faster than the other team.

“There are 100 bottles up for sale, and we need to sell more than the other team,” Penna said. “The more we sell, the greater chance we have of winning… and we don’t want Florida to win.”

Beyond bragging rights, the winning group earns an advantage in future rounds of the competition, making this opening push critical for Bourbon Club of Arkansas members.

A Charity Barrel With Full Transparency

Unlike most Bourbon Club of Arkansas barrel releases, this one comes with a unique twist.

“Full transparency… we did not pick this out. This was picked by their crack team,” Penna explained.

However, that same team has a proven track record with Bourbon Club of Arkansas.

“They helped us pick our last barrel back in December—and you guys all know how big of a banger that was. That earlier release, built at Barrel King, already showed what this partnership can deliver.”

This time, the focus goes beyond just the whiskey itself.

“All proceeds from this barrel are going to go to charity.”

Inside the Bottle: Batch #51.26 Straight Bourbon at 113.4 Proof

The label confirms Batch #51.26 as a straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 113.4 proof.

The barrel at the center of the competition delivers a layered and evolving profile.

“On the nose, you get cedar and hay notes… with a little bit of honeysuckle,” Justin Mills said.

On the palate, the sweetness comes through in a familiar way.

“It’s got a butterscotch note… but more like a Bit-O-Honey candy.”

The finish builds with citrus notes.

“Medium to long… with a little bit of lemon peel.”

Penna added his take on the experience.

“Maybe even a little orange peel… I’m not a rye person, but this is a good one for me.”

As the pour opened up, additional complexity emerged.

“I get a little green apple… it’s crisp, clean, structured… and the more I drink it, the better it gets.”

Why This Barrel Matters

While Bourbon Club of Arkansas did not directly select this barrel, the confidence in the team behind it—and the charitable purpose—make this release stand out.

With only 100 bottles available, this becomes a real-time test of how quickly the Bourbon Club of Arkansas community can respond.

This limited bourbon release combines a charity mission, competitive urgency, and a small-batch profile—making it one of the more unique Bourbon Club of Arkansas barrel releases to date.

How to Buy (and Help BCA Win)

This release is limited and timing matters.

• Price: $150 per bottle
• Total Bottles: 100
• Shipping: Direct to your home
• Purpose: 100% of proceeds go to charity

“The first to get to 100 wins,” Penna said. “So if you guys start buying now, we have a good chance.”

Arkansas vs Florida

At its core, this is more than just a bottle.

It is a moment where the Bourbon Club of Arkansas community can show up—not just for a release, but for a cause and for bragging rights.

“We don’t want Florida to win.”

With only 100 bottles available, the outcome may come down to how quickly Arkansas responds.

🔍 FAQ

This limited bourbon release combines a charity mission, competitive urgency, and a rare small-batch profile—making it one of the more unique Bourbon Club of Arkansas barrel releases to date.