{"id":2155,"date":"2026-02-19T18:17:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T00:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/?p=2155"},"modified":"2026-02-19T18:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T00:20:00","slug":"elijah-craig-dark-side-barrel-bca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/19\/elijah-craig-dark-side-barrel-bca\/","title":{"rendered":"BCA & ACE Liquor Center Release Elijah Craig Barrel Proof \u201cDark Side\u201d Private Barrel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PUBLISH DATE: February 19, 2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arkansas bourbon community continues to produce standout private barrel selections, and the latest release from the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)<\/strong> and ACE Liquor Center<\/strong> brings a powerful counterpart to an earlier pick. The Bourbon Club of Arkansas has built a reputation for selecting high-quality single barrels, with previous picks gaining strong recognition among Arkansas bourbon enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof \u201cDark Side\u201d Private Barrel<\/strong> arrives as a high-proof, double-digit aged selection from Heaven Hill Distillery\u2019s Elijah Craig line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This release serves as the darker companion to the previously released \u201cLight Side Rebel Barrel<\/a>,\u201d<\/strong> with both barrels reportedly aged in the same rickhouse and dumped on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: Gary Penna – 02\/16\/2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Elijah Craig \u201cDark Side\u201d Barrel Pick Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Brand:<\/strong> Elijah Craig<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Expression:<\/strong> Barrel Proof Private Selection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Type:<\/strong> Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Age:<\/strong> 10 Years<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Proof:<\/strong> 129.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Selection:<\/strong> Bourbon Club of Arkansas & ACE Liquor Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Retail Price:<\/strong> $79.99 + tax<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    Bourbon Club of Arkansas Barrel Picks Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Elijah Craig Barrel Proof selections are known for delivering bold, uncut bourbon straight from the barrel. At 129.5 proof<\/strong>, the \u201cDark Side\u201d barrel falls squarely in the range that many enthusiasts seek for maximum flavor intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Private selections like this allow local groups and retailers to choose a single barrel they believe represents the best profile available at the time. In Arkansas, organizations such as the Bourbon Club of Arkansas<\/strong> have built a strong reputation for identifying standout barrels, with many of their picks receiving recognition in national competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With a 10-year age statement<\/strong> and a barrel-proof presentation, the Dark Side release is positioned as a rich and powerful counterpart to the earlier Light Side barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Where to Find This Barrel in Arkansas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof \u201cDark Side\u201d<\/strong> private barrel was released through ACE Liquor Center<\/strong> in February 2026 at a retail price of $79.99 plus tax<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This particular release was exclusive to members of the Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)<\/strong> and was not available as a general public release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \ud83d\udd04 April 2026 Update: First Review of the \u201cDark Side\u201d Barrel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As of April 9, 2026, the first detailed review of the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof \u201cDark Side\u201d private barrel has surfaced from Arkansas-based reviewer Casks-n-Que.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This marks one of the earliest documented tasting notes for this Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)<\/strong> and ACE Liquor Center<\/strong> selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Below is the review quoted in full<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n