Barrel Picks at Arthur Cantina: Whiskey Made Just for Us

At Arthur Cantina, we don’t just sell whiskey — we hunt it down, wrestle the barrels, and convince distillers to bottle it exclusively for us. Barrel picks are one of the most exciting parts of what we do, and if you’ve ever wondered why people get impressed by them, here’s the breakdown.

What’s a Barrel Pick?

Whiskey isn’t made in cookie-cutter batches. Each barrel develops its own quirks while it ages. Some lean sweeter, some get a punch of spice, others sneak in notes of chocolate, oak, or roasted nuts. And yes — some are downright God awful. When distilleries let us taste through multiple barrels, we hand-select the one that speaks to us — the one that says, “I belong on Arthur Avenue.” That chosen barrel gets bottled exclusively for Arthur Cantina, meaning you won’t find it anywhere else.

How We Pick ’Em

This isn’t some quick, easy decision. We sit down with distillers, line up samples, and taste until our palates are satisfied we’ve found something special. Each sip is judged for balance, uniqueness, and that wow factor — the thing that makes us say, “Yeah, our customers will want this.” It’s equal parts science, instinct, and the reflection of 20 years in the business.

Why It Matters

Barrel picks are like fingerprints — no two are alike. When you buy one of our exclusive bottles, you’re tasting something that will never be replicated again. It’s liquid history, and once it’s gone, that’s it. Collectors know it. Whiskey lovers chase it. And our regulars? They know to grab a bottle before it disappears. Plus, each barrel pick purchase comes with a free entry into our bi-annual raffle for whiskey baskets (in-store only). Good whiskey and a chance to win prizes — what more do you want?

Current Picks in the Shop

Right now, our shelves are stocked with a lineup that’s nothing short of killer:

• Penelope Architect Private Selection – bold, woody, and complex.

• Castle & Key Restoration Rye Single Barrel – spice-forward, with a backbone of mint and citrus. High proof without the burn.

• Woodinville Bourbon Store Pick #10058 – round, rich vanilla and toasted oak.

• Woodinville Bourbon “Fez’s Barrel” #9762 – darker, heavier, hotter, with Fez-approved muscle.

• Wyoming Whiskey Private Stock – soft caramel and prairie spice, the heavyweight at 124º.

• Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel – classic frontier character, only sharper and deeper, with the rustic flavors you expect from a higher-proof Bulleit.

And because we like to keep things fun, exclusively for our online customers, every barrel pick purchase also gets you a free entry into our $500 gift card raffle — winner announced on Christmas Day.

Final Pour

At the end of the day, barrel picks are about trust. You trust us to choose the right whiskey, and we trust you to appreciate the madness behind the process. These bottles are our signature, our handshake, our way of putting Arthur Cantina’s stamp on the whiskey world.

So the real question is: are you grabbing one before they’re gone, or will you just hear about it secondhand when your buddy brags about the bottle he scored?

Raffle Disclaimer

No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents, 21+ only. In-store raffle entries available upon request. Online raffle entries apply only to barrel pick purchases. See store for official rules.