whiskeyfortheages, Author at Whiskey for the Ages

Larceny Barrel Proof B520

Posted on 05-April-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Larceny Barrel Proof B520 Review

30-March-2021

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH B520 BOURBON REVIEW:

Awarded Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate magazine, Larceny Barrel Proof B520 (Larceny BP B520) lives up to all the praise and awards it has received. Could this really be a wheater? While B520’s 122 Proof asserts itself as if it had rye in the mash bill, it doesn’t overwhelm. And aromas of sweet flora hint at what is to come and in the mouth it is both silky and gritty as spices and sweets play with a nice freshness I did not expect. More please.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Wheated Bourbon (tri-annual release)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Barley
Barrel Char: #3
Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches will contain six to eight year old bourbon)
Barrel Proof: 125
Bottle label: Batch No. B520
ABV: 61.1% (122.2 Proof)
Price: $49.95 USD (in Idaho 2020)

Click to learn more about Larceny Barrel Proof bourbon.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, alternate amounts, equaling about four ounces, were poured into two Glencairns after one and a half ounces were removed from a newly opened bottle and added to our Infinity Bottle. Thus prepared, bourbon was then assessed with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 NOSE:

At first nosing, Larceny BP B520 gives a dry quick burn, but nothing to cause alarm. I sense light fruit blossoms, fresh shucked sweet corn and dusty wheat. And hidden in the flora are ripe red berries, and an aroma of fresh apples in caramel sauce. To my nose, spices of cinnamon and nutmeg are faint, but the spices mix nicely with yeasty brown sugared and crushed graham crackers. Then come the sweets: vanilla custard, maple sugar candy, buttery caramel, maple syrup and nutty toffee treat the nose while pecans and light toasted oak work together with a wonderful petricor freshness.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 PALATE:

Larceny BP B520 tastes amazing. Each element patiently waits its turn ready to be detected. Again with the fruit tree blossoms, then sweet corn and dusty wheat sensed on the nose but now a single maraschino cherry and a little bitter citrus zest and spices of cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. Rich vanilla enhances the maple syrup and pecan chips in buttery caramel. While not wood forward by any means, fresh cut oak balances a sweet smokiness.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Larceny BP B520 is solid and well balanced. When first held, it is silken and then rough and gritty, giving the mouth a tickling bite. In the Glencairn, medium thick legs cling then fall quickly to the welcoming auburn colored pool leaving behind many small spires on the inverted crown.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 FINISH:

The aromas, flavors and sensations linger on Larceny Barrel Proof B520 sweet finish. My throat is almost hot after each swallow but the feeling is fitting as blossoms fade into wheaty berry nectar infused with cinnamon and black pepper. And then, sensations of crushed pecans in a maple syrup glaze blend with fresh cut then toasted wood. What a wonderful way to end each sip. When the last dram has been sipped away, sweet toasted wood and a hint of pecan-graham crust wafts from the empty Glencairn.

THE ADDITION OF WATER

Water can often tame big, bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically drop the proof of the pour. Rather, water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. Three evenings later, controlled amounts of water were added to Larceny BP B520.

Two drops of distilled water were added to 1.5 ounces, dropping the pour to about 121.84 Proof. With two drops, B520 loses alcohol on the nose but fruit blossoms, fresh sweet corn and dusty wheat remain. Faint apples, cinnamon and nutmeg mix with brown sugar, crushed graham crackers, vanilla, maple syrup, and light toasted oak. Like the neat pour, B520 treats the mouth with fruit blossoms, sweet corn, dusty wheat and that same bitter citrus zest, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. The vanilla, maple syrup and buttery caramel also come through as does the fresh cut oak.

Four drops of distilled water were added to another 1.5 ounces of Larceny B520, dropping pour proof to 121.49. Woody caramel dominants the aroma. Gone are the blossoms, sweet corn and dusty wheat and the apple aroma has nearly faded as have the spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. There is a bit of vanilla and maple as well light toasted oak but they are subtle. In the mouth, these flavors are apparent but are also muted. The only trait which remains is the long hot finish, but without much aroma or flavor.

Two drops of water have little effect on an ounce and a half pour of Larceny B520 and four drops of water is way too many. In my opinion, this bourbon is best without the addition of water. But, to each his own.
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MY LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 RATING: 93/100 (neat)

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Absolutely and without hesitation I would grab ANY of the Larceny Barrel Proof releases.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

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LARCENY BARREL PROOF B520 TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review

Posted on 29-March-202127-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review

Original review written on March 24, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review: Rich and dark, I am glad that I have added Pigskin Batch to the rotation. Its blend is great, and if you like high proof bourbons, consider strongly adding this one to your bunkers! 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Jim Beam Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: 6 yrs., 7 mo., 7 days
– Mash Bill: Corn=77%; Rye=13%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 63.65% (127.3 proof)
– Price: $84.95 USD in Idaho

– From Master Distiller’s Notes: Pigskin Batch is made up of barrels that were aged in 5 different locations/warehouses (WH)… Breakdown is as follows:
32%: 4th floor of 7-story WH X
27%: 5th floor of 7-story WH M
15%: 6th floor of 9-story WH H
14%: 6th floor of 7-story WH L
12%: 5th floor of 7-story WH Z

Find more information at bookersbourbon.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I imagine looking out at a busy city at night, with cars rushing home after a long day of work, and the lights of buildings ahead in the distance. Look down from a balcony perhaps with Pigskin Batch in hand as the sky darkens and just absorb the sounds and smell of the city and let the calm settle in for the evening.

Photo by Andrew Schultz on Unsplash

NOSE:

The first sensation on the nose I get is that of nuttiness. Not anything particularly strong in flavor, rather just a warm, soft nuttiness that is a little similar to pine nuts or something else that is mellow and provides more texture than flavor. There is a pastry element going along with it and a dry, dark fruit. I find the slightest hint of nutmeg, but I think most of the seasoning comes from an old leather (maybe a few old books) rather than anything else. I can’t detect much else for sweetness and any kind of brightness is limited to what I can only say is akin to grass shoots, but it is so fleeting, it could easily being a sensation as opposed to an actual aroma.

The alcohol is very minimal surprisingly, despite being close to 130 proof. Overall, the nose is dry and warm, and certainly very inviting.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: There is some grit to this, but it doesn’t bite into my taste buds particularly hard. It’s almost like rubbing velvet the wrong way.
– Balance: The blend on this is phenomenal, and while it doesn’t have the hallmark of dark fruits, the overall darkness and depth of flavor keeps me very pleased and satisfied.
– Visual: Mahogany in color, there are many fast-dropping legs, but the crown remains for a more extended period of time.

– Taste: Initial sips correspond with the dryness noted on the nose, but there is now an added bitterness. It doesn’t seem strongly nutty in its bitterness, although I will admit there is now a almond soft and buttery flavor here on the sip. What I find odd here is that, despite tasting almond, there isn’t any cherry to accompany it, like I would expect to come with almond. Instead the almond just slightly lifts the darker and more bitter tones of the bourbon.

I think the leather from the nose is here also with a dash of black pepper and another dark stone fruit. Barrel char and earth make for a harsh smokiness, but it is still somehow quite pleasant. The harshness from the alcohol, however, isn’t quite apparent on the sip until after I have swallowed, and it does threaten to treat me with a Kentucky hug, so exercise caution with this one.

When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the burn of the black pepper kicks up and is met also with the new appearance of rye. Otherwise, the sting isn’t nearly as strong as I suspected it would be, and there’s an odd, dark sweetness lingering with it too. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a fruit; it could be molasses, but it is very dark in nature.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium-long. The aftertaste lingers the most, but on some sips, the heat remains at the back of the palate, as though waiting to give me a Kentucky hug.
– Between Sips: Dryness and the hint of the dark fruit linger between sips, along with the tiny tingle of leather.

– No More: I find that this stays quite consistent throughout the glass, with no new flavors emerging or taking over the leathery nuttiness, or the touch of black pepper spice.

The empty Glencairn actually smells a lot how the pour actually tasted, with leather and oak and subtle spice coming in at the finish. Overall, this was a very enjoyable pour and I look forward to reaching for this bottle again.

THE ADDITION OF WATER

– This section written on March 27, 2021 –

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review: Water can often tame bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically change the proof of the pour. Rather water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. As such, 2 and 4 drops of distilled water were added to their own respective 1.5 oz. pours of Booker’s Pigskin Batch to detect any potential differences:

This tastes far more savory now with the addition of two drops. I get a greater sense of leather and perhaps even a brininess. Any of the fruit sweetness that I noted when I drank this neat is almost all completely gone, save for a VERY stray cherry that pops up out of nowhere every now and then. There is still caramel present on the nose, which makes up for that loss of sweetness a little. The spice, while still there does also seem to be a bit milder in flavor, so the water definitely calmed it down a touch. However, I do still get a strong alcohol presence, so two drops didn’t knock it back too hard. I think I prefer it neat, though this is still enjoyable. (RATING: 90/100)

I definitely get a greater sense of wateriness with the four drops than I did before. Every flavor seems a bit more homogenous now, with the spice taking over on dominance for overall profile. The leather seems a bit more confused as to where it fits in the equation and the fruit has definitely disappeared. I suppose the nuttiness from the neat tasting has become a bit more emphasized, but again, it seems a little lost as to where it is meant to jigsaw into the flavor. I would definitely recommend going with two or less drops of water on this. (RATING: 80/100)

WORTH THE PRICE?

As someone who reaches for Booker’s on a regular basis, I’m always inclined to give the line a chance. If you are like me in that way, this one will likely already be in your bunker, but I will say that this Booker’s offers an originality that is certainly separate from others in its line. If you like dark and rich flavors and like an immersive (a responsible one) experience with your bourbon, I think this Booker’s is worth the price of $85. And if you like high proof whiskeys, all the more reason to give a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

RATING: 93/100

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Whiskey Reviews

Bookers 2020-03 Pigskin Batch

Posted on 27-March-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Bookers 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review:

24-March-2021

BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH REVIEW:

While I know taste is subjective, for me Booker’s Pigskin Batch is so much better than its sibling, Boston Batch. This bourbon is dark and seductive. Because of its well blended aroma of blueberries, brown sugar caramel and spiced barrel char, I took too much in on my second sip, gave a quick swish and swallowed. I was rewarded with one of the most fiery Kentucky Hugs I can recall; my own fault for sure. After adding a few drops of water, I feel Pigskin Batch smells and tastes just fine without the aid. With renewed respect, I enjoyed this fine bourbon.

BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam, Master Distiller Fred Noe
Classification: Small Batch Bourbon
Small Batch: 2020-03 Pigskin Batch
Mash bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Casks: New Charred Oak
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel Entry Proof: 125
Age: 6 Years, 7 months, 7 days
ABV: 63.65% (127.3 Proof)

MASTER DISTILLER NOTES

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch is made up of barrels from two production dates that were aged in five different rackhouse locations:

▪32% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X
▪27% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse M
▪15% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse H
▪14% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse L
▪12% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z

LABEL INSPIRATION

The third release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2020 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2020-03 Pigskin Batch. It’s a nod to my dad Booker Noe’s love of American football, which eventually became a whole family affair, especially during the holiday season.

Dad was a big guy – standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and close to 300 pounds. He was quick for his size and strong from working as a farm hand growing up, so he played both tackle and kicker in his high school days. Dad was even talented enough to practice with the football team when he attended the University of Kentucky. Although he never made a college career of it, some people thought he could’ve been pretty good if he did.

Years later, when my son Freddie came along and started to show interest in playing football, Dad would set up goal posts for him in the backyard. Countless hours we spent kicking and throwing the football around, and when we weren’t, we were watching our favorite team on TV (or any good game, really).

Anyone who knew Dad knew his love of football, and it’s safe to say he made it a true Noe family tradition. I hope you enjoy this latest batch alongside close family and friends.

— Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

To learn more about Booker’s visit www.bookersbourbon.com.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, alternate amounts, equaling about 4 ounces, were poured into two Glencairns after 1.5 ounces were removed from a newly opened bottle and added to our Infinity Bottle. The bourbon was then assessed with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH NOSE:

No aroma sprang from the bottle upon first uncorking. I worked the Glencairn with deep draws, often with eyes closed. Booker’s Pigskin Batch gives me a little alcohol burn and each time my eyes opened, they watered in defense. There is a potpourri of herbal dry field corn and a slight grassiness. Continued nosing brings on a nice nectar of blueberry, dark currants and soft prunes blended with allspice, faint cinnamon, nutmeg and rye. Rich dark vanilla adds its sweetness to burnt and woody brown sugar caramel and toasted peanut dark toffee. While I wouldn’t consider this wood forward, I do get dry spicy toasted oak, and smoky sweet barrel char along with layered old harness leather.

BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH PALATE:

Pigskin Batch can come on strong – be forewarned, it can and will hug the unwary. As on the nose, I tasted herbal dry field corn, hay and the blueberry-fruit concoction is now served hot (no doubt owing to the fiery hug I’d just been given). Currants and prunes are in the mix as are spices of warm ginger, black pepper and rye. The vanilla is now diminished as is the burnt woody caramel, but I do get faint chocolate mixed in a toasted cashew dark toffee. Yet the dry and spicy toasted oak, smoky sweet barrel char and old harness leather remains.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
2020-03 Pigskin Batch is a solid well blended pour. Once the mouth is acclimated, its viscous oiliness is easy to hold at length. In the Glencairn the liquid falls in sheets then breaks into fast falling legs after each sip and an irregularly formed crown remains above the mahogany colored pool.

BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH FINISH:

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch has a long throat warming finish of herbal field corn. Currants and prunes fade in and out of spices of black pepper and rye. Only a trace of sweetness remains as its dry spicy toasted oak, hazy barrel char and leather dominate and linger on. The empty Glencairn has all the aromas sensed on the palate and nose.

THE ADDITION OF WATER

Water can often tame big, bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically drop the proof of the pour. Rather, water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. So, three evenings after the initial tasting, water was added to Booker’s Pigskin Batch in controlled amounts to learn its effect.

I added two drops of distilled water to 1.5 ounces of Booker’s 2020-03 lowering the ABV by a negligible 0.29%. The alcohol is still prevalent on the nose as is the dry field corn and blueberry, currant and soft prune nectar. The spice blend seems diminished but the vanilla and brown sugar caramel still dance with dry toasted oak and barrel char. To my palate, two drops of water don’t seem to have much of an effect. All the flavors noted in the neat pour can still be detected. If anything, the spices of warm ginger and black pepper seem to compliment and may enhance the sweetness making it more caramelly, but I may be reaching. For me, two drops of water have little impact on Pigskin Batch.

After the two drop sample was downed, four drops of distilled water were added to another 1.5 ounces of Booker’s 2020-03. This time the ABV was lowered by about 0.58%, again seemingly an insignificant amount. To the nose, the alcohol is diminished as are aromas of corn, fruit and spice, yet the sweet and oak remain. Four drops soften the mouthfeel of whiskey slightly, but the flavors seem to get washed out. Note they’re all still around, but they are much harder to distinguish. In my opinion, adding water to Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch lessens its quality.

MY BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
I always seek and purchase Booker’s products regardless of previous batch ratings.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 89/100 to access other whiskeys with this score.
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BOOKERS 2020-03 PIGSKIN BATCH TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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