Author: whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A120 Review

Original review written November 30, 2020

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

I had this before sitting for a review, and A120 is a sheer, deep, rich bourbon with fruit and heat snuggled perfectly together in the glass. 95/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon; Small Batch
– Age: nas (6-8 years according to Heaven Hill)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 61.6% (123.2 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho

For more information, visit heavenhill.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’d love to put this in a flask and sit on the curb of a cobblestone road in Europe. Watching bicycles ride past amidst colorful stucco on closely packed houses with terracotta roof shingles that seem to shine… that’s the life for me.

Photo by Juliana on Unsplash

NOSE:

Grass mixed with a light caramel come across the palate first, and they actually work together quite well. I can also detect a warm toffee with a naturally sweet nuttiness and milk chocolate. Cherry and vanilla also emerge from the glass – perhaps with an almond that can’t decide it is wants to be with the cherry or the toffee. Maybe both? Regardless, even with the I take deep draws, the alcohol doesn’t singe, but it is definitely there. Toasted barrel char and a dash of pepper back up all of the otherwise smooth flavors and make for a very inviting nose.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Oily, and smooth and capable of coating everything.
– Balance: The heat balances the fruit really well. Solid balance.
– Visual: Flame in the glass, there are clinging droplets that five way to fat, clinging legs.

– Taste: Oak and pepper wake up on the sip, creating an incredibly fine, warming sensation. Though there is this warmth, there is little alcohol burn, but I can tell this could burn if I wasn’t careful. Other flavors here are naturally sweet, with overripe peaches and green grapes that lack any kind of acidic bite.

A vanilla flavor makes the body smooth with just a small assist of some maraschino cherry… The warmth gradually gets bigger even on these initial sips, and I can already tell a Kentucky Hug is on the horizon. When I partake in a Kentucky Chew however, the grain explodes – heat abounds with little of the sweeter, fruitier flavors to be found.

While not overly complex, this is really deep, warm, and delicious, and coupled with the mouth feel, really all I could need.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Very long. The warmth and flavors are persistent, and even having not taken a sip for five minutes, both are potent.
– Between Sips: Cinnamon coated apples and cherries with toasted barrel char linger between sips. Really an incredible finish.

– No More: The barrel char and grains grow in intensity the further into the glass I get, with the fruit taking more of a backseat and coming in at the end of the sip.

The empty Glencairn is only a light oak and doesn’t seem to quite convey the depth that was once in the glass. But no matter! It’s empty, after all!

WORTH THE PRICE?

If this is the kind of product we can expect from Larceny Barrel Proofs, I can easily see them giving the Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs (that are higher still in ABV) a run for their money. This pour was fantastic and definitely worth the price (which happens to be approximately $10 USD cheaper than ECBP).

RATING: 95/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 95/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

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Brian’s Larceny Barrel Proof A120 Review:

30-November-2020

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH A120 REVIEW:

Grassy aromas, dark fruit, spice and brown sugar treat the nose. Larceny Barrel Proof A120 is creamy but gives the tongue a nice tickle when held. Its deep woodiness blends with dark fruits. There is enough sweetness to entertain the palate and each sip finishes long with lingering warmth.

Heaven Hill is upping its game by adding another barrel proof line. High proof wheated Larceny expressions will be highlighted under their own spotlight. Labeling is similar to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof expressions, with “A”, “B”, and “C” designating the order, the numbers “1”, “5”, and “9” designating the month and the last two digits, in the label indicating the release year. As such, A120 was first of 2020 and released in January.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH A120 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 has stated Larceny Barrel Proof batches will contain six to eight year old bourbon)
Barrel Proof: 125
Bottle label: Batch A120
ABV: 61.6% (123.2 Proof)
Price: $49.95 USD (in Idaho 2020)

Learn more at https://heavenhill.com/.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, I enjoyed A120 neat from Glencairns with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

NOSE:

Upon first nosing, Larceny Barrel Proof A120 offers a trace of dry warm alcohol. Second and subsequent nosings bring on grassy hay-like qualities mixed with roasted sweet corn, dusty grain and a nice wheatiness. Dark sweet cherries aromas, stone fruits, ripe plums and a hint of fresh picked green apples dance with allspice, nutmeg and white pepper. Sweets of brown sugared pastry, yellow cake, bittersweet chocolate chips, and vanilla custard mix with traditional bourbon notes of burnt brown sugar caramel and dark chocolate covered toffee. There are a few pinenuts hiding in the light oak and smoky sweet toasted wood which pair nicely with the deep and earthy old leather.

PALATE:

The first sip of Larceny Barrel Proof A120 gives the mouth a warm bite and it is quite herbal, offering both sweet corn and dense green vegetables to entertain the taste buds. More sipping brings on berry notes (nearly ripe blackberries???) which are almost masked by dark stone fruit, fresh-picked plums and other dried dark fruits. Interestingly, A120 is almost savory as spices of cinnamon, black pepper and a slight brininess mix with bittersweet chocolate chips, vanilla custard, brown sugar, burnt caramel and chocolate covered dark toffee with cashews. This is a deep, earthy bourbon with plenty of dry seasoned oak and the spicy haze of barrel char. While I don’t often pair my bourbon with food, I think this bourbon would elevate a prime rib, baked potato and steamed brussel sprout feast.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Solid and well blended A120 is creamy, yet gives the tongue a tickle when held in the mouth. In the Glencairn, long clinging legs break the liquid curtain to return the liquid into the flame colored pool, leaving many small droplets for an ill-defined crown.

FINISH:

Larceny Barrel Proof A120 finishes long, with lingering warmth. Memories of herbal wheat and plum fruit leather mix with pepper, cocoa and woody brown sugar as the oakiness and subdued spicy barrel char fade into earthy old leather. The sweet aromas sensed on the palate waft from the empty Glencairn, but the finish is far more earthy and has more charred oak.

MY RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Larceny Barrel Proof releases will be limited to three offerings a year. I look forward to learning how each will compare and improve as the line matures.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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