Wheated Whiskey Archives – Page 14 of 27

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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Maker’s Mark 101 Bourbon Review

Posted on 20-February-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark 101 Bourbon Review

Original review written February 16, 2021

MAKER’S MARK 101 BOURBON REVIEW:

I love Maker’s products generally, from their least expensive all the way to the private selects we have found and enjoyed for Idaho. However, I’m sad to report, this one did not meet the standard and has an ungainly awkwardness to it. 83/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated
– Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 50.5% (101 proof)
– Price: $37.95 USD in Idaho

Visit makersmark.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I imagine Maker’s 101 Bourbon would be enjoyable sitting on the porch in the middle of a crowded, desert city. There is a haze sweeping across the horizon as the sun sets, making neighboring palm trees look like tall, black beams shooting into the sky. It’s a rough, plant-y pour to counteract an unbearable heat and waves of desert gardens.

Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash

NOSE:

This nose is incredibly soft and, in a word, inviting. It definitely smells like a Maker’s, with the wheat presence being particularly strong, as well as just a dry grass. With this comes a freshness that sits right at the front of the sip. It is almost like how an apple stem tastes (no, I don’t eat them, but I chew on them). The second half of the nose includes seasoned figs, with some nutmeg and perhaps cloves. Deep, focused draws bring out some molasses and gingerbread cookies.

A warm, sunshine sensation envelops the bourbon as well, like dried out sand in the middle of a desert with cacti kind of warmth. It’s strange, because there are those strong aforementioned plant scents too, but it somehow balances well.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Perhaps my favorite aspect of this pour, as there is a raspy quality to it that catches on the taste buds, creating an ever-so-slight tickle.
– Balance: I’m a little disappointed, to be honest. A solid plant flavor isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the limited flavors existing beyond the wheat/grass seem awkward paired together.
– Visual: Honey in color, there is a spackling of droplets along with some legs that are thin and fade quickly.

– Taste: Plant bitterness comes across the palate first, and is almost grassy. There’s warmth here, yes, and it does seem to be grain-based in nature, and it rasps a little on the tongue. A mild oak pairs with it, and just sort of hangs out without being what I would call, an active participant.

The alcohol is mild, as would be expected for a 101 proof bourbon, and it may even seem like less than a 101 on the palate, though this could be from the wheat in the mash bill.

I can’t find any notable fruit presence here, which is strange because I usually associate fruit flavors with Maker’s products, but try as I might, I can’t find anything. On spice, if I squint, there is a bit of cloves, but it’s very gentle and subtle behind the plants. Maybe there is a hint of leathery spice with the wheat, but again – mild.

When I do a Kentucky chew, there is a strange mix of bitterness, apples, and chlorine… I’m honestly not very fond of this combination.

Other than this, I find this to be a bit of a one-trick pony with the grass and wheat being the stars, and the backing flavors not necessarily complimenting each other. I keep smacking it on my palate to find new things, but it’s just more of the same, slightly disappointing bitterness.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. I’ve got some warmth lingering on my palate, and an aftertaste on the sides of my tongue in particular.
– Between Sips: The grass is still here, but it seems to have a bit of freshness to it, maybe, on part, due to an apply essence that is very faint.

– No More: There are no major noticeable changes in flavor as I get further into the glass. Perhaps the apple grows a little, but not enough for me to really change my overall thoughts on this. It’s tolerable. The raspy mouth feel is really what saves this bourbon, I think.

The empty Glencairn smells so incredible with a rich, deep, spicy oak. Now I’m saddened even more that the actual pour couldn’t be more reminiscent of what is left over after the pour is gone.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At under $40 USD, it’s not as though you are going to be robbed should you buy this. I think this could be enjoyable for a beginner wanting to graduate to 100+ proofs, but for those who indulge in the 100+ looking for a value, I’m not quite convinced. If you can get a Dry Fly 101, you’d get a far superior bourbon that is the same proof and similarly priced.

RATING: 83/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

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Maker’s Mark 101 Bourbon

Posted on 20-February-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Maker’s Mark 101 Bourbon Review:

16-February-2021

MAKERS MARK 101 BOURBON REVIEW:

Maker’s Mark 101 is a decent bourbon. It won’t wow the seasoned drinker but for someone looking to advance to a higher proof, this might fit the bill. People who like regular Maker’s will likely enjoy the additional heat, yet there’s not much more complexity to this limited availability offering.

MAKERS MARK 101 BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Wheated Whisky
Region: Loretto, KY
Distiller: Maker’s Mark
Mashbill: 70% corn; 16% soft red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel Proof: 110
(A lower proof than most cask strength whiskies; purposely kept lower to prevent alcohol from overwhelming the taste.)
Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 years)
ABV: 50.5% (101 Proof)
Price: $37.95 (2020 in Idaho)

Learn more at Distillery Trail Blog.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

This challenging to find bourbon was enjoyed neat with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

MAKERS MARK 101 NOSE:

Makers Mark 101 smells warm and has the aroma of fruit tree blossoms floating in the breeze. More nosing brings flora notes of roasted corn, wheat, and dry cut grass. Its fruit components are faint; fresh-sliced tart apple core, sweet cherries and orange zest and white pepper lies under sweets of rich vanilla, maple and brown sugar. Wood components are subtle as well: cashews, and fresh cut toasted pine. And oddly, freshly applied drywall mud – but it works.

MAKERS MARK 101 PALATE:

From the first sip, this bourbon is warm and herbal as its notes of roasted corn blend with wheat and drying hay. I am able to detect a bit of dark plum mixed with a touch of bitter citrus but the typical fruitiness found in most Maker’s products just isn’t there. I do get a hint of cloves and black pepper which does work with the scant sweetness of bittersweet chocolate, maple and burnt brown sugar, but like the fruit component, the spice and sweets are fleeting. The woodiness first presents as bitter hazelnuts but then gives way to dry oak and then hazy barrel char. As each sip is swallowed, an almost bitter herbal grassiness remains.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
There’s not many flavors to play off one another but they are reasonably balanced. In the Glencairn, the whisky is smooth and oily and the liquid clings before the legs break into an irregular crown then fall back to the honey colored pool.

MAKERS MARK 101 FINISH:

Maker’s Mark 101 has a medium length dry warm finish. Herbal wheaty flavors pass through to the finish but all fruitiness is gone as a grassy aftertaste remains. This is not a spicy bourbon but what is there lingers. I also get a hint of bittersweet chocolate, but no other sweetness. Yet the dry oak and hazy barrel char do come through and when the last dram is gone, sweet campfire oak wafts from the Glencairn.

MY MAKERS MARK 101 RATING: 84/100

Will I buy this whisky again? NO
I won’t rush to replace my bottle, but it may have some intrinsic and conversational value to the well appointed home bar.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

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MAKER’S MARK 101 TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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