Wheated Whiskey Archives – Page 7 of 26

Maker’s 46 Cask Strength Review

Posted on 18-April-202229-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s 46 Cask Strength Review

Original review written April 12, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This one is another home run for the Maker’s line, and certainly better than the original Maker’s 46 (which isn’t bad at all). Dark, rich, and warm, who could ask for anything more? 94/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 54.8% (109.6 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho 2022

Visit makersmark.com for more information on the wood staves used for this bourbon

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

Believe it or not, I imagine enjoying this bourbon in a warehouse. It may be full of activity and the bustle of things to do, or it may be empty, full of possibility and room to explore. Either way, I think Maker’s 46 Cask Strength will keep your palate warm and your mind open as you look out at the little empire carved out just for you.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

NOSE:

Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and dark vanilla cross the nose first – all classic Maker’s tells. I also find ripe apples sprinkled in dark brown sugar, begging to be baked in a pie, or at least cooked to lay over some vanilla ice cream. There’s new oak, roasted chestnuts (again with a brown sugar glaze), and a bit of molasses to give this sweet bourbon a darker, sturdier foundation. The alcohol isn’t particularly aggressive, though deeper inhales do give a slight sting to the nose, all the same. This bourbon overall, smells warm and quite rich with a lot of my favorite bourbon qualities being offered (at least here on the nose).

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has a viscous mouth feel with a grip on the palate that makes it incredibly enjoyable.
– Balance: Complex. Though there’s a lot of sweetness here, everything seems grounded in the proof of the bourbon and makes everything very approachable.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this leaves thick legs and plenty of clinging droplets falling from an irregular crown.

– Taste: The proof makes itself more noticeable here on the palate, emerging and blending with apples, pastry, and light vanilla. There’s similar spice to what was on the nose, from cinnamon to nutmeg, as well as allspice now too. I find toasted marshmallow and cranberry fruit leather at the back of the palate, of all combinations. And strangely enough, it works – with light bittersweet knocking back some of the harsher sugary notes the marshmallow brings.

As stated, the proof is more pronounced here; however, it’s not overly strong, acting more as a way to warm the bourbon from a sensation standpoint. It’s taking me a while to be motivated to do a Kentucky chew, simply because I am enjoying this pour as it is. When I do partake in a Kentucky chew, some dark cherries and more brown sugar come forth with the burn of the alcohol.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. This is warm in the throat, but there isn’t a great deal of aftertaste lingering behind.
– Between Sips: Spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon linger between sips, and it’s a pleasant, warm aspect of this finish that is entirely welcome.

– No More: This only grows on me the longer I sip, and it’s a bourbon I truly find difficult to review, because I simply want to sit back and enjoy it while it’s here. The warmth grows, and the fruit of the cranberry leather and apple intensifies in the best way and makes this just so good.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy, oaky sawdust and an absolute good way to finish this glass. And this is one of those rare instances where I actually run out to grab just a bit more for the glass; I’m just not finished with this yet!

WORTH THE PRICE?

$60 is an absolute yes for this bourbon. I’d love to keep it permanently in the bunker and I’ll certainly look forward to finding this around our stores in Idaho. This ticks all the boxes for my kind of bourbon, and I’m happy to have this bottle finally open.

MAKER’S 46 CASK STRENGTH REVIEW RATING: 94/100

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Larceny Barrel Proof C921 Bourbon

Posted on 03-April-202228-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Larceny Barrel Proof C921 Bourbon Review:

reviewed 29-March-2022

LARCENY BARREL PROOF C921 BOURBON REVIEW:

In my opinion, Larceny Barrel Proof C921 (Larceny BP C921) is the best, most balanced whiskey to come out of the Heaven Hill wheated stables since Batch B520 (and I include last autumn’s 11 Year Old Fitzgerald). It is certainly the pinnacle of their 2021 offerings. Currant and plum jam aromas pass to the palate as do allspice, cinnamon, white pepper and sweet simple syrup, sugar, caramel, and toffee. But for me, it is the finish of dry seasoned and toasted oak with smoky sweet barrel char which ties this treat together.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF C921 BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Barley
Barrel Char: #3
Age: nas (Heaven Hill website indicates batches contain six to eight year old bourbon)
Entry Barrel Proof: 125
ABV: 61.3% (122.6 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 18860
Availability: Tri-anual Limited Release
Batch: C921
▪”C” Third release of the year
▪”9″ Released in September
▪”21″ Released in 2021
Price: $59.95 USD (February 2022, Idaho)

_{The Larceny line of Bourbon is the modern heir of our historic wheated mashbill, known behind-the-scenes at our distillery as “O.F.D.” or Old Fitzgerald Distillate.
^{— Heaven Hill}}

Learn more at Heaven Hill Distillery.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

Taken from a newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces topped off the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating pours, four once review amounts went into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

LARCENY BARREL PROOF C921 NOSE:

The first deep waft of Larceny BP C921 gives the nose an alcohol nip with a touch of heat. Once acclimated, I sense barrel tannins, fruit tree blossoms, roasted corn and dusty wheat. Then come jammy currants and plums, a hint of dried citrus zest and some dark plump raisins. As I nose, allspice, cinnamon, white pepper mix with cocoa dust, light vanilla and sweets of simple syrup, raw sugar, caramel, and rich crushed pinenut toffee. And as I close my nosing session, seasoned, dry oak, smoky sweet barrel char and some musty leather provide a firm aromatic foundation. I love the smell and this pour begs a taste.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF C921 PALATE:

Larceny BP C921 gives the mouth a nice bite. It is herbal, with notes of roasted corn and only a notion of wheat. As sensed earlier, I taste the currant and plum jam, now enhanced with dark raisins and figs dusted with cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. There is a drizzling of rich vanilla infused with simple syrup here and I get a suggestion of raw sugar, light molasses and toasted pecans in dark toffee. These flavors are in near perfect balance with a nice dose of dry seasoned oak, some toasted wood, smoky sweet barrel char and just enough earthy dried leather. This bourbon is so good, I found it easy to savor as I made my preparation notes for the review.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Larceny BP C921 is nicely blended and well balanced. The aromas pass to the palate and through to the finish. In my mouth, it is both viscous and oily even though I found it a bit challenging to hold as the liquid is aggressive and even a bit rough on my tongue. In the glass, long legs fade fast, giving way to small droplets which quickly return the dregs to the dark terracotta colored pool.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF C921 FINISH:

Larceny Barrel Proof C921 has an exceptionally long herbal finish with a surprising but welcome sensation of cooling mint and plum nectar. I feel cinnamon, ginger and pepper carry away the memory of light vanilla simple syrup, sugar, burnt caramel and dark toffee. And always the dry seasoned, toasted and heavy oak, smoky sweet barrel char and earthy leather drifts in the aftertaste. When the last drops disappear, rich musty sawdust in a splash of alcohol is easy to draw from the glass. This is a great bourbon.

MY RATING: 93/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 93/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C921 Review

Posted on 03-April-202228-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C921 Review

Original review written March 29, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Possibly the best of the best when it comes to Larceny Barrel Proofs, Batch C921 has the balance other bourbons can only dream of, with every flavor profile represented well. I’m already looking to secure myself another bottle… somehow. 96/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (Heaven Hill website indicates batches contain six- to eight-year-old bourbon
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 61.3% (122.6 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho 2022

For more information, visit heavenhill.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon is rich with dark fruit, and really well balanced, and I still manage to find myself craving a salty snack. I’d love to turn to an artisan pretzel, sprinkled with sea salt and let all of the flavors of this bourbon sink into the breadiness of the pretzel. I can imagine them going together and enhancing each other’s qualities to make for a delicious after-dinner treat.

Photo by Mark Zanzig on Unsplash

NOSE:

Dark fruit, vanilla, and barrel char are immediately prevalent, along with a bread component. It’s almost like a boiled bread, like an artisan pretzel. Combined with the initial dark fruit (currants, dates, cherries, prunes, berry jam) and vanilla, it makes for an overall sweet bread. There’s even a confectioner’s sugar essence that makes the salivary glands go into hyperdrive, along with ginger to amp them up even more. It’s the kind of nose that tricks the brain into thinking this bourbon really is a baked good, and you are absolutely ready for that first bite.

The wheat of the mash still makes the nose exceedingly gentle and soft, taking away any aggressive alcohol burn that could be here. Nevertheless, deep inhales do coax out some heat and evoke more of the barrel char into the mix. It’s a great nose with a lot of balance – managing not to be overwhelmingly sweet – and it definitely has me ready to take a sip.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Syrupy. It’s glossy, rich, and oily. It matches the simple syrup flavor I detect below and makes the pour that much more uniform.
– Balance: Extremely well-balanced. Nothing sticks out awkwardly, and everything seems to be rooted together in the space of darker flavors.
– Visual: Terracotta in color, this falls in sheets down the glass. It drops heavy and in thick legs, leaving a clear, almost perfectly circular ring behind, in the glass.

– Taste: I can hold it on my palate for much longer than I would have anticipated, given the proof. Despite the lack of intense alcohol burn, fruits abound with more of all the same dark ones that I detected in the nose. Next to them all now, are an increase in spices, from allspice, to cinnamon, to nutmeg. There’s also more earthy richness found on the palate as well, with the oak being more prominent and a hint of leather.

The confectioner’s sugar is still present as well, melted down to make a rich syrup that hasn’t quite turned golden – but still so sweet. Somehow, it manages to not overtake the other flavors either, standing on its own while letting the other flavors shine. The bourbon is sweet enough that I want a salty snack to go with it. However, I think that could be because I’m simply shocked with the goodness of this, and I don’t know what to do with myself. The vanilla is richer too, adding to this baked element concoction I’m developing in my head.

Alcohol still isn’t too aggressive on this sip, surprisingly. It’s warming, but it’s not painful. A Kentucky chew does heighten the burn, but it also brings out a savory, perhaps briny component. It tastes fine, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to chew this bourbon, no matter how much the flavors tempt you.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. The warmth certainly lingers, and there are even flavors that stick around as well after the sip is gone.
– Between Sips: Cinnamon, simple syrup, figs, other assorted dark fruit… the flavors of the palate simply do not leave! It’s not often you find such complexity in the pauses between sips, and I’m very pleased.

– No More: The warmth continues to grow the longer I sit with this bourbon. I’m just impressed with it. The flavors remain consistent, no matter what aspect of the bourbon I’m enjoying, and I don’t think I’ve gotten to say that about a pour before. Great offering and only climbs higher and higher in my respect as I near the bottom of the glass.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy sawdust, like a white pepper spice. It’s warm all the same, and a fine way to finish off this solid pour.

WORTH THE PRICE?

This may be the best Larceny Barrel Proof I have had to date, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of their offerings immensely. This one has a balance found only in dreams. Warmth and proof that don’t burn intensely, and every flavor profile you’re looking for. This one is most certainly worth the price, and I hope you all get to try it. It’s truly delicious.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH C921 REVIEW RATING: 96/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 96/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

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