Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Review

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Review

Original review written June 29, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Maybe heavier on the earth and wood than other Larceny Barrel Proof’s, this one is still worth the buy – just treat it entirely as a new experience. 91/100

VITALS:
Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Review

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches will contain six- to eight-year-old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 62.2% (124.4 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho in May 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 screams autumn to me – with the leaves found on the nose to the simply rich and earthy darkness of the overall palate. It’s something I imagine enjoying when the weather turns, and it’s misty outside with the raked leaves soaking in the moisture. The bourbon exacerbates the clean that comes from a changing season, while digging deep into the earth to reflect the fall season. Being almost 125 proof, this keeps you warm in that crisp air all the while.

Photo by Daniel Frank on Unsplash

NOSE:

Roasted grain, caramel, and cinnamon cross the nose first, hitting all sorts of flavor profiles. There’re also sweet marshmallows just on the verge of burning to a bitterness. Strangely, there’s a musty, earthy quality here as well, like a soaked pile of leaves in the fall. It’s a bit dirty, but it’s simultaneously fresh. Oak sawdust and a warm alcohol tingle, act as a solid foundation, but otherwise, this nose isn’t particularly complex. It’s dark with sweet, earthy tones – unlike other Larceny Barrel Proof’s I’ve had, but this one is still intriguing all the same.

PALATE:
Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Review

– Mouth Feel: Viscous. There’s texture here, but it swirls around on the palate pleasantly.
– Balance: Unexpected. Not necessarily bad, but this is heavy on the earth and wood tones, with only a little fruit and sugar to brighten it. I don’t mind it, though I am used to better balances coming from Larceny BP’s.
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, this falls from a faint crown in long, evenly spaced legs. Once gone, that faint crown lingers and lingers.

– Taste: Grain and straw offer something to chew on the first sip with soaked wood chips and apricots following behind. The apricot is pureed into almost a jam consistency with sugar included. It makes for a sweeter, yet more diluted apricot flavor overall. Mixed with the stone fruit is honey, sweetening it further while also providing a different, yet equally appropriate kind of base, to the traditional oak. Despite these sugary flavors, this bourbon is actually quite musty and earthy. It’s dark in the way that I can taste the influence of the char on not just the barrel, but also the wheat. It has age on it, which imparts a richness and dare I say – a self-awareness. This bourbon just has character.

The alcohol is present, but I don’t find it overly aggressive. The heat sits primarily at the back of the palate and doesn’t seem inclined to hug – just hang out. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol remains mild, poking a bit more. It allows me to find some darker fruits here like cherries, but they are fleeting. Overall, the chew is a fun exercise to this bourbon.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. It’s been several minutes since I’ve had a sip, yet the warmth continues to sit at the back of my throat, and I do have some aftertaste lingering for a while as well.
– Between Sips: The wheat grain is the most distinguishable between sips, being musty like the rest of the palate while also acting as a grounding point overall for the bourbon.

– No More: This stays consistent throughout the glass, with the finish growing longer and longer after each sip. It’s decent, but it is unlike any of the other Larceny Barrel Proof’s we have had to date. I’m excited for the newness and simultaneously missing the characteristics I’ve come to define Larceny BP’s with.

The empty Glencairn is the warmest aspect of this nose, with the oak being fresh and punchy. And I can even find the grain here as well, proving this bourbon to be consistent all through to the end.

WORTH THE PRICE?

When it comes to anything barrel proof, I’ll always step up to buy and try. If you like the other Larceny’s and still want to hunt for this one, I think it’s worth the price of $60, but don’t expect the fruits that you may have tasted in the other offerings. A122 has its own story, and it’s best to let it stretch its legs without putting expectations on it, beyond having a richer, deeper “How-is-this-Larceny” profile. I’d buy again, but I’d sooner buy another batch of Larceny BP if available. (Remember – I like my fruits.)

LARCENY BARREL PROOF A122 REVIEW RATING: 91/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 91/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

Hannah’s Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

Original review written June 21, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Unique and original full of rye bread punchiness and even raisins and bran like the cereal *wink wink*. Happy to have it, and I know I’ll never have another rye like it again. 91/100

VITALS:
Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

– Made In: Middletown, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Kentucky Artisan Distillery
– Classification: Bottled-in-Bond Rye
– Age: 4yrs (minimum)
– Mash Bill: 100% Rymin Rye
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $80.45 USD in Idaho in 2022

“The Cream of Kentucky brand was originally introduced in 1888 by I. Trager & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Just prior to the end of Prohibition, the brand was acquired by the famed Schenley Company and subsequently re-introduced in 1934. Through the 1930s and 1940s, Cream of Kentucky grew to becomes on the leading bourbon brands, with renowned artist Norman Rockwell provid[ing] much of the award-winning artwork for the brand during its heyday.”

Visit www.jwrutledge.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this rye here!

And find Elora’s thoughts here!

SETTING:

This one is nostalgic for me in a way that makes me want to pour a glass of this with a bowl of raisin bran cereal. It’s rich, dense, with hints of sweetness mingling throughout. The rye bread of the pour will pair well, and the acidity of the grain will likewise lift the depth of the cereal. It’s homey, and it’s something I can really see myself settling into when I am just looking for a day of simplicity and comfort.

Photo by Cristine Despares on Unsplash

NOSE:

This certainly does smell creamy on the first inhale – an absolute rye bread explosion – as well as incredibly (I cannot stress this enough) nutty. Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, even cashews abound. Surrounding them in a light drizzle of a dark caramel and a bit of banana. I can find bran (like a cereal), which makes the whole nose smell outwardly quite healthy – not a common trait in a whiskey, but I’ll take it. There are some dark fruits here in a fruit leather variety, but they are very subtle, and certainly not a berry kind of fruit. They seem to be much more like prunes and perhaps dates and figs.

With the bread and nuts being so dominant, it’s difficult to find wood (but there is a malt-type of foundation) and quite difficult to find an alcohol burn also. It’s an enjoyable, unique nose that I know I have not had the likes of before. Definitely intrigued by what I will find on the palate.

PALATE:
Cream of Kentucky Rye Review

– Mouth Feel: Believe it or not, but creamy is an appropriate description here. There’s depth and oiliness that just eases the rye around the palate without needing any kind of aggravation.
– Balance: Heavy on bread and earthy tones, so perhaps not the most balanced. However, if you like those flavors, I don’t think you’ll be too bothered here (I am not).
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, this falls in one great sheet before leaving a thin ring and the occasional small droplet behind.

– Taste: After the (admitted) shock value of this palate being so different from what I was expecting, raisin bran cereal absolutely captures my taste buds. It’s as if I’m having the cereal in front of me now, and I’m getting ready for school. (I always like healthier, grain cereals as opposed to something sweet with artificial fruit flavor, chocolate, or marshmallows.) As such, this rye is drinking in a very nostalgic way, right off the bat. When I dig around in the palate, I find spice like nutmeg, many of the nuts listed above, and sweetness like simple syrup to add complexity to the rye grain and cereal. There are other dried fruits here also, like the prunes and dates from the nose, and now currants as well.

All the while, the alcohol gives a little nip now and then, as if peeking out from behind a corner sheepishly. It’s not aggressive when it does bite, hearkening, again, back to a bashful attempt at getting attention. It’s playful. It combines with the rye in a way that makes the already established complexity, that much more multidimensional. I still cannot find much wood here, but the strong presence of the rye bread/raisin cereal are such a good foundation. I can forgive the lack of wood. There’s even a soda bread component to go with the rye that creates a bit of needed acidity to lighten up the dark, malty flavors.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium-Long. The aftertaste certainly perpetuates and there is a noticeable warmth that sits just at the top of the throat – not burning, but hovering.
– Between Sips: Raisin and the rye bread is constant throughout the pour, including here between sips. I’m grateful for the consistency. There are not many whiskeys that stay so true to that first inhale on the nose.

– No More: As stated – consistent as I go through the glass. The bran element grows in intensity, making me feel as though I could actually chew on this whiskey. (Note: When I did partake in a Kentucky chew, that alcohol woke up. It bit hard with rye bread before backing off again to that familiar dark, dried, fruity goodness.)

The empty Glencairn is dirty sawdust. It’s been trampled down and beaten badly, but at the end of the day, it’s still warm and as welcoming as ever.

WORTH THE PRICE?

$80 makes for a pricey bottle, but the originality and the nostalgia it’s brought up for me, makes it worth the price. I’ve never had a whiskey like this before. If I’d tried this in my early years of whiskey adventuring, I don’t think I’d like it. It’s complex and it’s even quite affronting. If you’re experienced with ryes and bourbons, and like grain forward pours, give this a try and swallow the price tag. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

CREAM OF KENTUCKY RYE REVIEW RATING: 91/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 91/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Blade and Bow Bourbon Review

Hannah’s Blade and Bow Bourbon Review

Original review written June 14, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This is a solid bourbon and a fun one to have in the collection for someone without regular access to it. It’s oaky with a fruity balance, if not perhaps slightly overpriced. Still enjoyable, and I’ll lament finishing it. 87/100

VITALS:
Blade and Bow Bourbon Review

– Made In: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: DSP-KY-16; Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company (reopened 2014) and other distilleries
– Classification: Special Finish/Infusion – Solera Aged Bourbon*
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: unpublished
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 45.5% (91 proof)
– Price: $59.99 USD in California 2022
– Key #4

*Solera, or Solera Aging is fractional aging and blending method. A young wine or spirit joined with older stock, often employing tiered barrel storage, allowing the liquids in each level to mingle, marry and age together. As new product ages, some is transferred from top aging barrels to middle tiers for more aging. None of the barrels are ever completely emptied so younger stock is always in contact with older.

Other than Hillrock Estate Distillery, not many whiskey producers employ a Solera Aging System.

Blade and Bow Bourbon Review
THE KEYS
Blade and Bow Bourbon Review

Named after the two parts of a skeleton key, the blade shaft and the ornate bow, the Blade and Bow brand is a tribute to the five keys that once hung on the door of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. These keys represented the five steps of crafting bourbon – grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation, and aging.

Visit bladeandbowwhiskey.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian. I also enjoyed it with my younger sister, Elora.

– Blade and Bow

Check out Brian’s review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

Imagine rows and rows of jam and bourbon warmth to accompany the sweet of fruit and color. Blade and Bow is enough to cut through the sweet while enhancing the fruit all the more. The jam would, in turn, exacerbate the warmth of this pour and make it more prominent and exciting.

Photo by Paréj Richárd on Unsplash

NOSE:

This bourbon smells of dark fruit leather, molasses and soft wheat grain on the first inhale. It’s subtle, and the bourbon certainly isn’t looking to bite with any kind of alcohol heat. There are cherries that seem overly ripe – perhaps sacrificed for some baking adventure. With them is a light stone fruit jam, but they are not tart like peaches are. While old oak spice dominates, I can find a hint of nutmeg. Beyond that however, it is difficult to sense any prominent spice. Baking sweetness exists on this nose, but I cannot determine which ones (brown sugar?) are there with any kind of certainty. It’s a well-balanced aroma, if not slightly plain. The fruits existing as the lead off of this still makes me intrigued, and I am ready for my first sip.

PALATE:
Blade and Bow Bourbon Review

– Mouth Feel: This is relatively smooth, but there is some tangible grip on the palate that lets the flavors really sink in.
– Balance: While simple, the balance is well-executed, and the oak isn’t left entirely to its own devices.
– Visual: Tawny in color, this falls in evenly spaced legs from a fairly well-defined crown. The legs disappear quickly; however, the crown does remain.

– Taste: Old oak, as though it’s falling apart, sweeps across the palate first, offering up bits and pieces of that Solera Aging method. I can taste all of the years and months this bourbon sat mingling with others of its kind. The plentiful fruit that is here is extremely dry, like prunes and raisins. Despite the dryness, there is a surprisingly high amount of baking spice to accompany the fruit with a strong nutmeg and overall warmth.

The palate isn’t overwhelmingly complex, but it’s deep oak and has fruity richness, and I can definitely see myself reaching for this bourbon soon. It’s a shame it isn’t found in our Idaho liquor stores; it would make a good addition.

The Kentucky chew doesn’t particularly make the alcohol more aggressive, but it does bring out the lighter dried fruits that were found on the nose. Along with those is some soft grain that tempers any attempt at heat growing.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short-medium. There’s some aftertaste, but the warmth doesn’t linger excessively long (though it is certainly there).
– Between Sips: Oak, oak, oak, and more oak. It’s virtually all I can taste, and it’s old and it’s textured. While I don’t love intense wood essences, this time, it is welcome, and it matches the palate well.

– No More: This does grow on me the longer I sip, and I am already finding that I’ll lament this bottle when it is empty. It’s solid easy sipping, and its warmth only grows.

The empty Glencairn is pure bourbon oak. Rich, deep, and with a hint of spice. This is how an empty bourbon glass should smell.

WORTH THE PRICE?

While I enjoy this bourbon, $60 does seem slightly steep for the simplicity that you are getting out of the bottle. There are certainly other bourbons in this price range that I would rather spend this money for; however, for an experimental buy for a whiskey we’d never tried, I won’t regret it. For the first time experience and the solidity of the offering, this bottle was worth $60. The next bottle unfortunately, may not be.

BLADE AND BOW BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 87/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews