Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Review Archives – Page 3 of 4

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121 Review

Posted on 03-May-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121 Review

Original review written April 27, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Incredibly complex bourbon that brings heat, uniqueness and quality, all at a reasonable price. I definitely recommend Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches will contain 6 to 8 year old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 57.4% (114.8 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho

For more information, visit heavenhill.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

The texture of this one begs to be enjoyed beach side, with warm sand surrounding you and a crisp, salty air on your tongue with Larceny A121. It’s hot; waves are crashing; gulls are crying and this bourbon might as well be the center of the universe. The sun could be anywhere – it doesn’t really matter with this one. Just raise a toast to Mother Nature, and you’re good.

Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

NOSE:

Immediate impressions are that this has a dark molasses sweetness to it along with currants, black pepper, and dusty and smoky grains. There is a briny quality to this also that mixes with a roasted/salted peanut that certainly makes the mouth water. I find a strange essence here too, almost like… broccoli? But not in the sense of a hate vegetable, rather isolate the slight pepperiness that comes with the broccoli.

The longer I nose, the more a red hot candy and cinnamon flavor emerges, which is certainly unique and not found in too many other whiskeys we have had. The alcohol tinge is stronger than I would anticipate from a wheated bourbon – especially since the ABV is relatively moderate. It should be noted that this alcohol bite could be from the red hot candy sensation too.

Overall, I’d say that this is quite a complex nose, and it certainly is very inviting.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: There is a textured raspy quality to this that makes each sip interesting and keeps me going back for more.
– Balance: There are a LOT of flavors going on here, and yet, I feel like the balance is completely solid and certainly very complex.
– Visual: Tawny in color, there are long, clinging legs that break off from a ring/would-be crown.

– Taste: The dusty grains come across the palate first, and it is almost as though the grain is still raw, and I can taste the stems and seeding pods at the top. The black pepper from the nose has mellowed into a more undefinable pepper, but the bite is definitely still to be found. I can also detect a sweet bitterness, perhaps a burnt caramel that chases after the pepper with the faintest hint of yellow sponge cake.

Strangely enough, there is also an almond component to this in the way of barely-there sweetness and as a layer of richness. It blends well with the wood of this bourbon, which I would say is distinctly oak and strong, charred oak at that.

There is less fruit here on the palate, which is a bit of a shame, save maybe for seasoned raisins or dried prunes. Nevertheless, it’s still very rich with its spices, which contribute quite well to the alcohol burn that is still surprising to me with its 114 proof. A Kentucky chew makes the dark, dried fruits even stronger and brings out stronger flavors of allspice.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. The warmth definitely lingers around for a while, along with a subtle aftertaste.
– Between Sips: I think the grains are the most noticeable between sips, but there is a fruit that wants to be there that doesn’t seem quite as dark as the fruits noted on the actual taste. It’s very enjoyable!

– No More: It does seem to get a little more bitter the further into the glass I get, but I don’t think it reduces the quality of this bourbon in the slightest. The blend is still solid, and if anything, I think this bitterness (which seems to come from walnuts?) only enhances the complexity of this pour.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy oak with black pepper and rich warmth. A great way to finish a great bourbon.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Like my other reviews thus far on Larceny Barrel Proofs, I find this one incredibly enjoyable for something priced at $50, a higher proof, AND a wheated bourbon. I think this line fills a gap in the bourbon industry, and are definitely must-haves in bunker collections. With such unique, complex flavors to offer, it’s impossible to go wrong picking up a bottle of Larceny A121.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH A121 REVIEW RATING: 93/100

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Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 Review

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

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 Review

Original review written March 30, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 Review: This bourbon definitely lives up to the hype and provides everything you could want from smoothness, to blend, to sweet, to spice. Definitely buy if you can. 94/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon; Small Batch
– Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches will contain 6-8 year old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 61.1% (122.2 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:

Larceny Barrel Proof B520 just oozes class and sophistication, but still a sense of down-to-earth honesty. I imagine this bourbon could be easily enjoyed in a stable, with horses peeking their heads over railing and staring out with healthy shines in their eyes. Lean against a stable yourself with a glass of this in hand and feel warm and rich in your own universe.

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

NOSE:

While my first impressions aren’t necessarily that there is an intense alcohol presence, there is certainly more heat and spice on the first inhales than I would have originally suspected. I get white pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and even the tiniest pinch of black pepper too. Deep inhales, however, actually do have the power to bite at the nose with some burn, so exercise caution.

I can also find a fruit leather that seems fairly similar to apricot fruit leather, where the leather gives more a texture element to each draw. Other sweetness includes a simple syrup, a touch of pear, candied orange zest, and maybe even maple candy. There could even be a little nutty toffee, but it’s not incredibly rich, and the nut isn’t particularly intense in flavor.

Underneath it all is a sweet, new oak that sits comfortably as though it is just happy to be included.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Very definitely smooth and silky. It was the first thing I noticed about this bourbon.
– Balance: Solid. While I can pick out individual flavors, they all blend together incredibly well. Nothing sticks out of place or is awkward.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this has a thick crown and many, slow-dropping legs.

– Taste: The first impression of first sips are rarely so hands-down impressive, but Larceny B520 definitely fits that bill. There is a softness throughout the entirety of the sip, with the slightest lift of heat. And the solidity of the blend is so immediately apparent. I recognize that this bourbon has achieved considerable acclaim for the year of 2020, and you may think I’m just agreeing with the masses, but believe me, I am not.

I’d say the overall flavor profile is sweet – both sugary sweetness, as well as fruit sweetness. I get baked cinnamon granny smith apples, as there is a brightness here that you wouldn’t encounter with a red apple. The simple syrup from the nose remains and really is a plain, but sweet sugary element that makes the mouth water on every sip. I get a yellow cake moisture and richness, along with a bit of light vanilla too.

The spices have backed off from the nose considerably, though white pepper can still give a pleasant tingle every now and then. The wood here also seems slightly more aged, as it’s gained a more mature quality and contributes greatly (I think) to the smoothness of this bourbon.

A Kentucky chew awakens a burst of pepper while somehow highlighting the aforementioned yellow cake. While it provides for a fun texture and experiment, I truly think just idly sipping this one is the way to go. It really does not need any additional frills.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. The softness of the bourbon, I believe, leads to the bourbon fading away easily with only a small sense of warmth remaining.
– Between Sips: White pepper and a touch of smoke and cinnamon sit with the yellow cake between sips. The yellow cake eventually leads as the longest lasting sensation after the sip is gone.

– No More: I’d say the yellow cake flavor dissipates the further I get into the glass, but the level of spice, warmth and smoothness certainly remains the same.

The empty Glencairn is a nutty, sweet cake sponge with soft (and I mean soft) oak that is quite simply warm and comforting.

THE ADDITION OF WATER

– This section written on April 3, 2021 –

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 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 Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 to detect any potential differences:

I was skeptical adding any water to this whatsoever, but I find on even the first sip with two drops that the water hasn’t knocked the heat back very far at all. I daresay that the spice really is about the same. There is a bit more of a woody caramel here now, but it is very smooth. I can also detect some brown sugar, cinnamon, and the granny smith apples that I found on the sip without the water. Definitely still a great pour, so if you feel the need to add a little water, I don’t think you’ll lose much beyond a few subtleties. (RATING: 92/100)

This certainly smells a great deal more caramelly than the neat and two-drop offerings did. Still, I wouldn’t say that it is sickeningly sweet. On the sip, I can sense the water’s presence a bit more strongly, however, as the spice seems to have to fight a bit harder to be recognized, but the heat strangely remains. The sugary notes also seem to be the more pronounced than ever before. This is still quite decent, but it lacks a bit of the body and complexity that were readily apparent neat and with two drops. Definitely stick with two drops if you are someone who needs water, but otherwise, keep it neat. (RATING: 87/100)

WORTH THE PRICE?

Simply put, at $50, it’s a no-brainer. Get. It.

RATING: 94/100

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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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