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Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B521 Review

Posted on 23-August-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B521 Review

Original review written August 17, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

I had this on a trip during the summer of 2021, and I am happy to report that the love I developed for Larceny B521 has definitely extended beyond the trip. This glass is warm, rich, and all things comforting. Another very good offering from Larceny Barrel Proof Batches. 92/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon; Small Batch
– 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: 60.5% (121 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho, 2021

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 imagine sitting in a old train station, with echoing chatter and yellow glowing light illuminating a marble floor beneath the feet. Whether you’re waiting for someone to arrive, or waiting for your own train to depart, Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B521 is the company you are looking for.

Photo by Ugur Akdemir on Unsplash

NOSE:

Sweet barrel char blooms out of the glass first, with hints of chocolate-coated almonds, vanilla, and gingerbread. There is also a maple quality to this that mingles with floral notes that are almost reminiscent of rose petals. A deep berry jam is present, but it isn’t quite identifiable as to what berry it is. I find old leather and the main grain, corn on large inhales along with a little bit of white pepper. The aforementioned char definitely carries all of these complex flavors very well without being overwhelmingly woody. It is noticeable, but it doesn’t steal the show, rather enhances all of the aromas. Overall, this smells rich, deep and sweet in a more sugary way rather than fruity.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has a very velvety mouth feel, with just the right amount of texture and the slightest hint of a tickle at the back of the palate.
– Balance: Well-balanced. The oak is there, along with sugary sweetness and fruit sweetness. I might enjoy a bit more spice, but this is still a really well-blended bourbon.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this has many thick legs that drop fairly quickly, but a crown does remain.

– Taste: As perhaps as cliché as it sounds, this just tastes warm. This is sweet, with a plum syrup richness and allspice sprinkling to make it interesting. There is a touch of bitterness at the back of the palate that reminds me of walnuts; despite however bitter any particular sip is, it remains very buttery. The alcohol is mild and really only felt on the swallow, and even then remains as a pleasant tickle rather than burning. Letting it just sit on the tongue however, lets the syrup qualities continue to emerge and grow in complexity. There is maple here and maybe a little bit of caramel. And all of these flavors are given the smallest dusting of citrus zest, likely orange.

A Kentucky chew wakes up a new leather, a bit of pear juice and maybe even some white peaches (I’m thinking around the flesh just under the peach fuzz). The alcohol flames up for just a moment before mellowing quickly to give way to these flavors. The oak emerges a bit more here also, coming across as wood chips soaked in water for a while before becoming almost chewable.

I find this bourbon very rich and flavorful, and I am happy for the fruit presence on the palate when it was slightly hidden on the nose.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. Some heat lingers on the occasional sip, and a mild flavor sticks around the longest.
– Between Sips: A mild oak remains between sips, again- very much in a wood chip capacity.

– No More: A sweet and warm sawdust oak can be found in the empty glass after finishing a very consistent pour. There is a touch of nuttiness, but the oak certainly dominates.

WORTH THE PRICE?

The Larceny Barrel Proof line continues to impress, and at $50 USD, I consider Batch B521 an absolute steal. When I think of pours that are quintessentially bourbon, this one certainly fits the bill. If you find the opportunity to purchase, I definitely recommend.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH B521 REVIEW RATING: 92/100

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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

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 94/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

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