Brian’s Larceny Barrel Proof A123 Review:
reviewed 20-September-2023
LARCENY BARREL PROOF A123 BOURBON REVIEW:
Larceny Barrel Proof A123 (Larceny A123) presents with a substantial amount of alcohol heat and even a little burn for the unwary. Though I would not classify A123 as a sweet bourbon, there are aromas and flavors of currant, raisin, and prune, as well as vanilla, brown sugar caramel, honey, and maple syrup. While the mouthfeel is creamy, and becomes quite oily the longer it is held, I do get quite a tingling on and under the tongue. To balance the heat, spices of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper counter the strong influence of oak, barrel spice, toasted wood, and char, as earthy leather adds to the dry finish.
LARCENY BARREL PROOF A123 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 states batches contain six to eight year old bourbon)
Entry Barrel Proof: 125
ABV: 62.9% (125.8 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 18860
Fair Price: $81.04 (BoozApp, September 2023)
Price: $64.95 USD (Idaho, 2023)
Distillery Release Date: January 2023
Availability: Tri-annual Batch Release
Batch: A123
▪”A” First release of the year
▪”1″ Released in January
▪”23″ of the year 2023
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.
Learn more at Heaven Hill Distillery.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
On Day 20 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, the first one and a half ounces of the new bottle mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, four onces went into a Glencairn. After posting on social media, I enjoyed the bourbon neat as I prepared this review. About 30 minutes had gone by before my first sip.
LARCENY BARREL PROOF A123 NOSE:
Upon taking the first deep draw, acetone and ethanol blend, causing my nose to twinge and eyes to water. At a higher proof, Larceny C922 has less impact on the senses. With smaller draws, fragrances of blossoms, field corn, and wheat emerge, along with sweet berry nectar, dried currants, raisins, prune, and fig. In the blend, scant spice aromas of powdered ginger and white pepper play hide and seek with each breath. A123 smells surprisingly sweet as light vanilla mixes with hints of butterscotch, brown sugar caramel, honey, and maple syrup. I also sense wheat toast, and then light and dry, freshly piled oak sawdust cut from toasted wood. While most of the aromas are unassertive, with none in the forefront, I get an earthy soil-like sensation the deeper I go into the pour.
LARCENY BARREL PROOF A123 PALATE:
With each sip, Larceny A123 demands attention with its warm, almost hot ethanol burn. With small tastes, employing just the tip of the tongue, I detect roasted corn in a soft and wheaty blend of darkly sweet currants, raisins and prune. These flavors mingle with spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cracked black pepper. As my mouth acclimates, bigger sips bring vanilla, rich brown sugar caramel, and a delicate drizzle of molasses which combine to create a dark treacle treat. While the noted flavors are limited, they possess the boldness necessary to withstand the woody elements of dry seasoned oak, barrel spice, char, and supple earthy leather. A123 is an intriguing pour.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
My first sip of Larceny A123 is creamy with only a mild tickle on the tongue. It is easy to hold and becomes oily as the salivary glands go to work on the liquid in my mouth. In the glass, slow forming droplets hang from a solid crown and after each sip, fat long clinging legs break to drain what is left back to the terracotta-colored pool.
LARCENY BARREL PROOF A123 FINISH
Larceny Barrel Proof A123 delivers a long, dry, and almost hot throat-warming finish with individual sensations challenging to detect. However, with careful reflection, I can sense roasted corn, raisin, and prune in some sips. Additionally, cinnamon, ginger, and pepper are easier to discern, along with rich vanilla-infused brown sugar caramel and dark molasses. Faint characteristics of the wheat toast I smelled on the nose occasionally emerge. Nevertheless, the most prevalent notes are dry seasoned oak and toasted wood, along with char, which form the foundation for the earthy old leather as the memory of the pour fades. And when the last drops are gone, the empty Glencairn smells of lucious red berry pastry, a nip of bourbon, and a dusting of fresh sawdust.
MY RATING: 92/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 92/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Larceny.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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