Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A120 Review
Original review written November 30, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
I had this before sitting for a review, and A120 is a sheer, deep, rich bourbon with fruit and heat snuggled perfectly together in the glass. 95/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon; Small Batch
– Age: nas (6-8 years according to Heaven Hill)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 61.6% (123.2 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:
I’d love to put this in a flask and sit on the curb of a cobblestone road in Europe. Watching bicycles ride past amidst colorful stucco on closely packed houses with terracotta roof shingles that seem to shine… that’s the life for me.
Photo by Juliana on Unsplash
NOSE:
Grass mixed with a light caramel come across the palate first, and they actually work together quite well. I can also detect a warm toffee with a naturally sweet nuttiness and milk chocolate. Cherry and vanilla also emerge from the glass – perhaps with an almond that can’t decide it is wants to be with the cherry or the toffee. Maybe both? Regardless, even with the I take deep draws, the alcohol doesn’t singe, but it is definitely there. Toasted barrel char and a dash of pepper back up all of the otherwise smooth flavors and make for a very inviting nose.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Oily, and smooth and capable of coating everything.
– Balance: The heat balances the fruit really well. Solid balance.
– Visual: Flame in the glass, there are clinging droplets that five way to fat, clinging legs.
– Taste: Oak and pepper wake up on the sip, creating an incredibly fine, warming sensation. Though there is this warmth, there is little alcohol burn, but I can tell this could burn if I wasn’t careful. Other flavors here are naturally sweet, with overripe peaches and green grapes that lack any kind of acidic bite.
A vanilla flavor makes the body smooth with just a small assist of some maraschino cherry… The warmth gradually gets bigger even on these initial sips, and I can already tell a Kentucky Hug is on the horizon. When I partake in a Kentucky Chew however, the grain explodes – heat abounds with little of the sweeter, fruitier flavors to be found.
While not overly complex, this is really deep, warm, and delicious, and coupled with the mouth feel, really all I could need.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Very long. The warmth and flavors are persistent, and even having not taken a sip for five minutes, both are potent.
– Between Sips: Cinnamon coated apples and cherries with toasted barrel char linger between sips. Really an incredible finish.
– No More: The barrel char and grains grow in intensity the further into the glass I get, with the fruit taking more of a backseat and coming in at the end of the sip.
The empty Glencairn is only a light oak and doesn’t seem to quite convey the depth that was once in the glass. But no matter! It’s empty, after all!
WORTH THE PRICE?
If this is the kind of product we can expect from Larceny Barrel Proofs, I can easily see them giving the Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs (that are higher still in ABV) a run for their money. This pour was fantastic and definitely worth the price (which happens to be approximately $10 USD cheaper than ECBP).
RATING: 95/100
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