Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A120

October whiskey evening – enjoying the outdoors with a companion, a fire, some blind tastings, and a few new bottles. All samples were served in a Norlan glass. Tasting progression: Murray Hill Club, Batch 7 The Gifted Horse, Orphan Barrel *Larceny Barrel Proof, A120 Lux Row Double Barrel 12y Garrison Bro. Cowboy Bourbon, 2019 Blinded pour #2. Unbelievable! My initial impression of the aroma was completely misleading... I would have sworn it had notes of rye bread and clove. I never would have guessed the actual contents! Appearance: Medium amber with sparse, moderately viscous legs. Nose: Abundant brown sugar, rye bread, clove, perhaps pralines. Body: Medium to full, coating, developing warmth without harshness and a warm sensation in the chest. Slightly drying. Palate: A multitude of flavors. Initially, notes of vanilla-frosted cinnamon roll, clove, and brown sugar, followed by a shift to earthy tea/tobacco and minty antacids, before returning to toffee sweetness and pumpkin pie spice on the finish. Finish: A remarkable progression of flavors, leaving a coating and satisfying sensation for over a minute. Conclusion – The first time I saw this, it was priced around $100. I obviously didn't buy it then, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it at that price. It would be expensive (though easily justifiable at $80 in today's market) and is an incredible bargain at the $50 suggested retail price. I find it hard to believe this has a wheated mash bill. My initial thought was high-rye MGP, and I still can't comprehend how this batch relates to the 92-proof Larceny. I've certainly been proven wrong!

Served neat. Opened 6 months ago. It's been quite a while since I last tried this. I recall my initial impression wasn't strong, but it seemed to develop over the following weeks. Time for a more thorough evaluation of this opened bottle. I'm getting a lot of cinnamon roll, complete with vanilla frosting. There's also a bit of raspberry. A hint of mint. Beyond that, not much else. It lacks depth and complexity. However, it is crisp and pleasant, make no mistake. It has a nice creamy texture, a true cinnamon and vanilla explosion. The spice and sweetness are equally intense. It's really enjoyable initially. A burst of cinnamon throughout the experience and on the legs. So much cinnamon. Towards the end of the finish, there's a secondary burst of vanilla that is absolutely fantastic. Among the best vanilla notes I can recall. Those raspberries are starting to emerge on subsequent sips. I'm even detecting some nuttiness reminiscent of Heaven Hill on the finish. The taste truly won me over. That combination of cinnamon and vanilla, along with excessive sweetness, is delightful. Wow, I'm going to reread my initial impression to see if the notes are consistent. I believe the cinnamon has been consistent, but this sweetness and vanilla seem new. I avoided the B520, but perhaps that was an error...

Nose - (without water) Oaky vanilla, caramel, charred cinnamon, a hint of cherry twizzler, toffee. (with water) Not much alteration. Taste - (without water) A bit hot, a numbing sensation on the palate, buttery vanilla caramel, a hint of sweet cherries, gentle cinnamon. (with water) Heat significantly reduced, slightly more fruit, less of a buttery mouthfeel. Finish - (without water) Lingering hot cinnamon spice, buttery vanilla caramel. (with water) Reduced spice, cinnamon caramel. Score - 86/100 Final Thoughts - Overall, this was a good bourbon. It was a little hot, as anticipated, but it responded well to a small amount of water. The flavor profile is standard, without anything too extreme in either direction. I believe it would be challenging to identify this as a wheated bourbon without adding water, which is when I perceive that nice, smoother mouthfeel. Otherwise, it was good, with nothing unpleasant, a standard "bourbon" profile but lacking complexity or exceptional qualities. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Perhaps NOTE - All assessments are made without considering the price.

During a trip to Florida, four of us sampled four high-proof wheated bourbons. The competition was fierce, with very close scores. We all enjoyed sharing our thoughts. Someone would state their impression, and others would respond with "Yes, I notice that now" or "Not at all." No one took offense to any opinion. It was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon with ribs smoking. This one began quite potent and needed a few minutes to mellow. While it presented mainly classic bourbon aromas, it was strongly characterized by burnt marshmallow and brown sugar. The taste offered pecan pie with tart undertones. The finish was intense and left a pleasant brown sugar and marshmallow essence for a considerable time. I ranked this last among them, actually giving it a 3.9, but the scores were separated by less than half a point. Two other tasters preferred this one more.

The aroma is somewhat sharp, filled with charred oak, smoke, dark chocolate, and hints of vanilla and molasses. It's quite full-bodied and undeniably wheated, offering a very inviting impression. The alcohol content is immediately noticeable but doesn't detract at all. The palate is semi-dry and viscous, beginning with a rush of cinnamon, followed by charred oak and a small amount of cherry syrup. The flavors largely combine, presenting as slightly astringent. However, there's distinct flavor to be found with each sip and chew. The finish is long, spicy, and hot. The spice lingers persistently as the oaky and astringent notes very gradually fade.

Whoa, not the sweetness I was anticipating or hoping for. Instead, it's quite spicy, like young dry splintering wood chips. Aggressively dry, with minor hints of cornbread, but hardly worth noting. It must be stated that this is the first pour from my initial bottle (and likely last), so no oxygen has had a chance to interact within the bottle. I generally enjoy bourbons more after they've had some time to 'open up.' I'm sad to report this is not something I would seek out again. I frequently recommend regular Larceny to newcomers to whiskey and bourbon, but this simply lacks the flavor profile I appreciate.