Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B521

My connection with this bourbon feels complicated, much like an old social media status. Though married for eleven years and off Facebook for five, this sentiment applies. Larceny's barrel proof expression has risen in reputation, lauded by critics and even named Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year in 2020, making it difficult to find locally. It's released online sporadically, with limited quantities for the entire state, requiring vigilant monitoring and quick action to purchase, especially at its current $50 price point in my region. Lately, I've been exploring cask strength spirits, and my enthusiasm might be fading. While these higher proof whiskies offer intense flavor, they also deliver a potent kick, limiting enjoyment over an evening. I admit I've never truly mastered diluting them. Either I add too little, and it tastes much like the original bottling, or I add too much, turning it into something akin to Larceny Small Batch. Diluting a cask strength bottle down to a small batch level seems counterproductive. However, this particular whisky necessitates dilution. At 122 Proof, its aroma of oak, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a hint of tart apple is potent enough to sting the nostrils if inhaled deeply. A splash of water, which I believe I finally managed correctly this time, tempers the heat and allows these scents to emerge and be savored without nasal discomfort. Without dilution, the palate is overwhelmingly fiery, masking all other flavors. It's primarily pepper and oak notes. This is why I describe it as complicated. The initial pour was harsh, dominated by alcohol. Drawing from my experience with other wheated cask strength bourbons, I know they often benefit from aeration. I consumed a double serving, letting the bottle rest for three weeks, occasionally sampling to gauge its evolution. Do others engage in this practice? Do some whiskies improve when consumed directly from the bottle? I've previously noted the lack of discussion on optimal flask whiskies, and perhaps an overlooked category is the best whiskies for direct bottle consumption. To clarify, I'm not implying I'm drinking like a down-and-out individual; these were small sips, akin to testing the waters, and with each sampling, my appreciation grew. I also lack many bourbon-enthusiast friends, so sharing isn't an issue, making it safe for me to enjoy directly. In fact, I just retrieved the bottle and took a sip, and for some reason, the liquid tastes superior straight from the bottle compared to my glass. It possesses a cherry pie note characteristic of wheated cask strength bourbons, which vanishes in the glass but reappears after pouring a shot and letting an ice cube melt. It's been a while since I've made this recommendation, but this is a whisky I prefer with ice. Not multiple cubes, as that would equate to Larceny Small Batch, defeating the purpose. Perhaps a single ice cube provides the precise amount of dilution I struggle to achieve with a dropper. Who would have thought diluting whisky was a skill requiring practice? Regardless, without water, the finish is a prolonged burst of cracked black pepper. With water, a tart cherry or apple note persists, allowing the finish to remain sweet with a subtle spicy edge, which is my preference. Given it's summer, the ice cube cools it to an ideal temperature for sipping on a warm evening outdoors. So, I raise my glass of Larceny with a single ice cube and say, "Cheers!" I anticipated more from this bottle. It's a respectable $50 Wheated Cask Strength Bourbon, though I'm uncertain it warrants a significantly higher price, especially when compared to Maker's Mark CS, which is often comparable or superior depending on the batch. The scarcity likely drives the inflated prices, and I wouldn't be surprised if the suggested retail price jumps to $75/$100 in a couple of years, given current resale values. What can you do?

Nose: caramel and chocolate-covered cherry cordial. A promising start. Clove, peppermint, butterscotch & toffee. It's like a peppermint candy cane coated in chocolate and butterscotch. A truly delightful aroma. A touch of rye spice emerges after the initial taste. As it rests, more traditional caramel and vanilla scents become apparent. Body: wow, rich and substantial. Truly impressive. I'll need to savor this slowly as it's bringing intense warmth, with the smoky trail still lingering. Palate: Clove, peppermint, chocolate, rye spice, more clove, followed by subtle honey undertones and hints of toffee, all harmoniously blended without a dominant caramel or vanilla presence. Finish: exceptionally long, with wisps of smoke rising from my throat for minutes afterward. Abundant clove, making it quite unique and enjoyable. The lingering taste resembles a cigar wrapper; perhaps it would pair well with one. Note: I purchased a bottle, paying double the suggested retail price. This better be outstanding. It smelled quite good initially. This tasting follows a substantial steak and potato dinner, accompanied by half a bottle of brut cuvée with my wife and a few ounces of EC toasted barrel and small batch 1010 store pick, which I believe surpasses the toasted barrel. Interesting. Let's see what this contender offers. It has received numerous accolades, being recognized among the 2020 whiskey of the year honorees. I plan to taste this on 7/3/21 while watching a movie, neat. This is a truly distinctive dram for me. I genuinely appreciate its fusion of novel and classic bourbon characteristics, along with the remarkably extended finish. This is an excellent bourbon. I will thoroughly enjoy this bottle. I intend to compare it against ECBP A121, which I have open, to assess Heaven Hill's current offerings. I suspect they're infusing Swisher Sweets into the Larceny barrels. Regardless, this is superb. It's either top-tier or at the bottom of my 'love it' list. I'm undecided until I experience it further.

Nose is pungent with plenty of fusel alcohol but also cereal grain (oats?), golden delicious apple, milk chocolate, cashew, musty barn, wintergreen, sweet corn, and nutmeg. There’s some nice complexity here, but there’s so much ethanol that it’s hard to fathom. (After 20 min in the glass the ethanol did subside, allowing the more pleasant notes to shine) Palate opens spicy and nutty with walnut, vanilla, oak, and the slightest hint of stone fruit. Less peanut flavor than other releases. There’s a defined mid-palate with some nice chocolate/caramel notes; I am reminded of a Choco Taco, and that definitely doesn’t suck. Finish is a huge spice bloom of cinnamon, allspice, clove, ginger, pink peppercorn, and oak chips. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and prickly on the tongue that stops just short of being too harsh. Drying effect after the flavors fade. There are some flaws here, but overall a pretty solid offering with a flavor profile that is on point for the brand. As these releases tend to be quite consistent to this reviewer, I’d say either you like Larceny Barrel Proof or you don’t, and I do. Believe I paid around $79.99, and have no regrets.

Nose is outstanding. Notes of chocolate-covered graham crackers, freshly made cinnamon rolls, vanilla bean ice cream, pipe tobacco, and sweet oak. I can't stop smelling the potent vapors. No ethanol detected, and at 60.5% ABV, impressive. Quite warming, but the burn is manageable. Great consistency. Plenty of sweet oak, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and an unexpected layer of pineapple and tropical fruit is noticeable to me, which is a nice surprise not detected on the nose. Finish is unexpectedly dry and somewhat astringent. Sweet oak, pipe tobacco, and caramel remain on the palate for a while but are less intense than some other barrel proofs and don't last as long either. A slight disappointment. Overall, a very good whiskey, but the palate and finish don't meet the high hopes set by the nose. This won't be my top whiskey of the year, but I will thoroughly enjoy it.

Color is dark straw/copper. Very viscous with thin, slow-moving legs. Nose carries significant heat, with ample baking spices and cereal grain. Plenty of dry oak and earthy notes. A very smooth and warm mouthfeel, typical of wheated bourbons... A strong kick of heat initially, followed by an interesting herbal note of mint or rosemary mid-palate, along with some tart citrus flavors. Consistently sweet, especially for a high-proof bourbon aged over 6 years. The long finish initially offers milk chocolate, coconut, and vanilla, but gives way to the dry oak/cereal grain and baking spices found on the nose. Salted caramel also comes to mind. Interestingly, the palate heat persists even after dilution. I much prefer this to the Larceny Small Batch; the difference is striking. I appreciate the continuous interplay between the mash bill and the barrel from the first scent to the final taste.

Poured a deep gold into a rocks glass (without ice). The nose carries some ethanol and is quite zesty, yet brown sugar and vanilla prevent it from being overly 'rye-like'. However, this is notably spicier than I recall from previous tastings (the bottle is about one-third full, indicating significant consumption over the years). The flavor is robust, exceptional, and fairly prolonged, with considerably less spice on the palate, revealing more fruit, brown sugar, vanilla, and possibly a touch of cinnamon. A small amount of water slightly softens the aroma and admittedly enhances the flavors somewhat, but doesn't introduce anything novel or particularly rewarding. I don't find it especially wheat-forward, but its presence is more apparent on the palate. Decent legs; this is a pleasant spirit to sip. Acquired this bottle at a great price years ago; at $55, it's an incredible bargain.