Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B522

A discussion sometimes arises comparing Larceny BP and Elijah Craig BP. To be candid, I'd happily drink either. Larceny is still reasonably priced where I am, so I purchase it when available. Elijah Craig is also reasonably priced, and I buy a bottle whenever I see it. Currently, I only have one Elijah Craig, an A123, which I bought a second of after tasting the first. For Larceny, I have C921, three bottles of A122, and three of B522. I haven't opened the C921. I previously rated the A122 a 3.75, but in hindsight, it deserves a 4, and I'm eager to try the other bottles. I've just opened the B522. Someone jokingly called me a hoarder last night when discussing my liquor collection. There's some truth to that. The reason I buy multiple bottles is to secure the spirits I enjoy while they are still affordably priced. ECBP prices have risen, and Larceny prices have also increased. Everything is getting more expensive, so I do buy a few bottles when I can get them at a fair price, allowing me to still savor the spirits I like without excessive cost. Once the price becomes prohibitive, I'll still have some on hand. (This is coming from someone who bought a third bottle of Maker's BEP yesterday for $70 in my area, as it's a great deal and it won't spoil.) That said, it's difficult to compare the B522 to the Larceny A122 without opening it, but I believe I prefer the B522, which is interesting given its lower community rating. I'm tasting this neat, as I always do for my assessments, but as I've mentioned before, when the proof exceeds 120, I find it best with a single melted ice cube. The key point is the strong similarity between the batches. This one has prominent cocoa powder and cinnamon notes on the nose, along with some cherry. There's a strong alcohol presence due to the proof, which led me to deduct points from the A122, but it feels less dominant here, allowing me to discern subtler aromas like an earthy wheatiness. On the palate, there's a slight burn but it's sweet, with fruitiness and a hint of peanut butter flavor. The texture is very creamy. The finish brings back cherry with a touch of pepper and cardamom. So yes, I'm happy to have three bottles of this in my collection. And yes, I will purchase more as long as the price remains reasonable. I do personally favor Larceny over Elijah Craig, mainly because I prefer wheated bourbons. I am also anticipating ECBP 523, which should be hitting stores soon for around $65 unless the price increases. When spirits are in this price range, it's great because you don't have to make difficult choices. Eventually, prices will reach a point where I'll shift my focus to Old Forester 1920 and Rare Breed. Reflecting on it, isn't the barrel proof/cask strength bourbon category incredibly rich? And that's not even considering the $45 Maker's CS that I should also be stocking up on while it's available.

I've kept this in my cellar for two years. Time for it to breathe. Tasting it neat. A dark golden brown hue with rather thin legs coating the glass. The aroma is big with brown sugar and caramel corn, vanilla oak, a bit of dry grass, and a dose of ethanol, though not as much as one might expect at 123.8 proof. The taste is sweet brown sugar, cinnamon graham crackers, and caramel. It has a soft, oily coating (a pleasant surprise given the lack of legs). Vanilla oak, cherry, some tannins, and ethanol, but not excessively so. Overall, it's soft and sweet with maple and cherry notes. The finish emerges from the sweet palate, turns spicy and grassy, and then offers a very long minty tingle. Perhaps the best part of the sip. An ice cube slightly tempers the sweetness but also mutes the finish. Another successful offering in the Larceny barrel proof series if you prefer a sweeter-than-spicy bourbon. Big flavors, easy to drink considering the proof, very comforting.

Opened the bottle and sampled it straight in a Glencairn. The aroma is very spicy with a noticeable ethanol sting. There's a faint hint of cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and cola, but the ethanol is quite dominant. This might be due to it being a fresh pour. The taste is very nutty and spicy, with a little cherry and vanilla sweetness at the end. It goes down with a definite warmth. The finish is a bit bitter and sweet, lasting a decent amount of time. It leaves the mouth slightly dry. All in all, it's an excellent bottle to own, particularly for the cost. I enjoyed a previous expression just a bit more, finding it to be a little more complex and full of flavor. Perhaps this one will evolve with time, allowing those concealed/muted flavors to emerge more prominently.

Wow! At nearly 124 proof, that's very noticeable on the nose. A strong alcohol aroma that hit hard. But I also detected walnuts (more on that shortly)... I drank it with an ice cube. It's sweet with a moderate warmth in the chest. The burn lingers in your chest, but then you begin to taste a lot. I found the usual oak and leather, along with tart cherry. Walnuts were also present - and I love walnuts! Additionally, I experienced a burst of spiced apples at mid-palate. Quite pleasant. I consider this a "complex" bourbon. Does a higher proof mean more complexity? In this instance, I'd say yes. I should mention that I was not impressed with the Larceny 92 I previously tried. This B522 is significantly better.

This is a satisfying wheated Bourbon for under $100. It's full-bodied and flavorful, as anticipated from a barrel proof bottling at 123.8 ABV. However, I was somewhat underwhelmed after my initial pours. The richness of this bourbon was soon overshadowed by the finish and heat alone. A hot glass of whiskey has become expected from Larceny's wheated Bourbon and does not compare to the finish of other top bourbons associated with Stitzel-Weller. It's a bottle to be valued, but don't hesitate to share it until it's gone.

Smell - strong dark fruit (berries, cherries) with a little citrus and honey. Good oak and vanilla notes in the background. I detect faint red hot candy hints, a touch of clove, and a whisper of leather too. Taste - the front has caramel and berries again. The middle brings more spice, honey, vanilla, and a subtle hint of tobacco. It has a lengthy finish. A bit nutty. Overall - I truly like how sweet and dark notes are balanced here. It's worth buying. 4.3