Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B523

Continuing to taste spirits I haven't yet reviewed from my collection. Progress is being made! Larceny Barrel Proof A123 A deep mahogany hue, close to Pantone 153 and 160. The nose is powerfully fruity, showing brown sugar, baked cinnamon apples, buttered scones with raspberry jam, strong coffee, and a noticeable alcohol presence. The palate is intensely sweet with a slightly slick viscosity, coating the tongue with warm brown sugar sweetness. Tasting it after C923, I detect a distinct peanut brittle note. The strong coffee returns on the finish with a hint of espresso bitterness, along with some char and vanilla. There's lingering warmth, but it's barrel-proof bourbon, not a fruity cocktail. The A123 is quite good, though I'm dialing back my enthusiasm from a previous assessment comparing it to ECBP A123. Tasting it now alongside LBP B523 and C923, my opinion is slightly lower but still above the community's average rating. The aroma is complex, but the heat is just a bit too prominent. Nevertheless, it offers excellent value, typically found for around $70. Would I purchase it again? Yes. 4.25 out of 5 stars. Larceny Barrel Proof B523 The clear mahogany color is identical to A123, matching Pantone 153 or 160. The initial aroma is cocoa powder, oiled leather, pancakes with maple syrup, sweet pipe tobacco, Luxardo cherries, and a sweetness reminiscent of a raisin and flan-like caramelized sugar bread pudding I recently tried. There's also a slight tang of barbecue sauce. Similar to A123, it has a mouth-coating creaminess with corn pudding sweetness and cinnamon, and a well-balanced blend of oak and vanilla on the finish, with moderate residual heat. The B523's aroma is less assertive than the January release, possessing a refined smoothness that suggests more maturation. The proof is nearly the same as A123, but the heat is better managed. At approximately $70, it's a fantastic value. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Larceny Barrel Proof C923 The same clear mahogany color, Pantone 153/160, as A123 and B523. This nose is distinct, with an almost savory richness, presenting buttered English muffins with strawberry jam, warm banana bread, pomander, chocolate fudge, toffee, vanilla, and a hint of saltiness. The palate has a light, glycerin-like texture, similar to A123 and B523, featuring bananas flambé with its associated caramelized sugar bitterness. The finish has some dry, leathery notes, and the vanilla persists. The C923 is outstanding. I could appreciate its aroma indefinitely. It's also the smoothest to drink of the group. Curiously, the community's average rating is the lowest for this 2023 release, despite only a few ratings. Like the other LBP releases, the $70 retail price is an incredible deal in the current market. Would I purchase the C923 again? Absolutely. I'll be seeking out more. 4.75 out of 5 stars. Overall Assessment: I have a preference for sweeter profiles, and 'sweet' is the defining characteristic of these 2023 releases. They share more similarities than differences, offering a comforting warmth alongside pleasant (but not overwhelming) sweetness and intensity. Each exhibits a similar proof, ranging from 124.4 to 126.4. The A123 showcases youthful vigor; the B523 provides a sense of greater age; and the C923 blends the best of both, combining robustness with sophistication, and further distinguishing itself with its savory elements. There's a prevailing sentiment that the Larceny Barrel Proof series is improving. While I'm less familiar with them than their Elijah Craig Barrel Proof counterparts, the upward trend surely can't continue indefinitely, as each of these offerings is already excellent. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

This Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon (B523, 124.4 proof) was tasted neat. The color in the glass is a rich rosy brown with moderate coating legs. The aroma is sweet grass, wheat grain cereal, floral vanilla, cherry, and a whiff of spice. In the mouth, there's light brown sugar and corn sweetness, with an ethanol flash. Oak and vanilla, grain, stone fruit like cherry and peach, and some tannins appear to temper the sweetness. It's warm but not hot for over 124 proof, though it definitely makes its presence known. Lots of competing flavors that really work well together. A very, very long finish with sweet, spicy, and tingling mint notes – longer than I expected given the legs and moderate coating mouthfeel that seems to build in the finish, leading to a soft exit. No truly sour or off flavors, even at the end. A truly harmonious wheated bourbon straight from the barrel. This is rated as one of the best in a series of top-tier Larceny barrel proof releases over the past 4 years, receiving a 4.5/5. High praise, especially considering they can compare it against past releases. It was also named one of their Top 5 Bourbons of 2023. I've sampled many of the top-rated Larceny releases (C921, B522, C922), and this one stands up well. I'm giving this an initial score of 4.75, but will continue to taste and consider it.

The nose is rich with caramel, vanilla, golden raisin, green apple, toffee, cashew, and an unusual but not unpleasant musty book scent. The alcohol is well-integrated for the proof. The palate closely mirrors the aroma, with caramel taking on a burnt crème brûlée quality, alongside brown sugar, molasses, cake batter, and cola. While not the most intricate, the flavors are robust, impactful, and well-blended. The finish evolves gradually, with vanilla and caramel persisting as notes of barrel char, cracked pepper, oak cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and mint emerge. The mouthfeel is notably chewy and oily, yet surprisingly tingly, especially with frequent sips. This met my expectations and is likely among the better releases from this brand I've assessed. For $84.99, it represents good value, and I intend to continue purchasing future offerings at this price.

NEAT NOSE - Initially smelled like sweet Hawaiian rolls with honey brushed on top upon pouring. After some aeration, more honey and cinnamon emerged, along with some lightly roasted nuts. PALATE - Sweet. Cinnamon and Honey FINISH - Medium BUY AGAIN?? - This is a great bourbon, but the more wheated bourbons I try, the more I realize I'm not the biggest fan. I prefer high rye bourbons and ryes significantly more. However, this is still good, and I haven't given up on wheated bourbons entirely. I wouldn't buy a backup, but I'll try to get the next batch. RECAP: I've revisited this bottle, and it's much improved from the first pour. All the notes are present, but the flavor is fuller now.

The nose offers fresh sweet hay and corn, along with hints of peanut that blend like a Payday candy bar, plus a touch of fruitiness. The palate is less complex – fruity, corny oak on the first taste. Subsequent sips turn into salty caramel and corny hay, finishing with a clean dry oak. Adding a little water makes it thicker but dulls the flavors to a vague sweet corny hay. While it's interesting and different, it lacks the classic Larceny flavor profile I enjoy with its rich dark brown sugars and dark fruit. This doesn't work for my palate, but it's still a quality bourbon.

Aroma: An incredible burst of amazingness, featuring abundant butterscotch, vanilla, and caramelized apples. Possibly the best scent I've encountered with these products from this brand. Truly remarkable. Taste: Echoes the aroma, with the addition of a slightly browned marshmallow note. Overall: Wow. This is an absolutely phenomenal bottling. It drinks significantly above its price point, in my view, and the proof is remarkably well-hidden. The decadent finish is quite long, coating the palate with delightful vanilla and butterscotch notes.