Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C920

Rating: 10/23 This is currently going head-to-head with another Larceny Barrel Proof offering and several Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs. Regular Larceny didn't wow me, but I'm told these barrel proof versions are considerably superior, so I have high hopes. Nose: Sweet, with a vegetal quality and a faint meatiness. It strangely resembles a young PX-finished bourbon. A spicy wood note emerges, featuring ginger, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and clove. A flat, bitter licorice aroma lingers at the base. This nose is adequate, but not truly enjoyable. The complexity is acceptable, the balance seems incomplete, and the individual aromas are not particularly captivating. Palate: Sweet, with mineral notes and confectioner's sugar, plus hints of apricot, and also some peanut shells and perhaps even peanut. Alcohol is certainly present. Not much is happening, and there's a burn. It's not terrible, but it's quite uninteresting. Some wood with bitter components (the licorice and a bit of smoke), but it's not overpowering at all. I truly detect the alcohol here, regrettably. The spices come across as an unripe pepperiness that can get a little harsh at times. While this might not burn as intensely as my cask strength Ry3, it comes concerningly close. This profile actually brings to mind a light, lower-tier Booker's. Finish: Mineral, bitter, dry, bland wood. And a lasting peppery burn. - Conclusion - Even Elijah Craig C920 is decidedly better than this. I suspect it's time for the Larceny range to be discontinued. The difference isn't vast, but the superior option is evident. As a significant point of comparison, a neck pour of Elijah Craig A121 completely eclipses this, even with a fatigued palate. However, it's actually worse. I was surprised by how similar it was to Ry3 (9/23), and I now believe Elijah Craig Small Batch (15/23) surpasses this. In terms of flavor, this is about the same as Elijah Craig. It might even be slightly better – making it a solid 15 rather than a low score. The issue, though, is the significant burn. I absolutely cannot score this higher than a 13, and I'm even contemplating a 9. Signatory's Caledonian 29 (1987) (12/23) has a substantial bite and a lot of that tart grain character, but it seems to accomplish its goals more effectively. I simply can't get past how much this burns while also being so light. The subtle notes of malt and banana that the Caledonian presents side-by-side are more appealing to me, though not by a wide margin. The burn is unequivocally the primary factor. Since this strikes me as a bit closer to the Ry3 than the Caledonian, I'm unfortunately settling on a 10. Many thanks to a friend for sharing this. I think I'll stick with ECBP for the time being (if I can locate any).

Nose: Bold - burnt oak, molasses, and a vanilla pod. The ethanol is quite noticeable (as expected given the alcohol content), so taking a whiff requires a moment to adjust. Toasted nuts, plump cherries, peaches, apricots, blueberries, and a hint of blackberry preserves. Clear notes of nutmeg, clove, anise, and cinnamon. For a wheated bourbon, it's uncommon to find this level of baking spices, indicating significant barrel influence and the impact of no added water. There are also subtle undertones of cumin and smoked paprika. Palate: Thick, dark molasses, burnt oak, and vanilla pod. That barrel character is certainly making its presence felt. Quite rich, transitioning between creamy and browned butter. Natural peanut butter. Cherry-flavored syrup. Overripe orange, perfumed florals. Astringent texture and bitterness. Similar notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, and so on. The palate experience closely mirrors the nose. It brings to mind the seasoned crust on a well-cooked tri-tip – a mix of salt, spices, and seared meat. English-style pipe tobacco, alongside dark chocolate cocoa. Toasted marshmallows – the kind that get a blackened exterior from being fully lit. Both the upper and mid-palate are significantly enhanced, with enough lower palate to provide support. Medium body. Finish: Naturally, a strong wave of ethanol, followed by an abundance of burnt oak, sugar, and vanilla extract. Thyme, mint, and rosemary emerge, along with a slightly vegetal note – think green bell peppers and celery salt. The ethanol persists, shifting towards vanilla frosting, while the oak tannin bitterness fills in and gradually fades. The finish is lengthy. Other observations: Larceny is the only Heaven Hill brand I just can't connect with. Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Rittenhouse... all other expressions from this distillery (that I've tried, at least) have been outstanding and perfectly suited to my taste, but Larceny and I just don't mesh. However, this barrel-proof version is much more to my liking. The sharp, brittle character I typically find is replaced by a robust, dense, rich experience. While this isn't necessarily something I'd crave, it's a clear improvement over the standard. I might keep an eye out for future batches to experience the variation, but won't feel compelled to hunt for it. A worthwhile purchase if you're intrigued.

Nose is packed with warm baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice) and peanut. Notes of cherry cola are also present. Moderate ethanol presence. Palate mirrors the nose almost exactly; if you appreciate abundant spice and peanut, this whiskey is for you. It also features rum-soaked raisin, caramel, and black pepper. The flavors are "punchy" and become "in your face." Coming from someone who enjoys intense flavors, this is a 15 out of 10. For a 6-8 year old spirit, it seems exceptionally young. Finish continues with similar notes and is shorter than expected for the appealing elements (nut, baking spices, leather, oak) and longer than desired for the less desirable ones (cinnamon/chili pepper spice). The mouthfeel is full-bodied and oily, which is the highlight of this whiskey. Oof. A chaotic blend. The oldest Larceny Barrel Proof I possess, and reviewing it so many years later reveals how the expression has evolved; the components in the blend were clearly much younger than in later releases. I believe I paid $59.99, which was a good value at the time considering bourbon price inflation, but honestly, even at that past price point, I wouldn't spend that on this particular bottling. It's the lowest rating I think I've ever given to a Larceny Barrel Proof.

The palate immediately greets with heat and spice, dry oak, and hints of ripe fruit, characteristic of wheated bourbons. Faint notes of creme brulee are in the background, suggesting some smoothness. Brown sugar and hints of leather complete the aroma. The palate is somewhat dry yet rich, coating the entire mouth quite rapidly. Oak, brown sugar, and a touch of baking spice fill the mouth, offering some chewiness. There are hints of ripe fruit, though Larceny has never been particularly known for them. Considering its barrel-proof nature, it isn't overwhelmingly intense. It is quite drinkable if you appreciate a bit of warmth in your whiskey. The finish is lengthy and slightly warm, with creme brulee notes swirling as you chew, emerging at the very end of your sip. A persistent oakiness slowly fades. The flavors on the finish linger until your next sip. This is a very full, straightforward, yet flavorful whiskey.

Opened two weeks ago. Aroma: Brown sugar, honey-roasted peanuts, grain, corn dust, powdered cinnamon, caramelized orange, strong ethanol, and oak. Palate: Tannic, caramel, molasses, orange jellies, peanut brittle, and cocoa. Followed by a hot, dry, and lengthy finish with tannic oak, clove, powdered cinnamon, molasses, and intensely hot ethanol. I acquired a small amount of this from a friend during a trading session, hesitant to buy the full bottle due to my dislike for A120. This is a notable improvement over A120, but Larceny and I just don't connect. Each time I try any version of it, it strikes me as spicier and hotter than its stated proof. The finish can be quite unpleasant at times. What I find most perplexing is that many reviews described this as sweet with less ethanol burn than expected. I consistently experience the opposite. It must be my palate.

A powerful initial aroma of tobacco emerges. Following that is prominent spice and warmth, but extended engagement reveals additional complexities. Notes of toasted sugar and butterscotch temper the spice and heat. Further exploration after several sips uncovers dark fruit, such as plum or cherry, alongside chocolate and walnut. The texture is pleasant, with spice again leading on the palate. The charred oak and alcohol content create a drying sensation on the tongue, but a chocolate and nutty character toward the end restores equilibrium. A finish featuring cherry-infused tobacco and clove leads to a lengthy, drying, and leathery conclusion. Update: After completing the review, I continued enjoying my drink and discovered the finish persists! An enduring cinnamon note remains.