Notes: I am going to skip most of my usual intros for this line of Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, as most of you have read the past intros for both the whiskey and the company in past reviews. If you have not, please consult the earlier release reviews for more background.

This is the 3rd and final release of 2024  of the new Larceny Barrel Proof series, a barrel-proof product for this year.  At 125.1, it is at the higher end of the proof range (114.8 – 126.6) to date and 3 points lower than its previous release this year but still slightly lower in proof than the current highest, the September of 2022, which was not one of our favorites to be frank. Proof, especially higher proof, is no guarantee of better flavor or overall integration of flavors.
As usual, this is a blend of six to eight-year-old straight bourbons. and each one is subtly ( or sometimes not so subtly but still within the house style) different from the other to maintain interest and to differentiate each other.

Past Releases : (We have reviewed ten so far).
The first release this year was Lot A124 at 124.2 Proof, Lot B524 at 125.4,
and this, the final release for this year, C924 at 125.1 Proof

The releases for 2023 were as follows. Lot A123 at 125.8 in January. That was one of the better ones in a while. This was followed by Lot B523 at 124.4 Proof in May, which was one of my favorites for the year and the last few years.

The releases for 2022 were as follows. The first release/batch was in January of 2022, Labeled “A 1 22” at 124.4 proof, and the second was B521 at 123.8 Proof. The third and most disappointing batch of the year was the September release of c922 126.6 Proof.

The previous years’ releases (2021) are as follows: the first batch we reviewed was the A121 at  114.8 proof, the second one was B521 at 121 proof, and the third and final one was  (C921) which weighed a touch heavier in proof at 122.6.
Previous releases of 2020 we have reviewed were the A120, the B520 122.2,  and the final batch for that year, the C920 122.4. These were the debut and first examples of the Larceny Barrel Proof line.

Standard proof for Larceny is 92 proof, so you are getting ( roughly)  about 1/3 more alcohol and a more flavor-concentrated profile than the standard. There will be three releases of this whiskey each year: January, May, and September (This One)- so look out for them! The proofs have and will vary slightly, and so will the taste to a limited degree. They will want to preserve the brand profile, but that does not mean any variation to keep it interesting – just not a huge departure from batch to batch. Some other side note on this: Finally, someone has defined what they call a small batch – a previously very slippery and elastic term in the whiskey industry – in this case, 200 barrels or less. In case you were interested, that translates into roughly 7-8,000 bottles depending on the Angels’ share and assorted spillage and shrinkage factors. They also have specified that the Heaven Hill wheated bourbon mashbill ( of course, since it is an outgrowth of the Fitzgerald line) is being used. The mashbill is 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12 % malted barley. The whiskey is bottled at barrel proof and is uncut and unfiltered, so it has all the flavors of a straight-from-the-barrel whiskey that has not been fooled with to increase shelf appearance at the cost of flavor. The age range of the barrels used in the blend is from 6 to 8 years, with the profile striving to be that of a 6-year-old bourbon but a very mature 6-year-old.

Appearance: Clear, nice fall leaf gold/bronze color. The overall color indicates a well-aged whiskey. On swirling, it leaves a light oily coating with a crinkly edge on the meniscus in English – a bit thinner as a wheated bourbon in the body than its rye cousins with less oiliness but greater homogeneity to the body – all the components of the distillate stay more closely blended.

First Impression: Dark fruit, corn, saddle soap, and spices. Even at 125.1 proof, the alcohol does not overwhelm the nose. The wheat ( rather than the usual rye for bourbon).comes across as slightly bready and without the sweet sour and spiciness of rye. A milder, slightly lighter-bodied bourbon than its brother, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof c924

Taste: Wheat is definitely noticeable in its entry, mouthfeel, and overall taste. It is light and biscuity, with a touch of sweetness rapidly followed by drying notes of oak, char, and some vanilla notes. There are also some dry spice notes and fruit, mostly a light orange and some citrusy notes. Overall, it is a fairly restrained and a touch more subtle whiskey in its flavor. Larceny is a bit lighter than a bourbon using rye in its mash bill instead of wheat.

Drinks: Great for most cocktails for those who want a less aggressive or heavy whiskey. A Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, and all the usual suspects were all excellent. Be sure to adjust for proof when mixing to retain balance.

Bottle: Heaven Hill has recently redone their Larceny bottles with a relatively drastic redesign of the label.
This was done partly to make the name Larceny more eye-catching and enhance/highlight its meaning. The short form of the story ( as we have covered the origins of both Larceny and Old Fitzgerald before and its larcenous federal agent origins) has to do with the regular theft of whiskey from the bonded warehouse during Prohibition. The front label is printed with UV reactive ink, which best appears under UV light ( they sent me a UV flashlight with a bottle – not sure if they do that at the retail level. If not, dig out your old black lightbulb from your psychedelic dungeon in the basement.
However, the type on both labels is exceedingly small and hard to read by anyone over 40.
The neck capsule is a dull copper-red gold, with a somewhat difficult-to-remove plastic wrap. The cork is a black plastic top with a real cork closure, which is increasingly rare these days!

Other: Come out three times a year, Usually in January, May and September

Final Thoughts: One of the best Larceny Barrel Proof releases to date in my opinion. A bit more integrated in its flavors and a touch smoother also.Well done!

Website: www larcenybourbon.com

It’s a somewhat informative site, but the reviews of the various releases do not seem to work. I’m glad I wrote all of mine up!