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 14th release of the Larceny Barrel Proof we have reviewed.
As usual, this is a blend of six—to eight-year-old straight bourbons. Each one is subtly ( or sometimes not so subtly but still within the house style) different from the others to maintain interest and differentiate them. Mash bill as per usual – 68% Corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley. As a side note Heaven Hill has a set of six standard mashbills it uses in its main whiskies, with the Parker Heritage Series being the exception.

Past Releases : (We have reviewed twelve so far Number 13 is MIA in my office).

The first release for 2024 was Lot A124 at 124.2 Proof in January. It was a bit hot compared to the others; I think the wheat was the culprit. Overall, it was decent and within its usual range. The second release for the year was B525 in May at 125.4 Proof and a favorite for the year.Very smooth and flavorful, a release to look out for. The third release was C924 at 125.1 Proof

The first release from 2023 was 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. Lot C923 is the 3rd and final release of 2023 of the new Larceny Barrel Proof series, a barrel-proof product for this year.  At 126.4, it is at the higher end of the proof range (114.8 – 126.6) to date and 2 points higher 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.

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 are going to be three releases of this whiskey each year: January (Done), May (This One), and September – 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 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. There seems to be a touch more red in this release, which hints at slightly more older whiskey in the blend. On swirling, it leaves a light oily coating, and a lot of small droplets form on the edgeline. This release acts a bit differently than previous ones.

First Impression: Dark fruit, corn, saddle soap, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, and other spices. Even at 125 proof, the alcohol does not overwhelm the nose. The alcohol notes are a bit more muted than a few previous releases. 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 c923

Taste: Wheat is definitely noticeable in its entry, mouthfeel, and overall taste. The Larceny enters as a light, biscuity, grainy entry with a touch of sweetness and a touch of oiliness. This is rapidly followed by drying notes with oak, char, mint, a touch of clove, and some vanilla notes. There are also some dry spice notes and fruit. Overall, this is a reasonably restrained whiskey in its flavor and a bit lighter than some of the previous releases.

Drinks: Great for most cocktails for those who want a less aggressive or heavy whiskey. Be sure to adjust for proof when mixing to retain balance.

Bottle: Was not sent a production bottle, so I cannot comment much. Seems to be a standard Barrel Proof Larceny bottle with notations.

Other: It comes out three times a year, usually in January, May, and September.

Final Thoughts: One of the better releases of late. If you like wheated bourbons, this one is a good value for the money.

Website: www larcenybourbon.com

Somewhat informative site, but the reviews of the various releases do not seem to work. Glad I wrote all of mine up!