Larceny bourbon was first released in 2012 and bottled at 92 proof. Larceny Barrel Proof was first released in January 2020 with solid fanfare. Larceny Barrel Proof bourbon is a widely available, barrel proof, non-chill filtered, and affordable bourbon. Larceny Barrel Proof will be released annually in three batches,  January, May, and September.

You can determine the batch and the year by examining the label. The labels will have either A, B, or C for the batch with three digits following. The first number will be the month. The last two digits will be the year. For example, Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C920 was the last batch of the year (C), bottled in September (9) and 2020 (20). The first batch of 2021 will likely be A121

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#1 – Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B520 won the 2020 whiskey of the year from Whiskey Advocate. Of batch B520 they said,

Larceny Barrel Proof, our Whisky of the Year, delivers on wheated bourbon’s appeal and then some. Big and powerful, it enters the ring at 61.1% ABV, but it’s no lumbering heavyweight. It floats across the palate with stunning grace and subtlety, its wheated mashbill a delicate counterpoint to its formidable proof.

#2 – Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C920

Larceny BP Batch C920 in the Glass

Larceny BP C920 is dark rust and amber. If we eat with our eyes, why not drink with our eyes too? The depth of color makes me thirsty. There’s not a lot of viscosity to this bourbon in my Glencairn whiskey glass.

Nose – 95 out of 100 Points

Even with my mouth open, I get a good bit of ethanol on the first pop. But that’s followed up by dark, ripe cherry jam and cinnamon and caramel glaze. And just hints of rock fruit. It’s a decadent nose.

Taste – 95 out of 100 Points

Peaches, and pears, and caramel oh my. The palate is sweeter than the nose with balanced baking spice and just a bit of heat but none of the ethanol of the nose. There’s just a bit of charred oak as well. It’s quite refreshing for such a big, bold bourbon.

Finish – 93 out of 100 Points

It’s creamy caramel and white pepper with subtle baking spices on the finish and it’s medium to long.

Verdict – Gold 94 out of 10 Points

What Heaven Hill does best is distill wheaters who still have the subtle sweetness you’d expect from wheated bourbons, but with surprising boldness that’s also balanced with oak and a great finish. This barrel proof Larceny batch didn’t disappoint.

#3 – Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A120

I won a bottle of Batch A120 in a raffle at a local bourbon group get together (pre-covid). I didn’t think much of it until I popped the cork and had a dram. It was good. Really good. I finished the bottle before I could review it and couldn’t find a second bottle. Thankfully, I had a local friend share a sample. Without further ado.

Nose – 89 out of 100 Points

The nose presents ethanol at first followed by deep brown sugar, molasses, charred oak and grains. There’s a subtle caramel undertone barely present.

Taste – 92 out of 100 Points

The front of the palate shows some crisp rock fruit, oak, and molasses. The heat on the palate is present but enhances the flavors. The back of the palate has some vanilla and white pepper. It’s surprisingly refreshing for the proof.

Finish – 91 out of 100 Points

The finish is long with vanilla soaked oak and buttery charred cinnamon.

Verdict – Silver 90.6 out of 100 Points

The color is dark amber. The nose is deceiving. I was worried the heat would overpower everything through the finish but the flavor on the palate was the star and the finish lacked the length I was expecting. Overall, I enjoyed each of these Larceny Barrel Proof releases and plan to pick up 2021s. For $59, they are a no brainer.

Which Larceny Barrel Proof Batch was the best in 2020?

I had all three Larceny Barrel Proof batches, but they were so good I drank through them and didn’t do a formal review of batch A120 and B520. Wish I would’ve now.  But my good friends from It’s Bourbon Night did a three-way taste off. Check it out below.

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