Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A123 Review
Barrel Proof Series
Grab a pour and join me as I do a Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A123 Review! Batch C922 was rated #1 Whiskey of 2022 by Breaking Bourbon, so let’s see how the first batch of 2023 measures up.
The Larceny Barrel Proof bourbons are aged 6 to 8 years, are non-chill filtered, and have a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, which happens to be the same mashbill of its older brother Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond. Batch A123 hits the books at 125.8 proof, which makes it the second-highest proof Larceny release to date, right behind Batch C922 which had a proof of 126.6.
Heaven Hills barrels their whiskey at 125 proof and they use oak barrels that are charred to Level 3 (40 seconds) out of a possible Level 7 (3.5 minutes). Level 3 should caramelize the sugars in the oak and provide a smoky sweetness to the bourbons stored inside.
Series: Larceny Barrel Proof – released 3 times per year
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 6 – 8 years
Proof: 125.8
Proof Designation: Barrel Proof
Filtered Status: Non-Chill Filtered
Mash bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Company: Heaven Hill
Bottled By: Old Fitzgerald Distillery
Distilled/Aging Location: Bardstown, Kentucky
Release Date: January 2023
MSRP: $60 (2023)
Availability: Moderately Available
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A123 Review
My tasting reviews are unique in that I include the notes of several well-known whiskey critics. The hope is that this format will help me and others to explore and expand their tasting experience. After you have taken your own tasting notes, read the reviews and see if there is a flavor note that others discerned that now you can detect as well.
Appearance
It has a Deep Copper color (about 1.3 on the color scale). In a Glencairn, a swirl leaves a very nice, long-lasting oily crown with long legs.
Nose
Caramel, butterscotch, a hint of peanut shells, fig.
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Mash & Drum: Very sweet. Butterscotch, which is my favorite note to get in bourbon. It’s also fruit forward, some nuttiness, cinnamon, nutmeg, almost a chili powder note. The nose is fantastic.
Whiskey Raiders: Beautiful caramel, waffle cone, honey, toffee and a dash of cake batter. Touch of cinnamon, clove and a zip of ginger and brown sugar.
Breaking Bourbon: Nutmeg | Baked bread | Dull cinnamon spice | Light oak | Dry baking chocolate | Hints of summer fruit sweetness | Dab of ethanol | Clear wheat grain influence.
Palate
Caramel, cocoa, butterscotch, cinnamon, a hint of Luxardo cherries.
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Mash & Drum: Caramel, butterscotch, a little chocolate, you feel that spice! Nuttiness like chocolate-covered peanuts, cinnamon spice, still getting that chili powder or chili flake. It has a lot of wheat-grain flavor.
Whiskey Raiders: Rich on the palate, syrupy and viscous. Maple, caramel candies, a prickle of ethanol and cherry cordials. Some apple butter, lovely sweetness.
Breaking Bourbon: Baked bread | Light cola | Baking spices | Chocolate fudge | Nutmeg | Caramel & butterscotch swirl | Syrup | A nice blend of flavors.
Finish
Medium-long finish, caramel, mild baking spices, maple syrup.
Other Reviewer’s Perceptions
Mash & Drum: Long, lingering finish.
Whiskey Raiders: Long finish, it’s spicy and rich, maple driven and oh so savory and satisfying. Cola, root beer, cinnamon spice and maple all day long.
Breaking Bourbon: Big oak | Bold heat | Caramel sweetness | Short
The Burn
4 out of 5. This means that the burn from the alcohol is a bit lower (5% to 9%) than what I would expect it to be. I would guess this to be around 115 proof, not 125.8 proof.
Summary
Comparing Batch A123 to C922, my palate prefers C922. It is more creamery on the tongue, the alcohol burn is a 5 so it seems much lower proof than A123 even though it is actually a higher proof (126.6 -vs- 125.8), the ethanol on the nose is more muted, flavors are more balanced and a little sweeter.
I would definitely still purchase A123, but I would purchase a few more backups of C922.
Rating
The higher the score the better, more available, or closer to MSRP the whiskey should be.
| Score Type | Score | Examples |
| Likability Score | 7.9 | 1.0 – 10.0 |
| Availability Score | 3 | 1-Rare, 2-Hard to Find, 3-A Little Hunting, 4-Easy to Find |
| After Market $ Score | 3 | 1-Pappy Van Winkle, 2-Stagg Jr, 3-Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, 4-Always at MSRP |
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Great review! Just picked one of these up on a trip to California and am excited to try it.