Bottle Banter:
Full disclosure: this review was written under mitigating circumstances. Us “bully boys” were on a “research mission”, which included a distillery tour, lots of Mexican food, maybe a few beers, and a lot of alcohol-laden banter. This may or may not be referred to by some as “field research”. Nevertheless, we invite you to read this review with a grain of salt and make your own decision.

Whiskey Description:
Larceny Barrel Proof, Bourbon Whiskey
Release A124, 62.2% ABV 124.2 Proof, age statement 6-8 years

MSRP:
$60 to $80. Secondary pricing N/A. . .yet

About the Distillery and Mashbill:
Mash Bill 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley

Larceny Barrel Proof is released three times a year from the Heaven Hill Distillery. The Larceny line is their “wheaters” label with a mashbill that prominently displays the warm and sweet notes associated with this flavoring grain, with the BP line. Admittedly, I tend to gravitate towards more savory profile on the bourbon spectrum, but these releases have found a rather long place on my shelf as they explode onto the palate with spicy greatness alongside the sweeter notes…this release being no exception.

Tater Alert: This release was recently named “Whiskey of the Year” by the American Distillers Institute, so we expect to see prices vacillate based on the chasers needing to chase. That said, other releases have won awards in the past with reasonable price movements, so we shall see!

Conditions:
2 sittings: 1) Drury Inn, Colorado Springs after a tasting at the 291 Distillery and some Mexican food. Fresh crack, Norlan Crystal whiskey glass. 2) Next day on an ice ball, Norlan rock glass.

Appearance:
Pale, auburn slow pronounced legs (due to sweet and alcohol content)

Aroma (nose):
Intense, cinnamon red hots and oak stave, Mariupol dates, black cherry

Taste:

• Initial - pink peppercorn forward and cherry cola with a pronounced but fleeting ethanol punch on initial.

• Mid Palate - Mid palate mellows with Dr Pepper and cotton candy mixed with oak and burnt caramel.

• Finish - The finish stays with sweet notes and stone fruits, definitely does not drink at its proof. Feels more like a 105.

• Ice Melt - One would think, if not hope, that a 124 BP would stand up to an icemelt and in this case it does…until it doesn’t. That is to say, that the first 20 minutes scintillates with the sweetness at the fore as the pepper takes a back seat but then it all gets drowned out leaving not much to contemplate.

Final Thoughts:
If you love wheaters, this one will not disappoint, nay, could be one of the best out there with some fanfare to boot. But. . .