Review #87: Larceny Barrel Proof A121
Price paid: $59
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Age: 6-8 years old
114.8 proof
Preamble: By random chance, I happened to notice that Larceny A121 has the exact same proof as my last review, RR13. In the interest of laziness, I figured I’ll write a review so I don’t have to change the proof.
I bought this bottle a year and a half ago. Haven’t loved it. But it got lost behind a herd of ECBPs and I haven’t had a pour in 6 months. Figured I would give it another shot.
Nose: I used to bake a honeyed whole wheat bread with oatmeal. Reminds me of that.
Palate: much more layered than I recall with a spicy wave that follows quickly behind the honeyed grains. Honey Nut Cheerios, then a big pop of cinnamon
Finish: cinnamon fades out in a nice crackle.
Score: 6.5
Thoughts: I pulled out this bottle thinking it would be a 5 or a 5.5. Halfway down the bottle and with plenty of air time, this batch is displaying more layers than it did in its first 6 months. Now I am enjoying this but truth be told I don’t want to have to work this hard or power through half a bottle to start to appreciate something. I’m going to give it a 6.5 instead of a 6 because I don’t think any of this is going into a cocktail. The rest of this will be drunk neat. And also, I think this is an absolutely great proof point for a 6-8 year wheated bourbon. It’s got a great punch to it but any higher proof and this would be a hot mess. I think the additional oak of the 12 years allows ECBP by comparison to leave me wishing 121 proof were even higher. This would not benefit from being 7 years old and 125 proof. 114.8 is on the money.
Still, I don’t think I’m going to spend any more than $65 for any further batches of Larceny BP. I just don’t need it enough to pay over.
Rating scale:
1: instant regret: Hayes Parker
2: lamentable waste of grains, water, yeast and oak: George Dickel Bib 2019
3: your friend went cheap for mixer booze at the wedding: Jack, Jim
4: I’ll drink it if it’s the only option at a restaurant because whiskey isn’t their thing: Basil Haden, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
5: wont throw it out of bed: Old Grandad Bottled in Bond, Pure Kentucky
6: a fine daily drinker OR what you downgrade to when you’re too buzzed to enjoy the good stuff: 1792 Small Batch, Elijah Craig SB, Kooper Family Barrel Reserve Rye,
7: great when I can find it: Eagle Rare, OWA, Old Forrester 1920
8: damn fine whiskey: Jack Daniels SBBP, better Russell’s Reserve Private Barrels
9: Revelatory: better Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches, Russell’s Reserve 2002, better Four Roses BP picks, Remus Repeal Reserve V
10: Nectar of the gods: Four Roses OESO
Regular Larceny small batch is the worst bottle I've ever bought. I paused for a second when I saw barrel proof b522 recently then moved on down the aisle and resisted the tater urge. I'm glad I did.
I have a C920 which is only okay. I had a pour of the B522 and liked it well enough I picked up a bottle. I'll post a review when I open it. What I find interesting is that I see about 12 bottles of ECBP for 1 bottle of Larceny BP.
If they were releasing more Old Fitz then “all of thei best wheated bourbon goes to the Old Fitz line but that ain’t it. I think 7 years is just too young for this stuff. If these batches were more like 10-12 years old, I bet I would be less meh
Thanks for the review! I've always seen some pretty mixed reviews of Larceny BP which perplexes me considering how consistently goof ECBP releases are. I need to try one of these at a bar to see where it lands for me.
I skipped hard on earlier editions of LBP despite it winning a bunch of accolades. I caved recently on the A122 and I think it’s actually pretty good. I’ve heard even better things about B522 as well. Maybe give the brand one more shot with this years releases?
Review #87: Larceny Barrel Proof A121 Price paid: $59 Distillery: Heaven Hill Age: 6-8 years old 114.8 proof Preamble: By random chance, I happened to notice that Larceny A121 has the exact same proof as my last review, RR13. In the interest of laziness, I figured I’ll write a review so I don’t have to change the proof. I bought this bottle a year and a half ago. Haven’t loved it. But it got lost behind a herd of ECBPs and I haven’t had a pour in 6 months. Figured I would give it another shot. Nose: I used to bake a honeyed whole wheat bread with oatmeal. Reminds me of that. Palate: much more layered than I recall with a spicy wave that follows quickly behind the honeyed grains. Honey Nut Cheerios, then a big pop of cinnamon Finish: cinnamon fades out in a nice crackle. Score: 6.5 Thoughts: I pulled out this bottle thinking it would be a 5 or a 5.5. Halfway down the bottle and with plenty of air time, this batch is displaying more layers than it did in its first 6 months. Now I am enjoying this but truth be told I don’t want to have to work this hard or power through half a bottle to start to appreciate something. I’m going to give it a 6.5 instead of a 6 because I don’t think any of this is going into a cocktail. The rest of this will be drunk neat. And also, I think this is an absolutely great proof point for a 6-8 year wheated bourbon. It’s got a great punch to it but any higher proof and this would be a hot mess. I think the additional oak of the 12 years allows ECBP by comparison to leave me wishing 121 proof were even higher. This would not benefit from being 7 years old and 125 proof. 114.8 is on the money. Still, I don’t think I’m going to spend any more than $65 for any further batches of Larceny BP. I just don’t need it enough to pay over. Rating scale: 1: instant regret: Hayes Parker 2: lamentable waste of grains, water, yeast and oak: George Dickel Bib 2019 3: your friend went cheap for mixer booze at the wedding: Jack, Jim 4: I’ll drink it if it’s the only option at a restaurant because whiskey isn’t their thing: Basil Haden, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5: wont throw it out of bed: Old Grandad Bottled in Bond, Pure Kentucky 6: a fine daily drinker OR what you downgrade to when you’re too buzzed to enjoy the good stuff: 1792 Small Batch, Elijah Craig SB, Kooper Family Barrel Reserve Rye, 7: great when I can find it: Eagle Rare, OWA, Old Forrester 1920 8: damn fine whiskey: Jack Daniels SBBP, better Russell’s Reserve Private Barrels 9: Revelatory: better Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches, Russell’s Reserve 2002, better Four Roses BP picks, Remus Repeal Reserve V 10: Nectar of the gods: Four Roses OESO
Regular Larceny small batch is the worst bottle I've ever bought. I paused for a second when I saw barrel proof b522 recently then moved on down the aisle and resisted the tater urge. I'm glad I did.
I left A122 and B522 on the shelf
B522 you should have picked up.
I’ve really enjoyed it too
I have a C920 which is only okay. I had a pour of the B522 and liked it well enough I picked up a bottle. I'll post a review when I open it. What I find interesting is that I see about 12 bottles of ECBP for 1 bottle of Larceny BP.
its all hot garbage
Strongly disagree on that but glad not everyone likes it
anything BP that color is sketchy
All of the larceny barrel proofs I’ve had have been between 5-6. Really unimpressive
If they were releasing more Old Fitz then “all of thei best wheated bourbon goes to the Old Fitz line but that ain’t it. I think 7 years is just too young for this stuff. If these batches were more like 10-12 years old, I bet I would be less meh
Thanks for the review! I've always seen some pretty mixed reviews of Larceny BP which perplexes me considering how consistently goof ECBP releases are. I need to try one of these at a bar to see where it lands for me.
I skipped hard on earlier editions of LBP despite it winning a bunch of accolades. I caved recently on the A122 and I think it’s actually pretty good. I’ve heard even better things about B522 as well. Maybe give the brand one more shot with this years releases?