The Review:
Nose:
First dive into the glass emits an immediate punch of brown sugar, and rich, almost molasses- like syrup fills the nostrils. For being almost 125 proof, the alcohol punch and ethanol burn is more minimal than what I expected. A subtle mesh of orange peel and dark dried fruits come through next, followed by very light notes of oak and barrel tannins. Overall, this is a very sweet and pleasant nose, but nothing overly complex.
Taste:
Immediately the “Larceny” wheated profile comes through for me on initial sip. Notes of fresh baked bread and cinnamon glide across the front and center of the palate. That classic Heaven Hill toasted caramel-drizzled almond note, shows up on the center of the tongue. This is drinking far smoother than the proof would suggest. The oak is more prevalent than on the nose, but the immense sweetness is the most dominant note from start to finish.
Mouthfeel/Finish:
The mouthfeel is decent, but not near as coating or viscous as I would have hoped for, from a barrel proof expression. The flavors are consistent from start to finish, but it has a medium finish overall.
Overall Impression:
If you are a fan of the base Larceny, you will not be disappointed in the A120 barrel proof offering, especially at $50. This is a very nice cask strength bourbon at an affordable price. I do feel there are superior expressions very near this price range, and I would have no problem jumping up to $60 to get an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) or Old Forester 1920 instead. Similar to the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof expressions for me personally, I am expecting bigger and better things from the next two releases of 2020. The C batches of ECBP have consistently been my favorite releases over the past few years, and I am curious to see if the Larceny Barrel Proof follows the same trend.
Maximum Price I Would Pay: $62
Class: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
