It's time to dive into a new batch of Larceny Barrel Proof! I have already visited this wheated bourbon on two other occasions prior to tonight. I always try to taste something new several times to make sure I am not having a 'fluke' of a tasting during any formal reviews. I hope everyone spent some great time with family this week.
Let's check Larceny C922 out!
Company on Label: Old Fitzgerald Distillery (Heaven Hill)
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, and 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 126.6°
Age: 6 years (a blend of 6 to 8 year barrels)
Further identification: Batch C922 is the 3rd and final release from 2022
Nose: Funky malted barley, caramel, and nutty butterscotch jump out at me. It's slightly bready, but tinged with an apparent proofy edge. Deep inhales show off bright vanilla. Overall it is simple yet imbalanced. There are flashes of orange marmalade, but otherwise it's just very traditional Heaven Hill as printer paper and vanilla sit in the glass. It's not quite as good as the 7 year bottled in bond release that Heaven Hill puts out, and I'm always surprised at how spice forward their wheated mash bills come out.
Palate: My first sip is zesty with orange peel upfront followed by molasses. Chocolate, malt, and raspberry meet in a messy conglomeration. Layers of spice wash over the tongue in a way that says younger whiskey, without the true hallmarks of such a sip, namely missing distinct grains. Another sip is just as potent and spiced as allspice sits blandly yet still slightly uncomfortably on the tongue. Plum, linen & dark oak meld heavily. My last sip is softer than the rest with chocolate and some clementine sweetness.
Rating: 3/5
Overall this pour was far too one directional for me to love, but it is definitely approachable for a sipping whiskey if you enjoy spice and heft in your sips. I historically love Elijah Craig barrel proof releases significantly more than these. Check out some of my other 3/5 reviews to see what kind of company this release keeps. Cheers!