Review #128: Larceny Barrel Proof C924

Review #128: Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C924

COST: $60 for 750mL bottle

AGE: 6 yrs

MASH BILL: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley

PROOF: 125.1

A local store that I go to had barrel proof batch C924 for both Larceny and Elijah Craig at the same time. However, he was only holding the LBP C924 bottles behind the counter because he only got one case of it and one of the bottles busted and really decimated the labels on the rest of the bottles in the box. After sifting through the case, this was the one in the best condition by a long shot. Some of the others you literally couldn’t tell what it even was except that it was Larceny by the shape of the bottle. Regardless, I picked up this bottle and I’m glad I did because I haven’t seen it on a shelf since.

Now, I generally like wheated bourbons more than bourbons that use rye as the secondary grain. That said, I’ve generally always liked ECBP batches over LBP batches with a few exceptions. This particular season, the ECBP batch was a little shy of being great on the T8ke scale for me. So, this might be an opportunity for the LBP batch to outshine the ECBP batch for the C924 season. Let’s dive in!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: Slight reddish, mahogany in color (1.6), makes a great bead of rings that take a solid 30 seconds before they begin to finally produce tear drop legs that slowly run down the side of the glass. This looks like it’s going to be thick and rich! Let’s see…

NOSE: Dominating note of cherry cola, with a balance of thin mint cookies, caramel, orange peel, a touch of toasted coconut and allspice, and green oak. The more I nose this the heavier the chocolate note gets creating more of a chocolate coated cherry note.

PALATE: This has a viscous mouthfeel that coats well. It has a slight proof heat, but still drinks under its 125+ proof statement. Notes of sweet cherries and milk chocolate filled with caramel dominate. There’s a hint of citrus that stands out first, but a load of baking spice going into the finish: cinnamon foremost, allspice, and a touch of candied ginger. I also pick up a note of mint (which I normally don’t get with other wheated bourbons, but do commonly get with Larceny).

FINISH: The finish is long and is semi-dry and tannic. There are notes of dark brown sugar, toasted oak, burnt chocolate with a touch of mint, and an occasional red fruit note.

RATING: 6.9/10

VALUE: 7.0/10 (This takes into account price, overall rating, age, and proof. See my spreadsheet for more details.)

OVERALL: Side by side with ECBP C924, this is undoubtedly the better bottle of the two to me. This has a great red fruit profile, complex mix of sweetness and earth and spice. The nose and palate carry a lot more of a sweet profile than the finish. LBP (as well as ECBP) isn’t ever going to be something that’s unique or does something different on the palate than other whiskeys, but they just “do it better” so to speak. This batch of LBP is quite good, boarderline great, but I do think it could improve by some of the notes of young oak and mint developing further. I think as the age statement of LBP increases over time, which I hope it will, we will see the flavor profile round out more and see it mellow out more and allow that red fruit sweetness to really shine through.

1 | Disgusting | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

2 | Poor | Balcones Lineage

3 | Bad | High West Double Rye, Jefferson's Ocean 28

4 | Sub-par | Weller's SR, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

5 | Good | Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, Green River Wheated

6 | Very Good | Blanton's, Holladay Bourbons, Eagle Rare

7 | Great | Baker's 7yr SiB, WhistlePig PiggyBack SiB, 1792 BiB

8 | Excellent | Most ECBP batches, JD SiB BiB, High West MWND Act 11

9 | Incredible | Barrel Bourbon Batch T8ke, BBC DS #7, Four Roses OESQ

10 | Perfect | Found North Batch 08