Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B522

There seems to be among some people a debate pitting Larceny BP against Elijah Craig BP. I'm gonna be honest here: I would never turn down either one. Larceny is still reasonably priced in my neck of the woods and so whenever it's available I buy it. Elijah Craig is also reasonably priced and whenever I see it, I pick up a bottle. At the moment, however, I only have one bottle of Elijah Craig, that being A123, where I went out and nabbed a second after tasting how good the first was. As for Larceny, I have one bottle of C921, 3 bottles of A122, and 3 bottles of B522. I haven't opened the C921. I've tasted the A122 and gave it a 3.75 at the time, but it's more deserving of a 4 in retrospect and I look forward to the other bottles at some point. And I've just opened the B522. Last night when I was talking about my whisky collection someone jokingly referred to me as a hoarder. Well, there's sort of some truth in that. But the reason I buy in bulk is to make sure I get the whisky I like while it's still reasonably priced. ECBP has gone up, Larceny has gone up. Everything is going up, so yes, I will buy a few bottles when I have the chance at a decent price so I can still drink the stuff I like without having to pay out the nose for it. And then, when it gets priced beyond what I'm willing to pay, I still at least have a little bit (I say this having picked up a 3rd bottle of Maker's BEP yesterday because it's $70 in my neck of the woods and why wouldn't you pick up three bottles at that price? It's not like it goes bad). That said, it's tough without the Larceny A122 open to gauge how I feel about the B22 against it, but I'm thinking I like the B522 better, which is also funny because it has a lower community rating on here. Now I'm tasting this straight and it's good that way, it's how I always pass my judgements here, but I believe I've mentioned previously that when the proof starts pushing 120+, I tend to like those best with a single melted ice cube. Now, here's the thing: there's a strong similarity here between the batches. This ones got a lot of cocoa powder and cinnamon along with some cherry on the nose. There's a strong ethanol element because of the proof and that was what made me dock points from the A122, but it doesn't feel as prominent here in that I'm more able to tease out subtler aromas, such as an earthy wheatiness as well. On the palate it's got a slight burn but it's sweet, there's a fruitiness but also a slight peanut butter quality to the flavor and the mouthfeel is really creamy. The finish is cherry again with a bit of pepper and cardamom. So yes, I'm glad I have three bottles of this in the collection. And yes, I will be buying more as long as it stays reasonably priced. I do think that overall I myself prefer the Larcney to the Elijah Craig, but that's because I tend to like the wheated bourbons. Still, I'm also tracking ECBP 523 over here and it should be arriving in stores soon and going for around $65 still unless they decide to jack the price. So, when you've got these in that range, it's nice because you don't really have to choose. At some point the prices will get high enough that I may at which point, I'll be focusing on Old Forester 1920 and Rare Breed. Come to think of it, isn't there just an embarrassment of riches in the barrel proof/cask strength bourbon category? And that doesn't even begin to take into account the $45 Maker's CS that I really should also be stocking up on while it's there.

Have had this on hold in my cellar for two years. Time to air it out. Tasting neat. Dark golden brown and rather thin coating legs in the glass. Big nose of brown sugar and caramel corn, vanilla oak, a little dry grass, and a dose of ethanol, but not as much as you'd expect at 123.8 proof. Sweet brown sugar, cinnamon graham crackers, and caramel in the mouth. Soft and oily coating (pleasantly surprised given the lack of legs). Vanilla oak, cherry, some tannins and ethanol, but not that much. Overall, soft and sweet with maple and cherry notes. Finish comes out of that sweet mouth, turns spicy grassy, and then a looong mint tingle finish. Maybe the best part of the sip. An ice cube tames the sweet a bit, but also blands the finish. Another winner in the Larceny barrel proof series if you like a sweeter-than-spicy bourbon. Big flavors, easy sipping given the proof, very comfortable.

Freshly cracked bottle and tasted neat in a Glencairn. Nose has a lot of spice and good amount of ethanol burn to it. Faint hint of cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and cola, but its quite overwhelmed by the ethanol. Might be because it is a fresh pour. Taste is very nutty and spicy, with a little bit of cherry and vanilla sweetness at the end. Goes down with some heat for sure. Finish is slightly bitter and sweet and lasts decently long. Slightly dries out the mouth. Overall a great bottle to have, especially at the price point I can get it for. I enjoyed the A122 just a bit more and felt it was a little more complex and flavorful. Maybe this one will open up with time and really let some of those hidden/masked flavors come out more.

Wow! Nearly 124 proof, and that is readily apparent on the nose. Strong alcohol whiff that really hit hard. But I also get walnuts (more on that soon)... Drank with an ice cube. Sweet with a moderate warm hug in the chest. The burn lingers in your chest, but soon you start tasting A LOT. I got the usual oak and leather, as well as tart cherry. But walnuts came through — and I love walnuts! Also, I got hit with a blast of spiced apples at the mid-palate. Nice. This is what I consider a "complex" bourbon. Not sure if higher proof = more complex, but in this case I'd say yes. I want to note that I've had the Larceny 92, and I was none too impressed. This B522 blows it out of the water.

This is a solid wheated Bourbon for under $100. Full bodied and flavorful as you'd expect with a barrel proof bottling at 123.8 ABV. I was, however, slightly less than thrilled after my first few pours. The richness of this bourbon was overshadowed in a short time for me over the finish and heat alone. A hot glass of whiskey has become something I expect from Larceny's wheated Bourbon and not one to stand up against the finish of the other top dogs in the Stitzel-Weller accociated whiskeys. It's a bottle to be appreciated but don't shy from sharing this bottle until it is in your rear view mirror.

Aroma - getting quite a bit of dark fruits (berries, cherries) and slight citrus notes and honey. Nice oak and vanilla profile on backend. Picking up some slight red hot candied notes, touch of clove and faint hint of leather as well. Taste - Front of the palate, caramel & berries again. Mid palate, I get more spices, honey, vanilla and a slight hint of tobacco. Long finish. Somewhat nutty. Overall - really enjoy the balance of sweet and dark tones on this one. Worth the purchase 4.3