Review: Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A122 (January 2022)
Heaven Hill’s most iconic wheater gets its first barrel proof release for 2022 with the arrival of Larceny A122, an unusual installment in the long-running series.
The burly nose kicks things off with a rustic attack, a bit heavy for Larceny’s typical approach and more in line with a rye-situated bourbon than one constructed from wheat. Toasted grains, some saddle leather, and a punch of creosote do a great job of tempering the fruit in the whiskey, though you can pick out some dried, dark fruits well beneath notes of dark chocolate and baking spices.
It’s an enigmatic beginning, but the palate is where things roar to life, with bolder berry notes, a sweeter, bittersweet chocolate character (classic Larceny), and lots of caramel in the mix. The bourbon’s peppery elements are well-integrated into a racy palate that eventually finds its way to a finish of blackberry and more spice — with just a hint of saline creeping into the mix, but maybe that’s just me.
Water’s a must with this one, really helping to temper the raw heat and develop the whiskey’s more nuanced flavors.
124.4 proof.
A- / $80
Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A122 (January 2022)
$80
