Larceny Barrel Proof C921

Larceny was originally launched by Heaven Hill Distillery (DSP-KY-1) in 2012 as a small batch wheated bourbon. Larceny pays homage to the historic Old Fitzgerald franchise that was acquired by Heaven Hill Distillery in 1999 from Diageo.

Honoring the tradition of Old Fitzgerald by using wheat in place of rye as the secondary grain in the mashbill, Larceny uses more wheat (20%) than most of its competitors to provide a softer, rounder tasting experience.

Larceny would also take inspiration from the lore of John E. Fitzgerald, a bonded U.S. Treasury agent, who at the time was the only one who was legally allowed to carry one of the two keys to the barrel rickhouse. Mr. Fitzgerald had a discerning palate for fine Bourbon and would use his key to gain access to the rickhouse and thieve bourbon straight from the best barrels. Those lighter barrels from which he chose to help himself to were often referred to as “Fitzgerald barrels” around the distillery. Or as the story goes…

In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery would go on to release a barrel proof offering of Larceny that allowed consumers to experience Larceny as distillers do, straight from the barrel. The addition of being non-chill filtered and barrel proof highlights a bolder, deeper and richer character that gives us all the opportunity to taste a wheated bourbon in its purest form.

Released in three distinct batches per year: January, May, and September. Each batch varies in proof, and they all age six to eight years before being non-chill filtered and entering the bottle at barrel proof. No two bourbon barrels age exactly the same which is why every release of Larceny Barrel Proof has its own distinct flavor and proof point.

To unlock the details of a bottle of Larceny, let’s review the batch number on the label of our bottle. Today, we will be tasting the C921 release, but you can also use the information below to help decode your own bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof.

FIRST LETTER: Tells you which release it came from, starting with “A” for the first of the year, “B” for the second release, “C” for the third release.

FIRST NUMBER: Tells you what month it was released: January, May or September.

LAST TWO NUMBERS: Tells you what year it was released.

Larceny Barrel Proof C921 (September 2021)

The Facts

Name: Larceny Barrel Proof
Producer: Heaven Hill Distillery | DSP-KY-1
Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Style: Barrel Proof, Small Batch, Non-chill filtered
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Barrel entry proof: 125 Proof
Barrel char: Number 3
Warehouse: Undisclosed

Vintage / Release: September 2021 – C921
Age: NAS – 6-8 year old bourbon
Proof / ABV: 122.6 / 61.3% ABV
Closure: Wood stopper w/ natural cork
Format: 750ml clear glass bottle

Suggested Retail Price: $49.99 (2021)
Our cost: $49.99 (2021)
Cost per year aged: $7.24 (Blended avg.)
Average cost per 1oz. pour: $1.97

Awards: 95 Points – Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Double Gold – John Barleycorn

Tasting Notes

Tasted in: Glencarin, neat

Color: Tawny

Nose: Sweet maple, cinnamon, hint of orange zest

Palate: Rich oily mouthfeel with notes of vanilla, crème brûlée, leather, fig

Finish: Oak, tobacco, and leather into a lingering spice.

Final thoughts

This is an absolutely fantastic wheated bourbon! Lots of rich characteristics and an oily mouthfeel make for a very pleasant sipping experience.

Like most things in the past few years the suggested retail price has increased from $49.99 to $59.99 for the 2022 releases. However, even though the price has increased, and bottles can be hard to come by, I feel that the Larceny Barrel Proof series are an overall great value, and I would definitely purchase again.

We recommend you steal a taste just like our friend Mr. Fitzgerald! Happy hunting & cheers!

Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon – Batch C921