Larceny Bourbon Bottle Review: In-Depth Guide For 2023
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
As we continue our bourbon journey, we’ve come across wheated bourbons, and little did we know that the iconic Old Fitzgerald is related to Larceny.
Since we’re impressed with how the Old Fitz delivers, we’ve tried Larceny as well, and surprisingly it’s quite good, too.
If you haven’t tried or have second thoughts about this spirit, here’s our realistic Larceny bourbon review so you can decide if it’s a pass or not.
In-Depth Review On Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a wheated bourbon competing with other wheaters such as Weller Special Reserve and Maker’s Mark.
It’s a delightful blend of sweetness and refined characteristics and is perfect for various dishes.
Its smooth and refreshing taste and texture, with the scent of sweet cherries, make it one of the most enjoyable sipping spirits around.
Although there’s no age statement, Heaven Hill claims that it’s aged in barrels that are six to 12 years old, which makes it similar to Maker’s Mark.
Sadly, this bourbon didn’t get much attention from fanatics, despite its association with big names, especially the Old Fitzgerald (Larceny’s matured version).
Quick Facts
Distillery | Heaven Hill |
Bourbon Type | Small Batch |
Barrel Proof | 92 |
Barrel Char | #3 |
Mash Bill | Wheated Mash (68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley |
Age | NAS |
Average Price | Approx. $24.99/750ml |
How It’s Made
Larceny bourbon used wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, sourced from local farms. It will be fermented using limestone water from Kentucky.
After the distillation, it’s aged in barrels inside open-air rickhouses. These structures expose the barrels to varying temperature changes, affecting Larceny’s flavors and proof.
The master distillers select barrels from 55 rickhouses across six different sites, which blend together to create a unique flavor profile.
Fun Fact: This is how John E. Fitzgerald, a treasury agent, used to create the “Old Fitzgerald,” which was first produced in 1870.
Mash Bill
Larceny is a wheated whiskey, and its mash contains 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.
Age & Alcohol Content
Larceny small batch has no age statement, but as per the website, this is a blend of 6-12-year-old barrels.
The Larceny small batch wheated bourbon from Larceny is 92 proof or 46% ABV [1]. But the barrel-proof version is 126.6 proof [2] or 63.3% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Nose: On the nose has a deep bourbon aroma with an interesting blend of nougat, sweet caramel, and a hint of oak
Palate: Kick of alcohol on the first sip with a rich taste and mouthfeel. The caramel sweetness is still there, along with the hints of vanilla, molasses, cinnamon, and ginger.
Color: Bright new copper
Finish: Sweet and savory with a nice warmth and long finish
Balance, Body & Feel: Larceny bourbon is well-blended– oily, sweet, smooth, and dense. A crown forms as the clinging liquid from the Glencairn glass flows back into the pool.
Ownership & Distillery
Larceny bourbon is owned by the Heaven Hill Distillery, Inc., home to the legendary Old Fitzgerald. It is crafted from their own Heaven Hill distillery.
Common Larceny Bourbon Price
Type | Size | Alcohol Proof | Average Price |
Larceny Bourbon | 750ml | 92-proof | $24.99 |
This bourbon costs $24.99 per 750ml bottle (MSRP). But it may vary among liquor stores and can go up to $27 or more.
This is a decent price, quite reasonable for Larceny offers. And it’s affordable.
Compared To Other Bourbons
Bulleit Bourbon
- Bulleit is a well-recognized bottle compared to Larceny bourbon.
- They’re from different categories, as Bulleit is a high rye bourbon while Larceny is a wheated bourbon.
“I find wheated bourbons to be more rounded and softer compared to those with rye.”
— Fred Minnick, Author
- Both came from Kentucky distilleries and non-age statement whiskeys.
- If you’re into rye whiskey, opt for Bulleit, but if you’re into wheats, go for Larceny.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky
- Larceny bourbon contains 46% ABV, while Makers Mark contains 45% ABV.
- Compared to the MM, a more basic entry-level release, the Larceny is a more flavorful and rich Kentucky Bourbon.
- The Larceny Small Batch is a more robust and flavorful drink that many can enjoy with a bit of water in Glencairn glasses.
Evan Williams Bourbon
- Both whiskeys are crafted from Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown, KY, along with the other well-known bourbons like Pikesville, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna, etc.
- The Larceny is a great value for money bourbon, as it’s not only very good wheated bourbon, but it’s also very rare to find this type of product at this price range.
- However, Evan Williams is a better mixer for cocktails, especially with Coke, due to its nice warmth, flavor, and price point cheaper than Larceny.
FAQs
Is Larceny a good bourbon?
Larceny is a decent bourbon. It is simple and a good sipping bourbon— filled with flavors and a bit of a bite of oak. Also, it’s accessible.
Is Larceny bourbon top shelf?
Larceny is a top-shelf bourbon drink, which is considered an extension of Heaven Hill’s historic Old Fitzgerald franchise.
Is Larceny a good sipping whiskey?
Larceny is really good sipping whiskey. It caps every sip nicely with its overall balance– from the nose to the palate to the finish.
What is Larceny bourbon similar to?
Larceny bourbon is similar to the Old Fitzgerald, particularly the Larceny Barrel Proof. Both spirits share the same wheated mash bill.
Does Larceny bourbon have sugar?
No. Larceny bourbon doesn’t contain sugar.
Why is Larceny bourbon hard to find?
Larceny bourbon is hard to find because Heaven Hill only uses 200 barrels per batch, which is less than other wheated bourbons brands’ sales volume.
Key Takeaways
Based on our bourbon review, Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a simple yet good sipping whiskey, filled with an interesting nose and taste of nice flavors, followed by a smooth, long finish.
When ranking the best wheated bourbons, Larceny is a prime candidate, which reminds us of the Buffalo Trace White Dog Wheated Mash.
For anyone looking for a good bottle of bourbon without the high cost, Larceny is worth giving a try.
It’s an underrated bourbon when in fact, it delivers the kind of “experience” anyone would want for a spirit (minus the rye spice).
References:
- https://www.nist.gov/how-do-you-measure-it/how-do-you-measure-percentage-alcohol-beer-wine-and-other-beverages
- https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-alcohol-measured-by-proof