Larceny Barrel Proof (Batch B520)

Wheated bourbons which feature wheat rather than rye as their secondary grain to corn have attracted legions of devotees in recent years despite being relatively few compared to their rye counterparts. “Wheaters” like Pappy Van Winkle have achieved rock star status putting them out of reach for many of us. So when we taste a widely available wheated bourbon that displays the soft sweet fruity profile of the style we take note.

Larceny Barrel Proof our Whisky of the Year delivers on wheated bourbon’s appeal and then some. Big and powerful it enters the ring at 61.1% ABV but it’s no lumbering heavyweight. It floats across the palate with stunning grace and subtlety its wheated mashbill a delicate counterpoint to its formidable proof. It begins with a flurry of sweet bakery aromas: honey bun angel food cake and apple pie à la mode. The palate dazzles with notes of crème brûlée chocolate drizzled caramel honey-roasted peanuts and lashings of baking spice followed by a lengthy finish loaded with cinnamon more chocolate and robust spice. Water helps unleash layers of these flavors but Larceny Barrel Proof is amazingly enjoyable even at full proof—no easy thing for a whiskey this big.