Bourbon

Whiskey Review: Larceny Barrel Proof (Batch B522)

We review Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Batch B522. It's the second release of the series in 2022.

OVERALL RATING

7
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Larceny Barrel Proof B522 (image via Scott Bernard Nelson)

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
I described the May 2021 release as “the color of gingerbread,” and I’ll stand by that description a year later.
Nose:
Banana bread, cinnamon twists, and vanilla extract. At 123.8 proof, it’s not surprising that a splash of water helps this whiskey open up. With or without water, though, the 2022 version is a bit mellower and sweeter than the 2021.
Palate:
Gingersnap spice comes first, which is similar to what I experienced with last year’s release. Think nutmeg and cinnamon. The second wave of flavor is deeper, darker, and richer. Pipe tobacco, prunes, leather, and maple syrup. Finally, it settles in for a relatively long finish with hazelnut notes.
Finish:
Comments:
In fairness, May to May comparisons aren’t the only ones we could have made. There were September and January releases in between. But the May 2021 and May 2022 releases make for a natural A/B test in any case, and gave me a baseline to check the new pour against. The bottom line is that I like it; it’s very good bourbon. I liked the 2021 slightly more, and I really liked the $49.99 MSRP a year ago better.rnrnBut even at $60, Batch B522 warrants consideration to add to your home bar. The barrel-proof release is intense enough for those of us who like a whiskey with a kick, but subtle enough that it won’t drive away everyone else. Add a splash of water, and this bourbon is something you could pour for anyone on any occasion.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Scott Bernard Nelson

Scott Bernard Nelson is a writer, actor, and whiskey reviewer based in Portland, Oregon. While currently working in higher education, he previously dedicated 22 years to journalism, covering impactful events such as 9/11 in Manhattan, crossing into Iraq with U.S. Marines, and contributing to The Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of abuse in the Catholic Church, which inspired the film "Spotlight." Since 2019, Scott has shared his insights as a whiskey reviewer for The Whiskey Wash.  

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