Heaven Hill John E. Fitzgerald Larceny 1870

Although Larceny has its own website citing the Old Fitzgerald Distillery, this bourbon is in fact produced at Heaven Hill. It matured for about 6 years and is named after John E. Fitzgerald, an infamous bonded treasure agent – a tax collector – who illegally took advantage of his access to certain casks, that were soon known as the Fitz Barrels. Hence the key on the label. He also gave his name to that other well-known bourbon Old Fitzgerald. Larceny is a fairly new brand from Heaven Hill, launched in 2012. The big difference with most other bourbons is the fact that – next to corn – the most important grain is not rye, but wheat.

The nose is soft and sweet on squashed banana, drenched in caramel, brown sugar and loads of cinnamon. Something that reminds me of resin. Buttered toast. Or the crust of a freshly baked bread. But very soft, it must be said. A lightweight.

The arrival is too late to my taste, almost watery. That is a pity. Well seasoned though. And very sweet on cinnamon, sweet corn, brown sugar and vanilla. Honey as well. But again, truth be told, very light.

Only in the finish – which luckily is rather long – does it show its true nature. Spicy and honeysweet.

Less spicy than usual because of the lack of rye in the mix, but that makes this one simply too light. Only the finish was truly worthy.