Heaven Hill - Larceny Bourbon
Larceny - A smooth bourbon
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mReview by @mhock66
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
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- Overall80
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- Brand: Heaven Hill - Larceny Bourbon
- ABV: 46%
This is a wheated blend of 6-10 yr old bourbons, with no age statement on the bottle. The color is a nice dark copper with some red in it. When swirled in the glass, it leaves a decent coating on the inside.
On the nose, there is a blend of scents - oak, some spice, but a bready, toffee scent that definitely leaves you wanting to get this in your mouth. Some raisin in the background as well.
The initial taste gives you a full mouthfeel, with some definite oak/wood flavor, caramel, corn and bread spice (just a hint of cinnamon) and butterscotch. Maybe even a bit of sweet potato comes through. Overall, it feels smooth and balanced in your mouth. A slight alcohol burn, but with a relatively low ABV it's not overwhelming. About a half teaspoon of water definitely helps this bourbon (not that it needed any help). The water doesn't expand it into more complex flavors, but just smoothes it out a bit more and allows it to flow nicely in your mouth.
What was surprising is the very short aftertaste. All the flavors almost immediately dissipate once you swallow. There is no real lingering taste.
Overall, this is a nice smooth bourbon, but not one I'd go out of my way to get. I would drink it again, and wouldn't turn it down if someone offered me a glass. It's also one that seems to be better when drunk neat, or with a small amount of ice or water. Any mixers would diminish the taste significantly, IMO. I think for the average price of about $25 per bottle, there are better (and less expensive) whiskies out there.
@mhock66, thanks for your interesting review.
John E. Fitzgerald Larceny is the currently most available family member of Heaven Hill Distillery's Old Fitzgerald line of wheated bourbons. I have had John E. Fitzgerald Larceny from at least two bottles, and I didn't like either one of them very much. What I had I would describe as on the rough rather than smooth side. I didn't add water. Perhaps that would have rounded them out. I certainly don't rule out that there may be a lot of variation in Larceny, and that your bottle/sample may have tasted much better. Jim Murray gave Larceny a score of 94 points in his review of a sample from several years ago. The widespread variation in many whiskies is the reason why I take almost every opportunity to re-sample products I have already tasted previously.
Nota Bene that Connosr is an international club and that comments on local prices are irrelevant to the majority of members who do not have access to those prices that you do. Larceny currently averages $ 43 pre-tax on wine-searcher.com in both the UK and Europe, or 72% more than your US $ 25 price.