Larceny Barrel Proof 750ML

Larceny Barrel Proof 750ML is a barrel-strength wheated bourbon from Heaven Hill Distillery, bottled at cask proof (typically 115–125 proof) in a 750ml format. Batch B520 earned Whisky Advocate's 2020 Whisky of the Year and a 95-point score — a distinction that turned this release into one of the most sought-after wheated bourbons in American whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~57.5–62.5% (varies by batch)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Barrel Proof / No Age Statement  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 and now the largest independent, family-owned distillery in the United States, produces Larceny Barrel Proof using a proprietary wheated mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley — historically known as the "Old Fitzgerald Distillate" (O.F.D.) recipe, named for legendary bourbon figure John E. Fitzgerald. That wheat proportion is roughly one-third higher than most traditional bourbon mashbills, replacing rye entirely and yielding a softer, rounder grain character. Each batch is drawn directly from barrels without chill filtration and bottled at full barrel proof, preserving every layer of flavor developed during aging in new charred American oak.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted bread opens the nose, followed by warm maple syrup and ground cinnamon. Deeper inhalation reveals butterscotch and a subtle honeyed sweetness that signals the wheated mashbill.

Taste: Rich molasses coats the palate on entry, giving way to dense fig and hazelnut at mid-palate. Bold layers of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice build steadily, with oak tannins providing structure without astringency. A splash of water opens up additional honey and dark-fruit sweetness.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with nuanced spice and butterscotch fading gradually. A gentle heat lingers, reminding you of the barrel-proof intensity without overwhelming the softer wheat-driven character.

How to Drink Larceny Barrel Proof

Sipping neat in a Glencairn is the most rewarding approach — the non-chill filtered character delivers full texture and aroma at room temperature. A few drops of water tame the proof and coax out buried fruit and honey notes. For cocktails, the high proof and wheated sweetness make it a powerful mixing bourbon:

• Old Fashioned — The barrel-proof intensity holds its own against bitters and sugar, delivering a richer, more layered version of the classic.
• Boulevardier — Wheat-forward softness balances the bitterness of Campari while the high ABV cuts through sweet vermouth.
• Kentucky Mule — The caramel and vanilla backbone stands up to ginger beer's spice without getting lost.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts building a barrel-proof collection
• Gifting a whiskey lover who appreciates wheated profiles
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated vs. high-rye bourbons
• After-dinner sipping on cool evenings when a full-bodied pour is warranted

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Larceny Barrel Proof taste like? It delivers rich molasses, caramel, and fig with supporting notes of hazelnut, vanilla, and baking spice. The wheated mashbill gives it a notably softer, sweeter profile than rye-heavy barrel-proof bourbons.

How does Larceny Barrel Proof compare to Weller Full Proof? Both are barrel-strength wheated bourbons from major Kentucky distilleries, first released around 2019–2020, but they come from different mashbills and aging programs. Larceny Barrel Proof uses Heaven Hill's 68/20/12 corn-wheat-malt recipe and is generally easier to find at retail than Weller Full Proof, which benefits from the Buffalo Trace allocation hype.

Is Larceny Barrel Proof good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the non-chill filtered bottling preserves oils and texture that reward neat sipping, and a few drops of water can open up additional complexity for those sensitive to high proof.

Where is Larceny Barrel Proof made? It is distilled and bottled at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon country. Heaven Hill has operated in Bardstown since 1935 and remains the largest independent, family-owned American spirits producer.

What foods pair well with Larceny Barrel Proof? Dark chocolate truffles complement its caramel and molasses depth. Smoked pork belly matches the oak and spice. Pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's nutty sweetness. Aged Gouda echoes caramel and butterscotch notes. Crème brûlée pairs naturally with the vanilla-forward palate.

What sizes does Larceny Barrel Proof come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; availability of other formats varies by batch and market.

Is Larceny Barrel Proof worth the price? It positions as a premium barrel-proof bourbon that competes favorably with allocated wheated expressions costing significantly more. The 95-point Whisky Advocate score and Whisky of the Year recognition underscore its strong value proposition within the barrel-proof category.

Why Larceny Barrel Proof?

Few barrel-proof wheated bourbons deliver this combination of accessibility and critical acclaim. The 2020 Whisky of the Year win from Whisky Advocate validated what many bourbon drinkers had already discovered: Heaven Hill's historic O.F.D. mashbill, with its unusually high wheat content, produces a barrel-proof bourbon that is intense yet approachable. Non-chill filtration keeps the full spectrum of flavor intact from barrel to glass, and the rotating batch releases — designated A (January), B (May), and C (September) — give drinkers the chance to explore how seasonal and barrel variation shapes each bottling. In a market where comparable wheated barrel-proof bottles are often impossible to find at retail, Larceny Barrel Proof remains a relatively obtainable expression that punches well above its tier.