Typically, the only Larceny Barrel Proof I could ever get off the shelf was a store pick; the regular releases were always on allocation. But, Batch A125 is on the shelves at Hokus. Like its release number, it is 125 proof. I got two bottle for $65 each, because, well, I could. Heaven Hill has also has a new release of Old Fitzgerald, a seven year old bottled in bond wheated bourbon, that is the same price as Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond. Heaven Hill is definitely upping its wheated bourbon game.

The color on this bourbon is a deep amber with lots of reddish hue. Given the color, and the reported six to eight year old age of the bourbons blended for this release, I am betting that there is a lot of eight year old bourbon in this that was in the hotter part of the Heaven Hill warehouses. Big thick film and legs on the swirl. On the nose is very traditional bourbon, but with lots of yeasty bread notes, English toffee, and caramel cooking on the stove. On the palate, the rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon rolls, and Indonesian clove tobacco (now banned in the U.S.). The mouthfeel is about medium and the bourbon is smooth despite the high proof. On the finish, the clove tobacco and vanilla linger while being joined with lovely oak.

My wife Catherine tried it and really liked it. When I was at Hokus Pokus my law partner came in and was buying Maker’s Mark and I grabbed one of these off the shelf. He and his son also really enjoyed it. This is a special bottle but its available and I recommend it for anyone who loves wheated bourbon.