Larceny Small Batch is a wheated bourbon with a good name and an easy character, and my Larceny Small Batch review is a happy one. It’s soft, sweet and surprisingly good for about £40.
What is Larceny Small Batch?
It’s made by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, bottled at 46% with no age statement, and aged in new charred American oak. The recipe uses wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain, which makes it softer and sweeter. The name comes from a story about a Treasury agent who “stole” the best barrels for himself.
It’s the wheated bourbon for people who find rye-heavy ones too spicy.
Larceny Small Batch tasting notes: nose, palate and finish
Caramel, toffee and vanilla on the nose, with a bit of fresh bread and a hint of oak. It’s warm and soft.
On the palate it’s smooth and sweet, with caramel, toffee, baked bread and a gentle spice. The finish is medium to long, warm and soft. It’s a very easy bourbon, with a lot of charm.
Larceny Small Batch: neat, with water or in a drink
A glencairn, a few drops of water and a bit of patience is all it needs. It’s a great Old Fashioned base, where the sweetness shines, and it’s good with ginger ale.
Is Larceny Small Batch worth the money?
About £40 for 70 cl. At 46% with this much quality, that’s very good value, and it’s one of the best wheated bourbons around. For today’s Larceny Small Batch price, the retailer link on this page is the quickest check, and it’s worth comparing a couple of shops.
Larceny Small Batch alternatives
Maker’s Mark is the famous wheated rival, Elijah Craig Small Batch is from the same distillery, and Buffalo Trace is the easy classic.
Who should buy Larceny Small Batch?
People who like soft, sweet bourbon, and anyone who finds rye-heavy bourbons too sharp.
Larceny Small Batch: my verdict
A soft, sweet, warm wheated bourbon that’s great value. Highly recommended. Caskable score: 77 out of 100.
Caramel, toffee and vanilla, with fresh bread and a hint of oak.
Smooth and sweet, with caramel, toffee, baked bread and gentle spice.
Medium to long, warm and soft.
A soft, sweet, warm wheated bourbon that is great value.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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