How to Drink Larceny Small Batch

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 05:22 pm

Discover my way of drinking Larceny Small Batch: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• The best way to drink Larceny is by adding a dash of water to soften heat and enhance sweetness, according to whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
• Excellent for everyday sipping due to its affordable price.
• Simple glassware like a whiskey tumbler or rocks glass is sufficient.
• Tastes of banana bread and caramel, with a sweet and warm finish.
• Suitable for cocktails like Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Bourbon Sour.
• Pairs well with foods like barbecue ribs, dark chocolate, and apple pie.
• Store in a cool, dimly lit place and consume promptly when low.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Way to Drink Larceny Small Batch

Whiskey expert Neil Coleman suggests “Adding a dash of water to Larceny bourbon to soften its mild heat and enhance its sweetness, elevating the drinking experience.”

This sweet wheated bourbon, while not at the level of top-tier options like Weller or Pappy Van Winkle, is regarded as superior to the well-known Maker’s Mark, making it an excellent choice for regular enjoyment.

Not a Bourbon to impress others, but one that gets the job done at a hard-to-beat price.

How to Add Water

To find the ideal taste for your palate, begin by trying the drink neat, immediately after pouring.

Gradually introduce water, adding it drop by drop, and sample continuously until you achieve the flavor that suits you best.

On the Rocks

Chilling Larceny tends to trap its flavors, so adding water is recommended to unlock its taste profile.

However, if you prefer it cold, using large ice cubes or whiskey stones can chill it without overly muting the flavors.

Selecting the Right Glassware

Fancy glassware isn’t necessary for enjoying Larceny bourbon; a simple whiskey tumbler or rocks glass will suffice to fully appreciate this pour.

Tasting Notes

At first, you might notice a mild burn in the aroma, which then transitions into dominant scents of banana bread and caramel.

The initial sip may feel slightly fiery but quickly becomes smoother, with oak spice enhancing the sweet caramel flavor and banana bread notes.

The texture, though somewhat thin, isn’t watery. It concludes with a sweet, warmly satisfying finish that leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

Larceny in Cocktails

Here are three cocktail recipes that pair well with wheated bourbon like Larceny:

Old Fashioned

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp sugar)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange twist, for garnish
• Directions: Muddle the sugar and bitters in a glass. Add the bourbon and stir. Add ice cubes and stir until chilled. Garnish with an orange twist.

Manhattan

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Cherry, for garnish
• Directions: Combine bourbon, vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

1. Bourbon Sour:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Egg white (optional, for froth)
• Lemon twist, for garnish
• Directions: Shake bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) with ice. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Pairing with Food

Five food pairings that complement the smooth and sweet profile of wheated bourbon are:

1. Barbecue Ribs: The sweet and smoky flavors of barbecue ribs pair well with the caramel notes in wheated bourbon.
2. Dark Chocolate: The richness of dark chocolate enhances the sweet and complex flavors of the bourbon.
3. Aged Gouda Cheese: The nutty and caramel notes in aged gouda cheese complement the sweetness of wheated bourbon.
4. Grilled Steak: A juicy grilled steak balances the sweetness of wheated bourbon with its savory and rich flavors.
5. Apple Pie: The classic combination of apple pie and wheated bourbon works well, as the sweetness and spice in the pie match the bourbon’s profile.

Preserving the Bottle

• Store the bottle in a cool, dimly lit area.
• Ensure the bottle is securely closed to avoid oxidation.
• When the contents fall below a quarter of the bottle, consume it promptly to preserve its taste.

About Larceny Small Batch

• Bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV).
• Mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley.
• Contains bourbons aged 6 to 12 years, no specific age statement.
• Scored 93 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• Named in the top 20 spirits by F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.
• Recognized as a “Best Buy” by Whisky Magazine.
• Produced at Heaven Hill Distillery, alongside Elijah Craig and Evan Williams.