I’m sitting in my office right now. I’m enjoying a breeze come through the window and listening to the birds sing as they fly around my yard. Well, when someone isn’t revving their truck engine as they accelerate down one of the roads in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, that guy with the overactive accelerator scared away the little male Cardinal that was perched on a fence, singing in my vegetable garden.
It’s not that big of a deal though. After he hides in a tree for a moment to calm himself, he will be back.
The bird, not the driver.
He and his lady friend have been living in my yard for years now. This year, however, they have been getting a little bolder. They are more visible and have taken to singing outside our windows more frequently. I’d like to make some big observations about the state of the world and blah, blah blah…but honestly, it’s probably just because there aren’t as many dogs running around the yard.
Something else that has grown bolder and more visible in recent months is Larceny Bourbon from Heaven Hill. A few months ago the first batch of Larceny Barrel Proof was released. I liked it, a lot. Many others did not. Let’s see how the Spring release is.
Larceny Barrel Proof, Batch B520
Purchase info: This was graciously provided by Heaven Hill for review purposes. Suggested retail price is $49.99.
Price Per Drink (50 mL): $3.33
Details: Batch number: B520. 61.1% ABV
Nose: Mint, cinnamon candy, vanilla sugar
Mouth: Very hot, both from the alcohol level and the spice. Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and oak
Finish: Long and warm. Lingering cinnamon spice and roasted nuts.
Thoughts: Wow! That's a hot one! This screams for water. And it doesn't suffer from even the addition of a fairly substantial splash. In fact, after trying a couple of different dilution levels, I think my favorite was 100° proof. Water brings out the sweet notes of caramel and brown sugar, tames the heat, transforms the individual spice notes on the mouth and finish into a more generic "baking spice" note, and allows the oak notes to move more to the forefront of the experience.
I heard some rumbling about how A120 was too hot. And for those who thought that, watch out, this is even hotter. I’m ok with it though. That’s what water is for, and this way I can have my preferred level of dilution.
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