I finally sat down for a proper larceny barrel proof a125 review to see if this year's first batch lives up to the heavy expectations set by previous releases. If you're a fan of Heaven Hill or just a wheated bourbon enthusiast, you probably know the drill by now. Every year, we get three releases—A, B, and C—and there's always a bit of a frenzy to see which one takes the crown. The "A" batch is the January release, and for 2025, the A125 comes out swinging with a pretty respectable proof and that familiar wheated profile we've come to expect.
Larceny Barrel Proof has really carved out a niche for itself over the last few years. It used to be the "other" wheated bourbon that lived in the shadow of Weller, but honestly, it's become its own beast. While Weller is often impossible to find or marked up to ridiculous prices, Larceny Barrel Proof usually sits on the shelf for a reasonable price, offering a much punchier, uncut experience. Let's dive into what this specific batch brings to the table.
Breaking Down the A125 Specs
Before we get into the glass, it's worth looking at what we're actually drinking. The "A" stands for the first batch of the year, the "1" represents January, and the "25" is the year 2025. This batch clocks in at 124.8 proof. That's a solid number—it's high enough to give you that barrel-proof intensity without feeling like you're drinking straight jet fuel.
It's a non-chill filtered bourbon, and it carries an age statement of 6 to 8 years. Heaven Hill uses their standard wheated mashbill here: 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. That 20% wheat is what gives it that softer, rounder character compared to something like Elijah Craig, which uses rye as the secondary grain. But don't let the word "soft" fool you. At nearly 125 proof, this thing still has plenty of teeth.
The First Pour: Appearance and Nose
When you pour the A125 into a Glencairn, the first thing you notice is the color. It's a deep, rich copper, almost leaning into mahogany. It looks oily in the glass, with slow-moving legs that suggest a pretty thick mouthfeel.
On the nose, it doesn't hide the proof, but it isn't aggressive either. I get a lot of that classic Heaven Hill "funk"—it's a mix of nutty sweetness and toasted oak. There's a heavy dose of brown sugar and maple syrup right up front. As it sits for a minute or two, some darker fruit notes start to pop up. Think of black cherries or maybe even a bit of plum. There's a nice cinnamon spice underneath it all that reminds me of a fresh snickerdoodle cookie. It's a very "warm" smelling bourbon, if that makes sense. It feels like something you'd want to drink while sitting by a fire in the middle of winter.
Tasting the Larceny Barrel Proof A125
The first sip of the A125 is where the fun really starts. Man, the mouthfeel is fantastic. It's thick and coating, which is one of my favorite things about the Larceny Barrel Proof series. The initial hit is pure caramel and vanilla bean. It's very sweet on the front of the tongue, which is that wheat talking.
But then, the mid-palate hits, and that 124.8 proof makes its presence known. You get a big surge of black pepper and baking spices—lots of clove and more of 그 cinnamon I smelled earlier. What's interesting about this batch is the oak presence. For a bourbon that's only 6 to 8 years old, it tastes remarkably mature. There's a dry, charred oak flavor that balances out the sweetness.
About halfway through the glass, I started picking up a bit of cocoa powder and some leather notes. It's complex enough that you aren't just getting hit with "sweet and hot." There's a lot to chew on here. It doesn't have the heavy peanut flavor that some other Heaven Hill products have, which I actually appreciate. It stays more in the realm of dark sweets and wood spice.
The Finish: How Long Does It Last?
The finish on the A125 is long and lingering. It leaves a nice "Kentucky hug" in your chest, but it doesn't burn the back of your throat. It dries out a little bit toward the end, with the oak and the spice taking center stage. You're left with a faint taste of tobacco leaf and some lingering caramel sweetness.
One thing I noticed is that the finish is very consistent. Sometimes barrel proof bourbons can get a bit "sharp" at the very end, but this stays relatively rounded. It invites you to take another sip almost immediately, which is always a dangerous sign of a good bottle.
Adding a Drop of Water
I usually like to try these high-proof pours neat first, but for the sake of this larceny barrel proof a125 review, I added a few drops of water to see how it changed things.
The water definitely opens up the fruitiness. The cherry notes become much more prominent, and some of the drying oak fades into the background. It makes it a lot "easier" to drink, but you do lose a bit of that incredible oily texture. If you find the 124.8 proof a bit too spicy, a splash of water really rounds it out and makes it a dessert-heavy pour. Personally, I prefer it neat, but it's versatile enough to handle a little dilution without falling apart.
How It Compares to Previous Batches
It's hard not to compare A125 to the legendary batches from the last couple of years, like C923 or even B524. Honestly, I think A125 holds its own. It might not have the absolute depth of the C923 (which many considered a "once in a decade" bottle), but it's significantly more approachable and balanced than some of the hotter "B" batches I've had in the past.
A125 feels like a return to form for the "A" releases. It's solid, dependable, and exactly what a wheated barrel-proof bourbon should be. It isn't trying to be overly experimental; it's just high-quality juice that showcases the best parts of the Heaven Hill wheated mashbill.
Value and Availability
One of the best things about Larceny Barrel Proof is the price point. In most markets, you can find this for anywhere between $60 and $75. In a world where people are paying $200 for mediocre bottles just because they have a certain name on the label, this is a steal.
Availability can be a bit of a mixed bag depending on where you live, but it's generally much easier to find than its cousin, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. If you see A125 on the shelf at MSRP, it's a no-brainer. It's a workhorse bottle that fits perfectly on any bar cart.
Final Verdict
Wrapping up this larceny barrel proof a125 review, I have to say I'm impressed. It's a big, bold, and flavorful bourbon that doesn't sacrifice its wheated soul for the sake of high proof. It's got enough complexity to keep a seasoned drinker interested, but it's sweet and rich enough that someone just getting into barrel-proof spirits won't be completely overwhelmed.
If you like notes of caramel, dark fruit, and heavy baking spices with a thick, syrupy mouthfeel, you're going to love this. It's a great way to kick off 2025, and it sets a high bar for whatever Heaven Hill decides to release later this year. Whether you drink it neat or with a big ice cube, the A125 is a winner in my book.
If you've been on the fence about whether to grab this batch or wait for the next one, I'd say go ahead and pull the trigger. It's a classic representation of what makes the Larceny line so popular. Cheers!