Table Of Contents

The Details

Rating 92
Style
American Whiskey
Whiskey
Produced In Kentucky
United States
ABV 58.7%
Availability Limited
Price $64.99 
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2025-07-22

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Review

Heaven Hill’s Larceny line of bourbon was once seen as an underrated gem at the intersection of flavor and value. To be clear, it’s not as if that proposition has changed. Rather, its two expressions — especially the Barrel Proof offering — are more appreciated than ever, graduating from under-the-radar pours to highly regarded bottles.

The Barrel Proof iteration is released twice per year, generally in January and May. Today, we’re looking at the May version, indicated by a batch code of B525. (“B” stands for the year’s second release, “5” indicates May, and “25” corresponds to the current year.) Like all Larceny releases, it’s made from Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon mash bill of 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley. That’s the same recipe as the modern day Old Fitzgerald line.

This latest batch is on the lower side as far as proof is concerned, clocking in at 117.4. (This year’s “A” batch was a more robust 125 proof on the dot.) Like all releases in the lineup, the bottling is non-age stated, but the whiskey therein is generally believed to be between six and eight years old.

Let’s see how it tastes!

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 is a lower-ABV return to form for a high-value bourbon.

Proof Batch B525: Stats and Availability

Larceny Barrel Proof maintains its MSRP of $65 for 2025. It’s a fairly common release with good nationwide distribution, and anecdotally, I often see the bottles for right at or around $10 above suggested retail.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Almost immediately, there’s a lot to love on the nose: A quick hit of medicinal cherry transitions to cinnamon and sugar-crusted sourdough toast, along with melted butterscotch and hot praline. Aromas become increasingly nutty with time in the glass, with roasted almonds, cashews, and pecans wafting up. Eventually, those sweet and nutty smells coalesce into the crust of a fresh-baked pecan pie, sweet and caramelized with a nearly burnt undertone.

Even further on comes cinnamon-spiced apple strudel, adding a welcome component of fruit to an inviting nose. A bit of oak and light smoke form a late backbone, though they’re far from nearing overly tannic or astringent. The scents on Batch B525 aren’t overly complex, but what this bourbon does it does well, and there’s plenty to enjoy even before taking a sip.

At least here, the relatively lower proof on this release has done a service to the whiskey. Compared to its predecessor, this bottling boasts significantly more composure for a superior sniff. I’m particularly happy to get a little more balanced fruit on this one.

Taste

Warm, inviting, and big on graham cracker crust, the first sip leans into the sweet without sacrificing much in return; there’s still enough leather and oak to remind one of the whiskey’s 6- to 8-year age range. More pecan pie joins up with ginger, dates, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch for an early palate that exemplifies Larceny near its recent best.

Spiced, roasted nuts build toward the midpalate, a dominant flavor from A125 that is showcased better here due to a comparative lack of ethanol heat. Honey-soaked cornbread forms a mildly grainy element a little further back, but that specific note doesn’t draw the bourbon into youthful territory. Instead, it plays nicely with a little fruit (baked/heavily cooked apple and apricot) and could overall keep things on the balance beam between bright and astringent. Dried ginger and cinnamon continue throughout. The mouthfeel is on the lighter side, though not so thin as to do a significant disservice to any one flavor.

Finish

There’s an interesting pop of both clove and mint on the finish, as if the whiskey had a small trick hiding up its sleeve. I also taste some residual cherry and cinnamon-dusted apple pie. Dilution does less here than with some other recent Larceny batches, perhaps bringing out more oak but generally not enhancing much on this lower-proof release.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Rating

92/100

Recap

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 takes a step up compared to its immediate predecessor, giving bourbon fans exactly what they’ve come to love (and generally expect) from the offering. Classic flavors hit the strike zone close to dead-center, with a small twist at the very end to keep things interesting. Flavors are punchy but not overpowering, allowing drinkers to savor and enjoy multiple components at once.

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92
POINTS
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525
Heaven Hill’s Larceny line of bourbon was once seen as an underrated gem at the intersection of flavor and value. To be clear, it’s not as if that proposition has changed. Rather, its two expressions — especially the Barrel Proof offering — are more appreciated than ever, graduating from under-the-radar pours to highly regarded bottles. The Barrel Proof iteration is released twice per year, generally in January and May. Today, we’re looking at the May version, indicated by a batch code of B525. (“B” stands for the year’s second release, “5” indicates May, and “25” corresponds to the current year.) Like all Larceny releases, it’s made from Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon mash bill of 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley. That’s the same recipe as the modern day Old Fitzgerald line. This latest batch is on the lower side as far as proof is concerned, clocking in at 117.4. (This year’s “A” batch was a more robust 125 proof on the dot.) Like all releases in the lineup, the bottling is non-age stated, but the whiskey therein is generally believed to be between six and eight years old. Let’s see how it tastes! Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 is a lower-ABV return to form for a high-value bourbon.

Proof Batch B525: Stats and Availability

Larceny Barrel Proof maintains its MSRP of $65 for 2025. It’s a fairly common release with good nationwide distribution, and anecdotally, I often see the bottles for right at or around $10 above suggested retail.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Almost immediately, there’s a lot to love on the nose: A quick hit of medicinal cherry transitions to cinnamon and sugar-crusted sourdough toast, along with melted butterscotch and hot praline. Aromas become increasingly nutty with time in the glass, with roasted almonds, cashews, and pecans wafting up. Eventually, those sweet and nutty smells coalesce into the crust of a fresh-baked pecan pie, sweet and caramelized with a nearly burnt undertone. Even further on comes cinnamon-spiced apple strudel, adding a welcome component of fruit to an inviting nose. A bit of oak and light smoke form a late backbone, though they’re far from nearing overly tannic or astringent. The scents on Batch B525 aren’t overly complex, but what this bourbon does it does well, and there’s plenty to enjoy even before taking a sip. At least here, the relatively lower proof on this release has done a service to the whiskey. Compared to its predecessor, this bottling boasts significantly more composure for a superior sniff. I’m particularly happy to get a little more balanced fruit on this one.

Taste

Warm, inviting, and big on graham cracker crust, the first sip leans into the sweet without sacrificing much in return; there’s still enough leather and oak to remind one of the whiskey’s 6- to 8-year age range. More pecan pie joins up with ginger, dates, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch for an early palate that exemplifies Larceny near its recent best. Spiced, roasted nuts build toward the midpalate, a dominant flavor from A125 that is showcased better here due to a comparative lack of ethanol heat. Honey-soaked cornbread forms a mildly grainy element a little further back, but that specific note doesn’t draw the bourbon into youthful territory. Instead, it plays nicely with a little fruit (baked/heavily cooked apple and apricot) and could overall keep things on the balance beam between bright and astringent. Dried ginger and cinnamon continue throughout. The mouthfeel is on the lighter side, though not so thin as to do a significant disservice to any one flavor.

Finish

There’s an interesting pop of both clove and mint on the finish, as if the whiskey had a small trick hiding up its sleeve. I also taste some residual cherry and cinnamon-dusted apple pie. Dilution does less here than with some other recent Larceny batches, perhaps bringing out more oak but generally not enhancing much on this lower-proof release.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Rating

92/100

Recap

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 takes a step up compared to its immediate predecessor, giving bourbon fans exactly what they’ve come to love (and generally expect) from the offering. Classic flavors hit the strike zone close to dead-center, with a small twist at the very end to keep things interesting. Flavors are punchy but not overpowering, allowing drinkers to savor and enjoy multiple components at once.

Reviewed On: 07-22-2025
92
POINTS
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525
Heaven Hill’s Larceny line of bourbon was once seen as an underrated gem at the intersection of flavor and value. To be clear, it’s not as if that proposition has changed. Rather, its two expressions — especially the Barrel Proof offering — are more appreciated than ever, graduating from under-the-radar pours to highly regarded bottles. The Barrel Proof iteration is released twice per year, generally in January and May. Today, we’re looking at the May version, indicated by a batch code of B525. (“B” stands for the year’s second release, “5” indicates May, and “25” corresponds to the current year.) Like all Larceny releases, it’s made from Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon mash bill of 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley. That’s the same recipe as the modern day Old Fitzgerald line. This latest batch is on the lower side as far as proof is concerned, clocking in at 117.4. (This year’s “A” batch was a more robust 125 proof on the dot.) Like all releases in the lineup, the bottling is non-age stated, but the whiskey therein is generally believed to be between six and eight years old. Let’s see how it tastes! Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 is a lower-ABV return to form for a high-value bourbon.

Proof Batch B525: Stats and Availability

Larceny Barrel Proof maintains its MSRP of $65 for 2025. It’s a fairly common release with good nationwide distribution, and anecdotally, I often see the bottles for right at or around $10 above suggested retail.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Almost immediately, there’s a lot to love on the nose: A quick hit of medicinal cherry transitions to cinnamon and sugar-crusted sourdough toast, along with melted butterscotch and hot praline. Aromas become increasingly nutty with time in the glass, with roasted almonds, cashews, and pecans wafting up. Eventually, those sweet and nutty smells coalesce into the crust of a fresh-baked pecan pie, sweet and caramelized with a nearly burnt undertone. Even further on comes cinnamon-spiced apple strudel, adding a welcome component of fruit to an inviting nose. A bit of oak and light smoke form a late backbone, though they’re far from nearing overly tannic or astringent. The scents on Batch B525 aren’t overly complex, but what this bourbon does it does well, and there’s plenty to enjoy even before taking a sip. At least here, the relatively lower proof on this release has done a service to the whiskey. Compared to its predecessor, this bottling boasts significantly more composure for a superior sniff. I’m particularly happy to get a little more balanced fruit on this one.

Taste

Warm, inviting, and big on graham cracker crust, the first sip leans into the sweet without sacrificing much in return; there’s still enough leather and oak to remind one of the whiskey’s 6- to 8-year age range. More pecan pie joins up with ginger, dates, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch for an early palate that exemplifies Larceny near its recent best. Spiced, roasted nuts build toward the midpalate, a dominant flavor from A125 that is showcased better here due to a comparative lack of ethanol heat. Honey-soaked cornbread forms a mildly grainy element a little further back, but that specific note doesn’t draw the bourbon into youthful territory. Instead, it plays nicely with a little fruit (baked/heavily cooked apple and apricot) and could overall keep things on the balance beam between bright and astringent. Dried ginger and cinnamon continue throughout. The mouthfeel is on the lighter side, though not so thin as to do a significant disservice to any one flavor.

Finish

There’s an interesting pop of both clove and mint on the finish, as if the whiskey had a small trick hiding up its sleeve. I also taste some residual cherry and cinnamon-dusted apple pie. Dilution does less here than with some other recent Larceny batches, perhaps bringing out more oak but generally not enhancing much on this lower-proof release.

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 Rating

92/100

Recap

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B525 takes a step up compared to its immediate predecessor, giving bourbon fans exactly what they’ve come to love (and generally expect) from the offering. Classic flavors hit the strike zone close to dead-center, with a small twist at the very end to keep things interesting. Flavors are punchy but not overpowering, allowing drinkers to savor and enjoy multiple components at once.

Reviewed On: 07-22-2025