Larceny Barrel Proof, our Whisky of the Year, delivers on wheated bourbons appeal and then some. Big and powerful, it enters the ring at 61.1% ABV, but its no lumbering heavyweight. It floats across the palate with stunning grace and subtlety, its wheated mashbill a delicate counterpoint to its formidable proof.

It begins with a flurry of sweet bakery aromas: honey bun, angel food cake, and apple pie la mode. The palate dazzles with notes of crme brle, chocolate, drizzled caramel, honey-roasted peanuts, and lashings of baking spice, followed by a lengthy finish loaded with cinnamon, more chocolate, and robust spice.

Water helps unleash layers of these flavors, but Larceny Barrel Proof is amazingly enjoyable even at full proofno easy thing for a whiskey this big.