Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Named 2020 Whisky of the Year by Whisky Advocate

Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey also awarded #7 for 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2020

BARDSTOWN, KY – Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon was named Whisky Advocate’s 2020 Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey was also named #7 in the 2020 lineup. Both products join previous, recent Heaven Hill Distillery winners — Elijah Craig Barrel Proof was named the 2017 Whisky of the Year and Heaven Hill 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond was named #4 in 2019 on Whiskey Advocate’s renowned and highly anticipated top 20 yearly listing.

As noted in the Whisky Advocate Fall 2020 Buying Guide, “Larceny’s barrel proof expression…is a treat worth waiting for.” Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 are chosen each year from a collection of the highest-rated whiskeys nominated by the Buying Guide reviewers, and ranked based on quality, value, and availability. Heaven Hill Distillery has received top ten recognition for four whiskeys across three different mashbills since 2017, showcasing the consistency across a diverse portfolio of products. Read about and watch the full reveal on Whisky Advocate’s website for Larceny Barrel Proof here and Elijah Craig Rye here.

“For 85 years the Heaven Hill Distillery team’s commitment to quality and perseverance has set the course for our historic brands to thrive,” said Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “Rooted in a storied brand, Larceny’s relatively new appearance to the category has inspired our innovation process. For two of our mashbills to receive the highest Whisky Advocate recognition in their purest, barrel proof forms is a testament to Heaven Hill’s distilling legacy.”

Larceny Barrel Proof launched in January 2020 as the first line extension for the brand, offering whiskey fans an opportunity to taste Larceny as Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller does, straight out of the barrel. Descendant of the wheated Bourbons that make up the historic Old Fitzgerald franchise acquired by Heaven Hill Distillery in 1999, the non-chill filtered bottlings are released three times per year. While the top award for Larceny Barrel Proof was for the B520 release, Whisky Advocate Executive Editor David Fleming notes “you’d be wise to give any of them a try.”

Continuing the tradition of Old Fitzgerald using wheat in place of rye as the secondary grain in the mashbill, Larceny uses more wheat than any of its competitors for a softer, rounder character. The brand is inspired by the history of John E. Fitzgerald, who as a treasury agent in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s was one of the only people legally allowed to carry the keys to the barrel storage rickhouses. With a discerning palate for fine Bourbon, John E. Fitzgerald often used his rickhouse keys to gain access to some of the finest Bourbon barrels for himself. Those barrels from which he chose to help himself were often referred to as “Fitzgerald barrels” around the distillery. Larceny Barrel Proof is released three times per year in limited quantities nationwide for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

While Larceny Barrel Proof is released in limited quantities, it’s mainline brand Larceny Small Batch is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $24.99. First launched in 2012, Larceny Small Batch is one of the most successful new-to-the-world Bourbons in the past decade.  At 92 proof, Larceny Small Batch has also enjoyed both critical and consumer acclaim, receiving Gold from the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a 93 rating and Tried and True Award from the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and a Consumers’ Choice ranking from the 2020 SIP Awards.  Learn more about Larceny at larcenybourbon.com.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.8 million barrels aging in 62 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year and previously held the titles of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Distillery
(502) 413-0217
[email protected]