Larceny 2: Barrel Proof Showdown – A124 vs. C920 vs. C924! What’s With These Codes?!

Jun 13

Welcome back to the digital rickhouse, where chaos is encouraged, high proof is celebrated, and our favorite bourbons sound like malfunctioning NASA satellites.

Today on Tortured Bourbon, we decode the mysterious world of Larceny Barrel Proof—specifically, the A124, C920, and C924 batches. If those look like serial numbers, you’re not alone. B thought one of them tried to scan his retina. Heather’s just hoping it doesn’t crash the mainframe.

But behind those confusing codes lies one of Heaven Hill’s most beloved wheated expressions. Bold, unfiltered, unapologetic—and yes, a little confusing—Larceny Barrel Proof releases three times a year, and each batch delivers its own unique flavor punch.

🔍 What Is Larceny Barrel Proof?

Larceny Barrel Proof is the full-throttle version of Heaven Hill’s Larceny Small Batch. It shares the same wheated bourbon mash bill:

68% Corn
20% Wheat
12% Malted Barley

…but skips the chill filtering and dilution, letting the bourbon come out of the barrel just the way nature (and whiskey nerds) intended. First released in 2020, these barrel-proof editions drop three times a year—January (A), May (B), and September (C)—with the code revealing the batch number and year.

Decoding the Matrix: A124, C920, and C924

Let’s break down those robotic-sounding labels:

A = January, B = May, C = September
The first digit = the last digit of the year (0 = 2020, 4 = 2024)
The last two digits = full year

So:

A124 = January 2024
C920 = September 2020
C924 = September 2024

It’s not just alphabet soup—each batch has its own personality.

🏛️ Who Makes It?

All three bottles come from Heaven Hill, distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, KY, and aged at their massive campus in Bardstown. The age range is usually 6–8 years, but it’s the proof and barrel blend that create the drama.

🧃 What to Expect (Before Tasting)

We always taste live, but here’s what the internet says you should get from each bottle:

🥃 A124 (January 2024)

Proof: 124.2
Nose: Maple syrup, toasted marshmallow, cinnamon rolls
Palate: Vanilla bean, roasted nuts, honey, rich caramel
Finish: Warm, lingering brown sugar and soft oak

“Dessert in a glass. Don’t fear the proof.”

🥃 C920 (September 2020)

Proof: 122.4
Nose: Deep oak, leather, molasses, black cherry
Palate: Cocoa, spice, tobacco, burnt sugar
Finish: Long, dry oak and heat

“Cult classic. Legendary among Larceny lovers.”

🥃 C924 (September 2024)

Proof: 126.8
Nose: Dark fruit, barrel char, brown butter
Palate: Cherry cola, smoky caramel, honeyed pecan
Finish: Bold, punchy, sip-with-respect

“Could be a future favorite—or a one-hit wonder.”

🥄 Let’s Taste

In the episode, we blind taste all three and score them using our Tortured Bourbon scale:

Piddlin
Bless Your Heart
That Dog Will Hunt
Hush Your Mouth
Cock of the Walk

Do any of these bottles make the top tier? Will C920 hold onto its crown? Is C924 a worthy follow-up or just a shiny pretender? You’ll have to watch and find out.

📺 Watch the Episode

If you’ve ever wondered what batch codes really mean—or just want to know if that 126-proof beast in your cabinet is worth cracking—this one’s for you. Heather and B bring the banter, the bourbon, and the breakdown.

So grab your own bottle (or three), pour a glass, and join us as we ask the real questions: