There is something sacred about the Friday Night Pour.
The work week finally fades into the background, the emails stop buzzing, and the world slows down just enough to appreciate the ritual. For many of us, the Friday Night Pour is not just about drinking bourbon. It’s about reclaiming your time, settling into a favorite chair, and enjoying a moment of earned peace.
For Friday Night Pour Vol. 2, we’re raising the bar. This week’s bottle isn’t just another bourbon sitting quietly on a shelf. It’s a bold, unapologetic dram that demands attention the moment it hits the glass.
Tonight’s selection is Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A125, a high-proof wheated bourbon that brings heat, heritage, and a surprisingly smooth finish to the table.
Let’s break down why this bottle earns the title of The Amber Standard for our second Friday Night Pour.
The Selection: Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A125
When choosing the next bottle in the Friday Night Pour series, we look for something that balances power and character. Larceny Barrel Proof delivers exactly that.
Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, this bourbon continues a lineage that traces back to the famous Old Fitzgerald wheated bourbon recipe.
Unlike standard shelf bottles, Larceny Barrel Proof is bottled straight from the barrel without dilution or chill filtration. That means what you’re drinking is essentially bourbon in its purest form.
Key Stats for Larceny Barrel Proof A125
- Distillery: Heaven Hill
- Release: January 2025
- Proof: 125 (62.5% ABV)
- Mash Bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
- Age: Estimated 6–8 years
- MSRP: Around $65
The high wheat content is what defines this bourbon’s personality.
While many bourbons rely on rye for spice, wheated bourbons trade sharp spice for a softer, sweeter profile. That wheat creates the signature caramel-forward flavor that makes Larceny so approachable despite its intimidating proof.
In other words, this bottle hits hard—but it does it with style.
Tasting Notes: What to Expect from Larceny Barrel Proof
Before we talk cigars and porch chairs, let’s talk flavor.
A proper Friday Night Pour deserves to be savored slowly, and Larceny Barrel Proof rewards patience.
Nose
Right away you’ll pick up warm aromas of:
- Brown sugar
- Toasted oak
- Cinnamon spice
- Vanilla cream
- Caramelized nuts
Some reviewers even note hints of apple, clove, and roasted walnuts layered beneath the sweetness.
This is the moment when the ritual begins—holding the glass, letting the aroma settle, and knowing the weekend has officially arrived.
Palate
The first sip brings a wave of bold flavor:
- Molasses
- Buttered cornbread
- Dark caramel
- Baking spice
- Cherry cola sweetness
Despite the 125 proof, the wheat in the mash bill keeps the sip surprisingly balanced.
This is why barrel proof wheated bourbons have developed such a strong following among bourbon enthusiasts.
Finish
The finish is long and warming, carrying:
- Cinnamon heat
- Oak char
- Honeyed wheat bread
- Lingering brown sugar
This is the type of bourbon that sticks with you long after the glass is empty.
And for a Friday night ritual, that’s exactly what you want.
Why Wheated Bourbon Works for a Friday Night Pour
Bourbon drinkers often fall into two camps:
- Rye lovers who chase spice and pepper
- Wheated bourbon fans who prefer sweetness and balance
Larceny sits squarely in the second camp.
Because wheat replaces rye in the mash bill, the whiskey tends to develop softer flavors like:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Honey
- Pastry-like sweetness
That makes wheated bourbon ideal for slow sipping.
It’s powerful enough to command attention, but smooth enough to enjoy over a long evening.
If you’re building a serious whiskey shelf, wheated bourbons like Larceny belong right alongside classics like:
For many bourbon lovers, this style represents the sweet spot between power and drinkability.
The Perfect Cigar Pairing for Larceny Barrel Proof
A proper Friday Night Pour deserves the right cigar.
For Volume 2, we’re pairing this bourbon with the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro.
This is not a light stick.
And that’s exactly the point.
Why This Pairing Works
Larceny Barrel Proof brings heavy flavors like caramel, vanilla, and oak.
The Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro answers with:
- Dark chocolate
- Espresso
- Cocoa powder
- Earthy tobacco richness
The Mexican San Andrés wrapper on this cigar adds a deep cocoa finish that pairs beautifully with the bourbon’s sweetness.
Take a sip.
Take a draw.
Repeat.
This pairing creates a rhythm where neither the cigar nor the bourbon overwhelms the other.
Instead, they elevate the experience together.
The Ritual of the Friday Night Pour
The entire purpose of this series is simple.
Slow down.
Modern life moves fast. Notifications, news cycles, and social media never stop competing for attention.
The Friday Night Pour is about pushing pause.
Maybe that means:
- Sitting on the back porch
- Lighting a cigar after dinner
- Pouring a glass while the grill cools down
- Or just leaning back in your favorite chair
The point is intentionality.
Great bourbon isn’t meant to be rushed.
It’s meant to be enjoyed.
And that’s what makes the ritual worth repeating every week.
How to Enjoy Larceny Barrel Proof
Because this bourbon is bottled at 125 proof, how you drink it can make a big difference.
Here are three approaches that work well.
1. Neat (Recommended First)
Always start neat.
You want to understand the bourbon before adjusting it.
A proper Glencairn glass will help concentrate the aroma.
2. A Few Drops of Water
Adding a small amount of water can open up hidden flavors like caramel and vanilla while softening the alcohol heat.
3. Large Ice Sphere
If the proof feels too aggressive, a large ice sphere melts slowly and keeps the flavors intact.
However you drink it, remember:
This bourbon rewards patience.
Building Your Friday Night Bourbon Shelf
If you want to start your own Friday Night Pour ritual, here’s a simple five-bottle shelf to build:
- Larceny Barrel Proof – bold wheated bourbon
- Eagle Rare – classic smooth Kentucky bourbon
- Old Forester 1920 – rich Prohibition-style whiskey
- Buffalo Trace – everyday dependable pour
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed – powerhouse barrel proof
Together, these bottles give you a wide spectrum of flavor profiles.
And they guarantee that every Friday night feels a little different.
The Final Verdict on Larceny Barrel Proof A125
There are plenty of bourbons on the market.
But not many deliver the combination of value, proof, and flavor that Larceny Barrel Proof offers.
For around $65, you get:
- Barrel strength whiskey
- A respected distillery pedigree
- A flavor profile that balances sweetness and spice
That’s why this bottle earns its place in Friday Night Pour Vol. 2.
It’s bold.
It’s balanced.
And it’s exactly the kind of whiskey that reminds you why bourbon culture exists in the first place.
Cheers to the Weekend
So tonight, pour something worthy of the moment.
Maybe it’s Larceny Barrel Proof.
Maybe it’s another favorite from your shelf.
Either way, remember the rule of the Friday Night Pour:
The week may belong to everyone else.
But Friday night belongs to you.
Cheers.
Eric Webber is the founder of Bathrobe Patriot, a lifestyle brand centered on bourbon, cigars, and common sense. As an ISSA-certified trainer and former restaurant owner with 20 years of experience, he values quality over quantity and backbone over political correctness. Currently, Eric lives in Safety Harbor, Florida, where he advocates for a life of balance, discipline, and the occasional slow pour. Consequently, his mission is to provide you with the unfiltered truth about the gear, spirits, and culture that define the American spirit.