Larceny Bourbon vs Makers Mark: Choose Wisely. Start Here!

If you are a bourbon drinker, you have your preference: neat, on the rocks, or as a mixed beverage. The world of bourbon is quickly gaining new followers each year. If you are new to the world of whiskey it is easy to feel intimidated, but don’t worry we have everything that you need to know right here.

While there are those out there who prefer their whiskey or scotch, bourbon drinkers will tell you time and time again that our bourbon is better.

Perhaps the reason that we love bourbon so much is the simple fact that there is an edge or mystery behind each bottle. It can take a while to find your own favorite bourbon, but once you do it is something that you will not forget.

While Kentucky seems to be more widely known for their delicious V B fried chicken, the real hero to come from the state is their delicious liquid gold. In the last few years, more people seem to be falling in love with bourbon.

Millennials are known around the globe for loving their bourbon. In fact, some of the most popular cocktails today are those that feature bourbon. It is not whiskey or scotch rising in popularity, it is bourbon.

The Kentucky Distillers Association has been sharing this news as they get to reap the benefits of increased sales.

As you begin your journey with bourbon, you might find that terminology is hard to comprehend. Once you have finished reading this article, you will understand the terminology. You will even be able to explain the very differences that set bourbon apart from the rest.

The Main Differences Between Larceny Bourbon vs Maker’s Mark

The main differences between Larceny Bourbon vs Maker’s Mark are:

• Larceny’s distiller is Heaven Hill, whereas Maker’s Mark is Beam Suntory.
• Larceny is 45% alcohol by volume, whereas Maker’s Mark has 45%.
• Larceny bourbon tastes like deep caramel with hints of red, whereas Maker’s Mark has a taste of deep amber towards orange.
• Larceny’s finish is based on malted milk balls with sugar daddy and oak, whereas Maker’s Mark has a dry finish of oak and a hint of corn.

Make Way For Bourbon

One of the first questions that we want to answer for you is: “What is going to set apart bourbon and scotch?”. Both bourbon and scotch are a type of whiskey. Scotch is European and produced in Scotland, while bourbon is American and produced in the United States. 

How the bourbon is produced is up to the distiller, but there are still some guidelines that must be followed. The main one is that the mash bill must feature at least 51% corn. Scotch is made up of a mash bill that is half corn and aged in a charred barrel.

In the United States, the market is tipped towards the product that is produced at home. It seems that everyone appreciates the sweeter flavors and scent of a bouquet of flowers. 

Each year palates are changing and starting to notice different hints and features in the bourbons, thus making competition tough. The bourbon positions do not falter and every person knows just which bourbons they prefer. 

Two premium bourbons that are always competing are Larceny Bourbon and Maker’s Mark.

If you have not fully explored the world of bourbon, your first descriptions are going to be about the smoothness of the liquor. Avoid this temptation and try to explore the palate on a deeper level when you are sipping a good bourbon. 

However, before we can discuss the flavors of bourbon, we should probably explore how bourbon is produced.

The History Of Bourbon

During the late 18th century, Scottish immigrants settled in Kentucky. At some point, there were those who were distilling with the crops and grains that were available in the United States.

Today 95% of the world’s bourbon is actually from Kentucky. While thought to have originated in the Bourbon County area, there was actually no bourbon produced from the time of prohibition in 1919 until a small distillery opened in 2014. 

Many bourbon purists believe that bourbon has to come from the state of Kentucky and that all other bourbons are really just whiskeys.

How is Bourbon Made – Barrel to Bottle Fundamentals

If you want to produce a delicious bottle of bourbon, you will need to get the right grain, yeast strains, and new white oak barrels to ensure that the details are met.

There are twelve steps that you have to follow to get a great bottle of bourbon.

Step 1 — Know Your Grain Selection

Step 2 — Create a Great Mash Bill

Step 3 — Filter Your Water

Step 4 — Process Grains in the Grain Cooker

Step 5 — Process of Yeast Management

Step 6 — Fermentation Process

Step 7 — Distillation Process

Step 8 — Process of Producing Sour Mash

Step 9 — Discarded Mash Becomes Animal Feed

Step 10 — Fill the Barrels with the Liquids

Step 11 — Barrels into Storage to Age

Step 12 — Liquid from the Barrels into the Bottles

There are a few things that you should have knowledge of. One of these is that each distillery is going to have its own blend for the mash. Bourbon must be made from a mash bill that contains at least 51% corn.

There can be more corn, but not less for a whiskey to be considered a bourbon. The other grains that make up the mash bill include rye, wheat, and barley.

A whiskey that is remarkably smooth and sweet is almost always going to include wheat. The grin temperature will influence the flavor as well.

While it might not be the first thing that you think, water is something that is going to completely influence the flavor of the bourbon. When you think about the landscape of Tennessee and Kentucky, you should note that the ground has layers of limestone.

This works as a filter to remove iron salts from the water. For this very reason, a large majority of the bourbon produced in the United States does so here.

As the grain heats and mixes, a process called germination starts converting starches to sugars. The malting process then converts this to cellulose.

The mash is then allowed to cool until it reaches temperatures between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) and then is mixed with yeast.

One of the things that is highly protected in each distillery is their yeast strain. Some of these distilleries have patented theirs to keep anyone else from using them.

One common whiskey production habit is that the wort (separated sugary liquid) is sent into the tanks. However, with the bourbon process, this is not the same.

When producing American whiskey and/or bourbon, the mash all goes into the tanks during the distilling process. In fact, not just this mash but part of the mash from the previous batch will also be added to the mixture.

This might sound like it would be moldy or gross, but do not fear, there are enough regulations in place that this is never going to happen.

During the first three or four days, the yeast helps to convert the sugar into CO2 and alcohol.

This creates quite a bit of heat. The result is a fermented slurry. This is what is commonly known as beer. From here beer will go through a distilling process to become raw whiskey. Raw whiskey is often called unaged whiskey or white dog.

One of the biggest bourbon misconceptions is that all bourbons are aged in white oak barrels. There are no laws that require this, so different producers are able to experiment with different barrel materials.

However, most of the world’s favorite bourbons are still aged in the white oak barrels. There are two different distinctions that determine how long the barrels are aged for. Straight bourbon is required to be aged for at least two years. A bourbon that has 50% ABV (called bottled-in-bond) has to be aged for 4 years or longer.

There are some additional terms that seem to confuse people when they are getting started. We are going to share those terms and their definitions with you.

1. Single Barrel – This is a bottle that contains liquid from a single barrel that has not been blended with others. Water can still be added, so this means that the bourbon is not automatically barrel proof. A good example would be Eagle Rare. It is the perfect type of bourbon to sip in the afternoon.

2. Barrel Proof – When a bottle is poured without any additions. The liquid is poured and filtered into the bottle without seeing any added water. This produces a more intense and full flavor profile.

3. Cask Strength – Cask strength is like barrel proof in that it is something that is more intense and full-bodied in flavor. These are also bourbons that are not mixed with water. This helps to maintain a higher proof. Some of the most popular choices of Cask Strength are Maker’s Mark and George T. Stagg.

4. Small Batch – One of the most popular terms to look for on bottles of bourbon is small batch. This is because the distillery has put extra time and effort into creating a signature bottle or a flagship bottle that was produced in a small batch. The resulting bourbon is actually produced by combining the contents of a few different select barrels.

Now that you know and understand these basic terms, you are ready to start your adventures with bourbon.

Decoding The Bourbon By Flavor

Have you ever seen someone cough and struggle to enjoy a good bourbon? If you are a true bourbon drinker, you can probably remember the first time that you sipped bourbon and had a similar response.

It takes time to build up your palate as you embark on the journey to identify the right bourbon for yourself. Here are some flavor notes that you should understand.

1. Sweet Bourbons — Sweet bourbons feature a sweet lead with flavors of custard, vanilla, caramel, marzipan, honey, chocolate, maple, and/or butterscotch. These include bourbons like Maker’s Mark.

2. Hot and Spicy Bourbons — Hot and spicy bourbons feature a spicy pepper forward note. While there are a few things that you might think of when you hear the word spicy, it is important to note that the bourbon’s spicy notes come from the alcohol and not the addition of peppers or baking spices. Bourbons like Old Weller Antique feature these spicy notes.

3. Floral Bourbon –– There is a distinctly floral scent when some of the bourbons go through the fermentation process. This is when the yeast combines with the CO2 and ethanol. This can feature herbal notes, honeysuckle, and rose petals. Bourbons like Four Roses Small Batch feature these flavors.

4. Wood Forward Bourbon — A wood forward bourbon pulls the flavors from the barrel itself. These are the bourbons that typically are aged for more than four years which offers them the chance to have maximum flavor. The flavors that you catch include cedar, almond, pecan, walnut, and/or oak. These are the bourbons that are generally more expensive and are not typically appreciated by a casual or beginner bourbon drinker. Bourbons like Jim Beam Black fall in this category.

Understanding the flavors that are associated with different types of bourbons will help you to be able to enjoy your future bourbon drinking.

The Three Types Of Bourbon

1) Traditional Bourbon

Mashbill  – 70% corn, the remainder is rye and barley in equal parts

Flavor – sweet and spice

Popular ones – Jim Beam, Evan William, Wild Turkey, Old Crow, and Knob Creek

2) Rye Bourbon

Mashbill  – less corn, almost no barley, and two times the typical amount of rye

Flavor – spicy tones and a drier taste with a bite

Popular ones – Bulleit, Four Roses, George T. Stagg, Basil Hayden’s, Woodford Reserve

3) Wheat Bourbon

Mashbill – 51% corn, 49% wheat

Flavor – sweet and caramel

Popular ones – Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald

Most agree that William LaRue Weller was the first to introduce and popularize Wheated Bourbon. Now that you know what makes a Wheated Bourbon so special, let’s take a look at these two brands that are ringing the booze market hard.

What You Should Know About Larceny Bourbon

One of the highest-rated and most sought after bourbons are those produced by Heaven Hills Distilleries.

They are the distiller behind some of the most favorite brands including Larceny, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Parker’s Heritage Collection. The company has been in business since 1934.

Larceny is a top-shelf bourbon that is actually an extension of the Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald line. There is a unique story behind the line that engaged connoisseurs around the globe.

It is considered to be “a taste made from by an infamous act.” The story goes that Mr. Fitzgerald chose to steal the casks that contained the best bourbon and then he would indulge himself. He was a treasury agent and was able to get away with this act of larceny.

This is why there is a symbolic key on the label and the word larceny is written in bold letters.

Larceny holds a few secrets with its mash bill as Heaven Hill has not released exactly how it is made. It is a bourbon that is made in the classic style and is wheat heavy.

It is aged in charred oak barrels that are new. This offers the flavor profile a richness and sweetness. Traditionally bourbons contain more rye than wheat, but that is not the case with Larceny. It is a bourbon that tastes both savory and sweet. It is bottled at 92 proof and the company has not released how long it has been aged.

How is Larceny Bourbon Made

• Step 1 — Grain Handling & Milling — Larceny uses a secret recipe which includes the selection and grinding of the corn, malted barley, wheat, and rye.

• Step 2 — Mashing — The mash bill is added to Kentucky limestone water and set to the perfect temperature to create a porridge-like mash.

• Step 3 — Sour Mash — To sour mash, distillate from the previous day’s mash is added to the mash cooker and the fermenter where the pH is regulated in order to maintain the continuity of flavor.

• Step 4 — Fermentation — A yeast strain is then added to the mash bill and over a series of several days, the yeast will start to convert the sugar into alcohol. What is produced at this phase is distiller’s beer which is a thick liquid that contains around 6-7% alcohol.

• Step 5 — Distillation — The liquid is then dripped slowly through perforated copper plates at which time it is re-distilled and the alcohol emerges as a concentrated liquid with about 70% alcohol.

• Step 6 — Gauge and Barrel — Next the proof is gauged with more Kentucky limestone water to make sure that it is the right proof for barreling. Then it is transferred to a new charred oak barrel where it is sealed.

• Step 7 — Maturation — The inventoried barrels are held in an open brick house. Larceny has acquired some distinctions through this process including its amber color, butterscotch and honey flavors, and smooth character.

Characteristic Tasting Notes of Larceny Bourbon

Color: Bright new copper

Aroma: Fresh bread and toffee, with a note of butterscotch

Taste: Buttery caramel and honey notes, with a rich mouthfeel

Finish: Long, gently sweet and savory

Price: $20 – $25

Five Ways You Can Enjoy Larceny

There are over 20 Larceny Cocktail recipes issued by Heaven Hill for your pleasure only! Here are some recipes that will sweep you off your feet; quite literally!

1. LARCENY BUCK

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Larceny

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• 3 oz. Gosling’s© Ginger Beer

How to

Build cocktail in the glass. Fill a Collins glass with ice. Next, pour in lemon juice and Larceny and gently stir. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lemon wedge.

2. FORBIDDEN SOUR

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Larceny

• 1 oz. PAMA® Pomegranate Liqueur

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

How to

Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Fill a rocks glass with ice and strain cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

3. PRESSING CHARGES

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Larceny

• 2 oz. Ginger Ale

• 2 oz. Soda Water

• 2 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

How to

In an Old Fashioned glass, combine Larceny, ginger ale and soda water. Float bitters on top.

4. LARCENY AND OLD LACE

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Larceny

• ¾ oz. Sweet Vermouth

• ¼ oz. Creme de Violette

How to

Stir and strain into a cocktail glass.

5. THE COOPER’S COLLIN

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Larceny

• ¾ oz. Dubonnet© Blanc

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 2 Dashes Angostura® Bitters

• 3 – 4 oz. Soda Water

How to

Combine everything except the soda water into a shaker. Shake and pour into a Collins glass ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Slow Clap Moment For Larceny – Awards and Mentions

When ranked in the top 120 spirits in the entire world, Larceny was placed at number 18. It has been decorated with five stars from the Spirit Journal. In addition, it has received the honor of winning the prestigious Double Gold Medal Award in 2014 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Larceny Distillery Experience

If you visit the Bourbon Heritage Centre in Bourbon County, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, you will be presented with an immersive look at the American bourbon experience. The bourbon hosts will guide you through the whiskey-making craft first hand and will share the history and heritage of America’s original whiskeys. While there, you can sign up for additional guided tours, tasting experiences, and even purchase your favorite bottles.

What You Should Know About Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Maker’s Mark was started in 1953 when T. William Samuels Sr. (a sixth-generation distiller who goes by Bill) began working with his wife Margie to distill the perfect bottle of bourbon. The bourbon is still produced today in the exact same way. The distillery is in Loretto, Kentucky and if you visit, you will learn a lot about the heritage of this bourbon.

Maker’s Mark was created when Bill’s wife, Margie, invented a new and unique recipe to bake multiple loaves of bread that featured different grain mixtures or mash bills. This was done so that you could bring the taste to the table instead of having to wait for the distillation process to taste your bourbon. The couple decided that soft winter wheat was the loaf that won the taste test and thus they had the recipe to start distilling Maker’s Mark. They ultimately decided against the use of any rye in their bourbon.

Margie is a woman who should not be forgotten. She was the daughter of a distiller from Kentucky. She went on to earn a chemistry degree from the University of Louisville. After the creation of Maker’s Mark, she was the head of the marketing for the bran. One of the things that makes the bourbon so unique is that each bottle is still hand-dipped. One thing that many people do not know is that the dippers can actually tell which bottles of bourbon they dipped from the drip patterns of the wax as they are all unique.

How is Maker’s Mark Made

Maker’s Mark is located just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. They have used locally-sourced corn from a company called Mattingly for more than sixty years. They get their soft red winter wheat from the Petersons and then create their small-batch bourbon. The process is set apart by each detail being precise. They use the same producer, Beam Suntory, for the charred oak barrels. Then the liquid is distilled in long neck pot-shaped bottles in Loretto, where the red wax seals are dipped in the traditional style of the Maker’s Mark.

The mash bill for Maker’s Mark is 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. The distillery even owns its own water source and watershed. Maker’s Mark also features the Kentucky limestone water that allows for iron salts to be removed from the water naturally. This leaves the water with a higher concentration of magnesium and calcium. If you were to use water that still has iron salts to create bourbon, you would notice a very unpleasant odor. The drinking water that is provided to people around the area where the distillery actually comes from the water reserves that the distillery owns.

Perhaps the most unique thing that Maker’s Mark does with their barrels is that they move them throughout the year. This allows them to have varying temperatures which can affect the oxygen and charred oak in the spirit in different ways. Typically the bourbon is kept at the topmost rickhouse for three years so that it ages during three of the hot summers in Kentucky. From there it is moved to different rickhouses where it is cooler. This allows for the aging to slow a little before the six years of the aging process are completed.

The Maker’s Mark brand has a few different bourbons that it presents to the public. There is the traditional Maker’s Mark bourbon, Cask Strength, Maker’s Mark 46, and Private Select. Each of these has been aged to different stages of the bourbon which creates distinct flavors and notes.

Characteristic Tasting Notes of Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Color: Deep amber leaning towards orange

Aroma: Woody oak, caramel, vanilla, and wheat prevail in the nose

Taste: Sweet and balanced with caramel, vanilla, and fruity essences

Finish: Initially light but sweet spice builds over time; smooth and subtle

Price: $25 – $30 (750 ml)

Five Ways To Enjoy Maker’s Mark

1. MAKER’S® SOUR

Ingredients

• 2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

• 1 part simple syrup

• 1/2 part lemon juice

• Cherry and lemon peel for garnish

How to

• Add Maker’s Mark, lemon juice and simple syrup to an ice-filled shaker.

• Give it a good shake.

• Strain into a rocks glass over ice.

• Garnish with a lemon peel and a cherry.

2. OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon

• Splash of water

• 2 dashes Angostura® Bitters

• 1 tsp. sugar

• Orange peel

• Cherry for garnish

How to

FOR A CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED:

• Dissolve or muddle sugar with a splash of water in an Old Fashioned glass.

• Fill glass 3/4 full of ice.

• Add Maker’s Mark and bitters and stir.

• Garnish with orange peel and cherry.

FOR MUDDLED OLD FASHIONED:

• Muddle sugar, bitters, orange slice, cherry and water in an Old Fashioned glass.

• Remove the orange rind.

• Fill glass 3/4 full of ice.

• Add Maker’s Mark and stir.

Read More: The Best Bourbon Brands for Old Fashioned 

3. MAKER’S MARK® BLONDIES(DESSERT)

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 oz. (1 shot) Maker’s Mark Bourbon

• 1 lb. butter, unsalted

• 4 cups brown sugar

• 4 tsp. vanilla extract

• 3 whole eggs

• 1 egg yolk

• 4 cups flour

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 tsp. salt

MAKER’S® BLACKBERRY TOPPING

• 2 cups ripe blackberries

• 3 oz. (2 shots) Maker’s Mark Bourbon

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

How to

• Add 1 pound of unsalted butter to a heavy bottom pan over medium heat and let cook until it a brown, nutty-smelling butter is left in the pan.

• In a mixer, add Maker’s Mark, brown sugar, brown butter, vanilla, and mix until well combined.

• Add eggs and yolk, one at a time on medium speed until well combined.

• In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt until mixed well. On low-speed combine half of the dry ingredients to wet and then scrape down sides and repeat making sure not to over stir. The batter must be thick.

• Pour batter into a greased 10×10 baking pan and cook at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for 45 minutes. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean, means it’s ready.

FOR BLACKBERRY TOPPING

• Combine blackberries, Maker’s Mark and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

• Reduce heat and simmer until blackberries are thoroughly broken and it begins to resemble a sauce.

• Remove from heat and add vanilla extract, mix well and let cool to room temperature to thicken. The sauce can be strained after cooling to remove any blackberry seeds if you wish.

4. CLASSIC MINT JULEP

Ingredients

• 2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

• 1/2 part simple syrup

• Fresh mint leaves

How to

• Add all mint and syrup to a julep cup.

• Gently muddle mint to express the oils.

• Add crushed ice.

• Pour Maker’s Mark over (preferably crushed) ice.

• Stir and garnish with a mint sprig.

Read More: How to Choose the Best Bourbon for Mint Julep

5. MAKER’s® & GINGER

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

• Ginger ale

• Lime wedges for garnish

How to

• Fill a rocks glass with ice

• Add Maker’s Mark and top off with ginger ale to taste.

• Garnish with a lime wedge.

The Maker’s Mark Distillery Experience

When you visit the Maker’s Mark Distillery Experience, you have some unique options available to you. The best is to go on a tour, learn the history of Maker’s Mark, all about the traditions, the craft of bourbon making, and then sit down for a unique dining experience. Chef Newman Miller creates a unique farm to table experience featuring a three-course communal dinner with paired cocktails for guests who are 21 years of age and older.

Why Pick Larceny Bourbon Over Anything Else?

• Larceny offers a serious flavor that is not going to overwhelm your pallet but instead will offer a smooth rich bourbon worthy of sipping.

• Larceny does something different with their bourbon making, they bottle from small batches that have been housed on different floors that have been aging for between six and twelve years.

• While they do not release their mash bill, the company claims that the smooth feeling comes from utilizing one third more wheat than their competition.

• The finish for the bourbon is not too hot and offers a balanced ending.

• One of the things that lure you in when you see the bourbon is the deep caramel colors that have a hint of red as they show that the bourbon haws matured and aged completely.

• This bourbon is often rated very high in comparison to other bourbons that are in the same low-end price range.

Why Pick Maker’s Mark Bourbon Over Anything Else?

• Red winter wheat offers you a front of the palate sweetness that you are not going to get with all bourbons.

• Maker’s Mark has been using a 150-year-old yeast strain that is the most guarded secret for the bourbon.

• Maker’s Mark is 90 US Proof as it features an alcohol content of 45%.

• The company pays extra attention to the details, ensuring that barrels have the perfect char, are rotated by hand, hand-dipped wax technique and more.

• The flavor is rich and offers a depth that other inexpensive bourbons do not often feature.

• Maker’s Mark is a very balanced bourbon that features a delicious flavor that allows you to sip year-round, regardless of the temperatures.

• Maker’s Mark is a soft and smooth bourbon that makes drinking easy.

• They have amassed quite the following of daily drinkers and fans from around the globe.

Larceny Bourbon vs Maker’s Mark

Final Thoughts

It does not matter if you are a seasoned drinker or not, there is nothing like enjoying a nice smooth bourbon.

Maker’s Mark has become a well known and trusted brand in the bourbon world. That being said, Larceny has been gaining popularity since they have been rising in the ranks.

They are their top competition in wheated bourbons on the market today.  Surprisingly, considering Old Fitz’s popularity, Larceny is even giving bourbons within its own brand a run for their money.

If you live in the United States or are visiting and happen to be in Kentucky, you should take the time to visit Maker’s Mark. You can even dip your very own bottle in the wax during the tour.

While it can be intimidating to start drinking bourbon, there are so many tips that we have shared with you that you can begin your bourbon drinking experiences today.

There are a few different types of bourbon and Americans seem to really love them all. In fact, September has been known as National Bourbon Heritage Month in the United States since August of 2007 after the US Senate declared it so.

After reading this article you will be able to understand the distinct flavors of two of America’s most beloved bourbons, Maker’s Mark and Larceny.

Recommended Reads:

• Maker’s Mark vs Jack Daniels – The Full Brand Battle!