Compare
Jim Beam Black vs Larceny Small Batch
Jim Beam Black and Larceny Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Larceny Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 92 proof (46% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$25 – $32 |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Larceny Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Larceny Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Larceny Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- Larceny Small Batch: Heaven Hill's everyday wheater and the most affordable way into the style. Soft honey and butterscotch with almost no spice, and a texture that makes the low price hard to argue with.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
- Go with Larceny Small Batch if you want an easy, sweet, genuinely inexpensive wheated bourbon with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks, cocktails (Larceny Small Batch).