Angel's Envy Bourbon and Rye Reviews

 

There are plenty of easily recognizable names in the American distilling universe. One of those was Lincoln Henderson. He spent 40 years at Brown Forman and is responsible for Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, and Woodford Reserve. Then, Lincoln retired.

 

And, as what often happens with retired Master Distillers who can’t rid themselves of that distilling itch, Lincoln unretired and, along with his son Wes, founded Angel’s Envy in 2011. They broke ground on their Louisville distillery in 2013, just a few months shy of Lincoln’s passing.

 

What Lincoln and Wes accomplished was bringing barrel finishing to the mainstream. Barrel-finishing Bourbon and American Rye was still in its infancy, and the Hendersons created an entire brand around the concept of finishing sourced whiskeys.

 

Angel’s Envy was sold to Bacardi Limited in 2015. Wes stayed on as the brand’s steward to maintain the quality and growth of the brand before finally retiring in 2022. On a side note, that distilling itch caught Wes, too. He’s come out of retirement to start a new brand and is building a distillery in Lexington. Owen Martin took over the responsibilities of Master Distiller and is a longtime expert on blending and barrel finishing, and he’s not afraid to push the envelope.

 

Today, we will explore the two original core offerings from Angel’s Envy: Kentucky Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels and Rye Whiskey Finished in Carribean Rum Casks.

 

Before I get to #DrinkCurious, I must thank Angel’s Envy for providing me with these samples in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews.

 

Kentucky Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels

 

 

• Distiller: Undisclosed
• Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley
• Age Statement: NAS, but each 8-12 barrel batch is aged up to 6 years
• Cooperage:  New charred oak, then finished 3-6 months in Ruby Port wine casks
• Alcohol Content: 43.3% ABV (86.6°)
• Price per 750ml: $39.99

 

Appearance: This whiskey was the color of caramel. I poured it into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. A medium rim formed, releasing mid-spaced, thicker, slow tears.

 

Nose: The corn influence dominated the aroma. I also smelled raisins, vanilla, oak, and peanuts. I found a hint of chocolate when I pulled the air into my mouth. Overall, the nosing experience was challenging – everything seemed muted.

 

Palate: The Bourbon’s texture was creamy yet gentle. Vanilla, leather, and corn hit the front of my palate. The middle featured brown sugar, orange zest, and dried cherries. The back tasted of oak, rye spice, and caramel.

 

Finish: Oak, black pepper, rye spice, cherries, and vanilla remained. I timed the finish at 1:40, making it medium-long in duration.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Angel’s Envy was part of a tiny niche group of American finished whiskeys back in the day. In 2024, that’s commonplace, and brands are using some pretty unique woods and liquid influences.

 

My only real complaint is it is underproofed and limits what smells and flavors can be discerned. The price is attractive, and a dozen years ago, this would have taken a Bottle rating because it was something special. Aside from the recognizable bottle shape, it would otherwise get lost on the shelf in today’s market.

 

Please don’t take what I’m saying as denigrating this whiskey. Because while Angel’s Envy Bourbon isn’t going to knock your socks off, it is a decent pour. However, it earns my Bar rating. Taste it first before mindlessly grabbing one off the shelf.

 

On a side note, I’ve had my fair share of private selection versions, and most have been stunning. Again, I attribute it to a difference in proof.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks

  

• Distiller: Undisclosed, but since this is distilled in Indiana, that means MGP
• Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% malted barley
• Age Statement: NAS
• Cooperage: New, charred oak, then up to 18 months in Caribbean Rum casks
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 750ml: $64.99

 

Appearance: I poured this Rye into a Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. The whiskey had a coppery color; it produced a thin rim with widely spaced, fast tears.

 

Nose: The aroma is enchanting, and the rum cask influence is obvious. Brown sugar, glazed donuts, molasses, nutmeg, and rye spice teased my olfactory sense effortlessly. Inhaling the vapor through my lips caused me to taste more molasses.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was airy. Flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and butterscotch were on the front. Midway through, I encountered cinnamon, ginger, and rye spice. The back featured black pepper, oak, and menthol.

 

Finish: I timed the duration at 1:48, tossing it in the medium category. The ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper notes melded nicely with the molasses and butterscotch.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Angel’s Envy will throw you for a loop if you're into classic American Ryes. It is, without a doubt, a dessert whiskey. It is incredibly easy to sip sweet yet retains some of the expected Rye notes.

 

I’ve sipped on Angel’s Envy Rye for many years, and I’m shocked it has taken me this long to review it. I keep returning to it because it is delicious (and the cask-strength version is just awesome). There’s nothing not to enjoy, and it is appropriately priced. I’m happy to crown it with my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.