We’ve
often heard the term Angels’ Share, but what does that mean? There’s a
simple explanation: When whiskey is stored for maturation, some of it
evaporates from the barrel, particularly in warmer months. While most
distilleries can estimate their annual angels’ share loss, no two barrels of
whiskey are identical; some barrels lose very little, and others can wind up
shockingly near-empty! Barrels that experience high angels’ share typically
offer more intense flavors as proof rises and the alcohol increases in volume.
Many
factors influence the angels’ share. In theory, the higher in the warehouse a
barrel is stored, the more evaporation occurs. That’s compounded with
temperature fluctuations; hotter climates experience greater angels’ share
loss. Some warehouses are exposed to more direct sunlight than others. Then,
there’s what’s called artificial seasons, or when a warehouse’s climate is manually
manipulated by heating and cooling cycles.
Old
Forester has its 117 Series, which it reserves for
experimental whiskeys. Its newest entry, High Angels’ Share Rye Batch No. 001, showcases the profound impact of evaporative loss
on a whiskey’s final character.
“We’re continually amazed by what our warehouses can produce. With High Angels’ Share Rye, the angels clearly left their mark, yielding a rye whiskey that’s bold, concentrated, and deeply rewarding. It’s a celebration of both old-world tradition and the serendipitous magic that comes from maturation in motion.” – Caleb Trigo, Assistant Master Distiller
High
Angels’ Share Rye uses Old Forester’s standard mashbill of 65% rye, 20% malted
barley, and 15% corn and carries no age statement. There’s no word on the char
level used; Old Forester typically employs #4 for its Rye, and there’s no
reason to assume High Angels’ Share is any different. As High Angels’ Share is
a limited-edition whiskey, your best bet to picking one up is at the
distillery, although select Kentucky retailers are slated to have some. A 375mL
package has a suggested price of $64.99.
Before
I #DrinkCurious, I must thank Old Forester for providing me with a sample of
this Rye in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Now, let’s get
to it!
- Whiskey Type: American Rye
- Distiller: Old Forester
- Age: NAS
- Mashbill: 65% rye, 20% malted barley, 15% corn
- Cooperage: 53-gallon, new charred oak barrels
- Alcohol Content: 55% ABV (110°)
- Price per 375mL: $64.99
Appearance: I used
a Glencairn glass to explore this Rye neat. It was a deep, dark, rusty color.
The whiskey formed a medium-thick rim with tightly packed, thicker, slow tears.
Nose: I
waited about 15 minutes before I began my nosing journey. The aroma included hazelnuts,
cherries, dark chocolate, old leather, tobacco, and oak. When I drew the air
through my lips, I encountered more old leather.
Palate: High Angels’
Share possessed an oily mouthfeel and, surprisingly, no alcohol punch. Flavors
of leather, tobacco, and grilled orange slices slid across the front of my
palate, while the middle included black cherries, dates, and cinnamon. I tasted
Nutella, rye spice, and black pepper on the back.
Finish: Cinnamon,
Nutella, black pepper, dates, orange zest, dark chocolate, and old leather
remained on my tongue and in my throat. The finish was soft and quite long,
lasting 1:52. There were no waves and troughs to deal with; it was even-keeled.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Notably
missing was much in terms of oak. I would have guessed smaller amounts of
whiskey would take on more of a wood influence. Maybe that happened at its
barrel proof? Regardless, I was impressed with how easily this American Rye
drank, its fruitiness, and how prominent Nutella (one of my favorite flavors) was.
Another thing that surprised
me was how many points beneath the stated proof this whiskey drank. It was, in
a word, seductive.
Here’s what stinks: High Angels’
Share Rye is a one-and-done thing, and once it is gone, it’s gone. While the
secondary market has diminished with the market downturn, I wouldn’t blink
twice at seeing this one on it. Don’t bother doing the whiskey math – if you
see this Bottle, get it. You won’t be disappointed. 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.
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