Angel’s Envy Used Two Different Port Barrels for Its New Cask-Strength Bourbon
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Angel’s Envy is a pioneer in the category of cask-finished American whiskey. Since it was founded in 2010, the distillery’s core bourbon has always been aged for about four to six years before being finished for six months in port barrels. The 2024 edition of the annual cask-strength release, however, changes up the formula: For the first time, Angel’s Envy used two different types of port barrels for its secondary maturation, and we have the details.
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This year makes the 13th release of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon, and the second under master distiller Owen Martin’s watch. He got the job two years ago in the fall of 2022, and was also part of the team responsible for the excellent new Triple Oak release. Normally, the spirit is finished in ruby port barrels, but for this year’s expression, a portion of whiskey finished in tawny port barrels was included in the blend as well. That might sound like a minor tweak, but the two styles of port are very different. Ruby port is generally younger, fruitier, and sweeter, often spending time in metal tanks; tawny port is older and matured in wooden casks to give it notes of tannin, nuts, and vanilla. According to the brand, the new tawny port finish brings a mellow character to the bourbon along with oak and toffee notes, while the traditional ruby port finish adds nutty, caramelized fruit flavors.
“I’m excited to continue evolving what fans can expect from the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Program in new yet familiar ways,” said Martin in a statement. “This year’s Cask Strength Bourbon not only honors the familiar flavors our fans love but also adds another layer of complexity with the tawny finish. It’s a great example of our vision for innovation, staying true to our roots while striving to provide a fresh perspective on our cherished whiskeys and American whiskey overall.”
In another first for the distillery, Angel’s Envy employed a solera method of aging the whiskey for this new release. According to a brand rep, this means that Martin and the team are “overblending and rebarreling a portion of each year’s release so that they can roll a percentage of it into the following year.” Official tasting notes describe apple crumble, buttery pie crust, dark chocolate, oak, and cinnamon honey on the palate. The bourbon was bottled at cask strength of 118.8 proof, which is strong but nowhere near hazmat level (thankfully).
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon will be released in a run of 23,196 bottles this December with a suggested retail price of $230. If you want to get an early taste, you can head to the distillery in downtown Louisville on November 21, when bottles will go on sale starting at 9 a.m. and Martin will be onsite to sign them. You can also find previous editions of the Cask Strength Bourbon available to buy now from websites like Total Wine now.
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