Angel's Envy

Discover the Divine Taste of Angel's Envy Bourbon Whiskey

Angel’s Envy Bourbon, a spirit perfected in port wine barrels, offers a distinct sip that’s as intriguing as it is satisfying. But what does this mean for its taste and how does it compare to traditional bourbons? This article leads you through the sensory journey that defines Angel’s Envy, without the fluff or sales jargon.

Key Takeaways

• Angel’s Envy Bourbon is distinctive for its port wine barrel finishing, which imparts rich flavors such as vanilla, raisins, and toasted nuts, along with a lingering sweetness and long finish due to ruby port wine casks from Portugal’s Douro region.

• The bourbon’s nuanced flavor is a result of its aging process in toasted oak barrels and the ‘angel’s share’—the portion lost to evaporation—which plays a crucial role in developing the final taste of the whiskey.

• Angel’s Envy pursues a handcrafted approach, producing in small batches to guarantee consistency and high quality, and offers a range of products each with unique profiles, such as First Call Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Bourbon Barrel Select.

The Art of Angel's Envy: Port Wine Barrel Finishing

The distinctive flavor of Angel’s Envy Bourbon is largely due to the technique of port wine barrel finishing. This process has historical roots, dating back to the traditional use of fortified wine barrels, including port, sherry, and madeira. These barrels impart a smooth and slightly dry flavor to the Kentucky straight bourbon, a distinctive feature of Angel’s Envy.

The result? A bourbon with a rich flavor profile that encompasses notes of vanilla, raisins, maple syrup, and toasted nuts, complemented by a lingering sweetness with a hint of Madeira.

Ruby Port Wine Casks

Ruby port wine casks, made from French oak hailing from Portugal’s Douro region, are used in the production of Angel’s Envy handcrafted bourbon. These casks are meticulously prepared to impart a finishing touch to the bourbon over a duration of three to six months. The process of finishing Angel’s Envy Bourbon in these casks enhances the bourbon with:

• A layer of richness

• Subtle sweetness

• Complex flavors

• Dried fruit notes

• Soft tannins

• A particularly long finish

This contributes to a uniquely rich and complex flavor profile.

This novel technique is becoming more popular, and distilleries like Angel’s Envy are paving the way in producing unique whiskeys using these casks.

Port Finishing Process Duration

During the three to six months of the port finishing process, Angel’s Envy Bourbon develops its unique flavor. Factors such as the origin of the cask, the duration of storage, and the environmental conditions where the casks are stored play a critical role in the production of Angel’s Envy Kentucky straight bourbon.

This time period, during which the port finishing process lasts, is vital because it permits the intricate flavors from the port wine to blend, resulting in a rich and nuanced taste.

Unveiling Subtly Distinct Flavor Nuances

The toasted oak flavor of Angel’s Envy Bourbon is achieved by aging the bourbon in oak barrels, which have been lightly charred over wood fires, giving the whiskey a subtle yet noticeable toasted oak character. Angel’s Envy is characterized by an array of flavors, such as vanilla, raisins, maple syrup, and toasted nuts, with underlying hints of Madeira.

Each barrel contributes distinct characteristics, and individuals can develop an appreciation for these subtle nuances by engaging in a deliberate process of savoring and discerning the bourbon’s evolving flavors, from initial sweetness and spiciness to a smooth finish.

Lingering Sweetness

The prolonged sweetness in Angel’s Envy Bourbon is primarily due to the high corn content in the mash bill and the use of Sauternes wine barrels in the finishing process. Angel’s Envy Bourbon is characterized by a smooth and sweet taste, complemented by a well-balanced blend of spice and mint, setting it apart from the sweetness profiles of other bourbons.

The distinct sweetness of Angel’s Envy Bourbon is a result of its production process, particularly the specific finishing method that greatly shapes its flavor.

Toasted Oak Barrels

The process of toasting oak barrels for whiskey aging includes:

• A pre-char toast to break down the oak’s lignin

• This toasting method produces shorter tannin chains, leading to a smoother mouthfeel and reduced astringency in the resulting whiskey

• It also imparts a more pronounced flavor profile with fewer vanillins and a toffee-like taste.

The influence of toasted oak barrels on whiskey flavor is explained scientifically through the barrel aging process. Throughout this process, the whiskey interacts with the wood, extracting compounds that modify its flavor.

Crafting an Award-Winning Spirit

The production process of Angel’s Envy Bourbon is distinguished by its handcrafted approach, with small batches of 8 to 12 barrels at a time, emphasizing precision and quality. Such a meticulous process ensures that each batch of Angel’s Envy Bourbon is a masterpiece.

Yet, there’s a mystical element to this process too, referred to as the “angel’s share”. This romantic term denotes the fraction of whiskey that evaporates while maturing in wooden barrels. This evaporation plays a key role in shaping the final flavor of the whiskey and is a significant part of crafting a refined spirit like Angel’s Envy.

Small Batches

The small batch production process of Angel’s Envy Bourbon includes the finishing of the bourbon in port wine barrels for a duration of three to six months. The process of blending in small batches and finishing the bourbon in ruby port wine casks enhances the quality of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, resulting in a unique flavor profile that is highly consistent and of a high standard.

Through careful blending in limited amounts, Angel’s Envy ensures consistency in their small batch bourbon production, allowing careful control over the flavor profile and maintaining high standards across all batches. This process, known as batch’s conditioning, is crucial to the quality of their bourbon.

Angel's Share

‘Angel’s share’ refers to the 5% of the spirit that disappears each year during the cask aging process. This natural phenomenon plays a significant role in shaping the distinct flavors and attributes of the whiskey. The quantity of whiskey’s ‘angel’s share’ is influenced by factors such as:

• air pressure

• cask size

• whiskey volume

• oak density

• aging time

• humidity

• temperature

• chemical composition of the spirit

This divine loss, known as the angel’s share, attests to the otherworldly quality of Angel’s Envy Bourbon.

Store Spotlight: Angel's Envy Bourbon Selections

Different selections of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, known for its exquisite flavor and unmatched artistry, can be found in a variety of stores. Each selection offers its own unique flavor profiles and characteristics, allowing bourbon enthusiasts to choose according to their preferences.

First Call Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, also known as First Call, features:

• Aromas of vanilla and butterscotch

• Understated dark fruit notes

• A touch of oak

• A sweet, warm finish with a bit of a kick

It’s produced at the Angel’s Envy distillery, situated in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, to ensure the authenticity of the product in line with Kentucky’s esteemed bourbon tradition.

Bourbon Barrel Select

The Angel’s Envy Bourbon Barrel Select is a premium offering that presents a welcoming aroma, highlighted by sweet brown sugar and caramel notes. As a port-finished whiskey, it offers heightened sweetness and a concentrated taste profile with elevated proof compared to standard offerings. It also features prominent notes of:

• oak

• dryness

• pine

• rye

• tobacco

Showcasing considerable depth, the project was deemed ready for presentation.

Summary

In the realm of bourbons, Angel’s Envy stands out with its divine taste and exquisite craftsmanship. Its unique port wine barrel finishing process, the use of ruby port wine casks, the subtly distinct flavor nuances, and the small batch production process all contribute to the creation of this award-winning spirit. Whether you choose the First Call Kentucky Straight Bourbon or the premium Bourbon Barrel Select, each sip of Angel’s Envy takes you on a heavenly journey of taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Angel's Envy a good whiskey?

Angel's Envy may be worth trying if you're specifically interested in a Port-finished bourbon, but it might not be a top choice for all bourbon enthusiasts. However, it still offers a good overall experience.

What makes Angel's Envy special?

Angel's Envy is special because they mature their whiskey in charred oak barrels and then transfer it to secondary finishing casks, creating a distinct blend of refined complexity and an inviting flavor profile. This process sets it apart from other whiskeys on the market.

Who makes Angel's Envy Whiskey?

Angel's Envy whiskey is made by the Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited.

How does the process of toasting oak barrels impact the flavor of Angel's Envy Bourbon?

Toasting oak barrels enriches Angel's Envy Bourbon with toasted vanilla, caramel, and nutty notes by improving the interaction between the whiskey and the wood.

Where can I find Angel's Envy whiskey?

If you're looking for Angel's Envy Whiskey, Liquorama has you covered. Visit us in store or browse through our selection online. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.