Angel’s Envy
Distillery: Angel’s Envy
Age: No Statement (4-6 years)
Proof: 86.6
Verdict: Maybe a bourbon? Maybe not. Who cares, it’s delicious.
Score: 8.18
Angel’s Envy is a distillery that likes to experiment. Technically speaking, bourbon isn’t supposed to touch anything except new charred oak barrels until it’s bottled. Angel’s Envy, however, is finished in port wine barrels for up to 6 months after the traditional aging process. While finished bourbons are becoming more common, there’s still some debate as to whether they’re officially bourbons.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less. And frankly, I don’t fully understand what finishing it in port wine barrels does to the juice… but the stuff is delicious. It’s a sweet, smooth hug for your palate. The mouthfeel is velvety, with immediate notes of vanilla and caramel. Deeper hints are of roasted nuts, sweet raisins, and wine fruit. There’s nothing spiky or overpowering. It’s so easy to drink and doesn’t get tiresome. This bottle is one of the most commonly pulled off the shelf in my house.
The standard Angel’s Envy label is commonplace, and should be located on most proper store’s shelves. Price can vary, however, and you’ll see it listed anywhere from $33 to $60-ish. To me, anywhere in the middle to low end of that range and it’s worth it. Here’s the cheapest shipper I could locate: