Angel’s Envy Cask Strength 2024 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (750mL) – [WA 92]

Introduction

Distillery Notes:

This bourbon, our 13th release, is made from some of the most distinctive barrels in our rickhouse and aged for up to 14 additional months in port wine casks, its one of our most popular and critically acclaimed whiskey collections.

The robust oak and toffee from this 2024 bourbon deftly marries with our hallmark Ruby Port characters. The new addition of Tawny Port-finished bourbon provides the nutty, caramelized fruit character that acts as a bridge between the two flavor profiles. By balancing the bright red berry acidity with the brooding sweetness of dried fruit, weve worked to introduce a fresh dimension to this years Cask Strength program.

Proof: 118.8 proof

Tasting Notes:

With a burnished amber hue, the blend of Ruby and Tawny Port barrels bring a nuanced flavor profile that can be enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube.

Nose: Caramelized notes of brown sugar and butterscotch open up into stone fruit, pear, and spice.

Palate: Crisp apple crumble and buttery pie crust balance darker notes of chocolate, oak, and cinnamon honey. Both nutty and floral.

Finish: Pleasant and long. Oak tannins mingle with rich port and bright fruits to deliver a sweet and spiced finale.

Awards/Reviews:

92 Points – Whisky Advocate

“The nose is aromatic and gentle despite the proof, with vanilla fudge, salted caramel, cotton candy, and dried strawberries, balanced by oak, cedar closet, and earthiness. The big palate offers more vanilla, plus red berry, baked cherries, espresso, and a generous dash of pepper spice. The fruit and sweetness stand up to the heat nicely. The finish is medium-length, with similar flavors and a fair amount of oak influence.”

“For the 13th release of their annual Cask Strength expression, the brand used two types of port barrels for their finishing. A tawny port wine finished bourbon was blended with the brands traditional ruby port wine finished bourbon. Additionally, the brand employed another first for this release, utilizing the Solera method, which they state created a continuous aging process that ensures consistent flavor. While the bourbon doesnt have an age statement, the website states that the bourbon used in the blend is from 2016, which would make it approximately 8 years old. The nose is well balanced and surprisingly doesnt give away the high proof of the bourbon, while the palate starts sweet and morphs to dry earthy notes on the backend. There is a pop of sweetness on the finish, but in general, the finish is drier, focusing on its earthier aspect for a while as it lingers around. Its a pleasing bourbon finish thats neither too sweet or dry, instead providing a balanced sip for those who seek out port finished bourbons.”

-Breaking Bourbon

“Its perhaps a bit beefier on the nose this year than in previous renditions, showing off more of a barrel-driven character, tempering its nutty, peppery, and ultimately raisiny core. Theres a blend of sweet and savory on the palate, though theres more of a weighty mushroom character this year, coming across with heavy elements of black tea, leather, and pepper. In time, elements of toasted marshmallow and dark chocolate emerge, the latter evoking the classic Port finishing on the whiskey.” – Drinkhacker (B+)

“The nose led with wine fruitboozy grape, black cherry, plumsbuttressed by a solid nutty note and a pinch of woody spices. Sipping revealed a silky texture. The wine fruit from the nose leads again, this time hand-in-hand with a balanced helping of vanilla bean. The nuttiness is more subdued, balanced by an on-par note of cookie spices that serves as the supporting characters. Add to that a little leaf tobacco coming on at the end as an extra, and you have the cast for this production.” – The Whiskey Wash