This yr’s port word is extra wine like that is pushed by the addition of tawny port barrels to the ending regime. The place earlier port notes have been sweeter and pleasantly candied, that is extra intriguing: fermented, tarter, angular and darkish cherry-candied.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Angel’s Envy
- MASH BILL: 72% Corn | 18% Rye | 10% Malted Barley
- AGE: Not said, however round 6 years
- YEAR: 2024
- PROOF: 118.8 (59.4% ABV)
- MSRP: $229.99
- BUY ONLINE: Nationwide distribution of 23,196 bottles and on-line.
STEVE’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: All followers of Angel’s Envy, particularly those that know these cask power releases effectively sufficient to understand the daring and sophisticated modifications this spirit has undergone underneath the mixing chops of grasp distiller Owen Martin.
WORTH THE PRICE: It is nonetheless somewhat steep for me, however hardcore Angel’s Envy followers pays it.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle if it is in your value vary.
OVERALL: Throughout a media tasting of this coveted annual launch, Owen Martin supplied reference samples of the unique AE cask power from 2013 and final yr’s 2023 launch, his first mix of AE’s cask power. That 2013 launch was a completed bourbon I cherished early on in my bourbon journey, and trotting it out alongside the ’23 and ’24 confirmed how effectively the OG holds as much as its larger, bolder siblings.
However, naturally, it additionally exhibits how delicate that first iteration, produced by cofounder Wes Henderson, was and nonetheless is. Through the years that he hosted media tastings of the annual launch, he talked about a choice towards much less port affect with every subsequent launch. None of these have been disappointing, however as arguably the bourbon class’s first cask-finished whiskey, it made me marvel why he’d transfer away from that scrumptious differentiator. I cherished that darkish, grape-y, purple iris word and hoped he’d swing again in that route sometime, however he left Angel’s Envy earlier than then. That left me hoping Martin would try this.
He not solely did it, he did it higher than I would imagined. This yr’s port word is extra wine like, a burst of taste pushed by the addition of tawny port barrels to the ending regime. The place earlier port notes have been sweeter and pleasantly candied, that is extra intriguing: fermented, tarter, angular and darkish cherry-candied. The spirit virtually dances from the tip of the tongue to the again.
I used to be so desperate to re-taste my very own pattern that I uncared for to say its nostril: Buzzing with spice, darkish fruit and a few black pepper notes. Oak is full of life and lubricated with deep caramel and undercurrents of tawny port. That tweak, that small addition of tawny port barrels, has modified this spirit in thrilling methods, and in a route I hope the Henderson clan enjoys as a lot as I do. This can be a outstanding bourbon that lands excessive on my 2024 record of favorites.
BRAND NOTES
Grasp Distiller Owen Martin and the best-in-class manufacturing group blended the mellow end from Tawny Port barrels with the bottom bourbon’s warmth to combine seamlessly with the trademark Ruby Port, crafting a wealthy and sophisticated profile that honors the Cask Power custom. The strong oak and toffee from the bourbon harmonize with the hallmark Ruby Port character, whereas Tawny Port provides a nutty, caramelized fruit high quality that bridges the 2 flavors. Utilizing the Solera Technique for the primary time at Angel’s Envy, they created a steady ageing course of that ensures constant taste, leading to a bourbon of extraordinary depth.
“I’m excited to proceed evolving what followers can count on from the Angel’s Envy Cask Power Program in new but acquainted methods,” mentioned Owen Martin, Grasp Distiller at Angel’s Envy. “This yr’s Cask Power Bourbon not solely honors the acquainted flavors our followers love, but additionally provides one other layer of complexity with the Tawny end. It’s an awesome instance of our imaginative and prescient for innovation, staying true to our roots whereas striving to supply a recent perspective on our cherished whiskeys and American Whiskey general.”
NOSE: Begins with hints of leather-based, brown sugar and caramel, adopted by crème brûlée, marshmallow, inexperienced apple and citrus orange.
PALATE: Apples, caramel, and brown sugar. The creaminess pairs with orange from the nostril, making a dessert-like richness. Vanilla, toasted oak and black pepper spice spherical it out.
FINISH: Slight fruitiness and grape tannic notes with a lingering spice.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter obtained a pattern of this product from the model for evaluation. We recognize their willingness to permit us to evaluation their merchandise with no strings connected. Thanks.
