Angel's Envy Bourbon & Side Label
Bourbon Spirits

Angel’s Envy

stogiesonthero 

Initial Thoughts

Traditionally, every distillery owes a percentage of the bourbon to the angels. This agreement is known as the Angel’s shares. But when Lincoln Henderson created a bourbon with exquisitely subtle “expressions” that came from joining bourbon tradition with port wine heritage, they felt they should have gotten a bigger share. And Angel’s Envy was born.

Angel's Envy Bourbon
Angel’s Envy Bourbon

 

Wow, talk about a way to introduce a bourbon to the world! That story will stand up and get your attention. This is a nice story that plays on the tradition of the Angel’s share idea that all bourbon manufacturers have to deal with. Jim Beam created something similar called “The Devil’s Cut” which is a little bit on the darker side of the story.

To me Angel’s Envy has a very interesting manufacturing procedure. You’ll notice on the bottle it says “Finished in Port Wine Barrels”. This finishing experimentation is increasing all across the bourbon industry. I think it’s a great innovative way to create some new takes on the old libation. So what do they mean when they ‘finish it in Port wine barrels’?

After 4-6 years of aging in a New Oak barrel, the Henderson family hand select barrels they believe are ready for bottling. Once those barrels are selected they are transferred into 60 gallon Ruby Port barrels shipped directly from Portugal. Then Angel’s Envy is finished for 3-6 months. After another tasting to determine the readiness of the bourbon they blend 10 barrels at a time together instead of a traditional 100+ barrels. All of this time and effort is something that would surely make the angels envious above.

A great back story is only half the battle, you have to have a good product to back it up. So let’s see what this bourbon has in store for us tasting wise.

Looks

As I’m sure you know, I’m a huge sucker for great packaging. I love the way this Angel’s Envy bottle looks. It’s tall and elegant. It has angel wings printed on the back of the bottle. They shine through the beautiful copper glow of the bourbon. The side of the bottle has a label that tells you the Batch Number & Bottle Number of this bourbon. It even has a space for you to write down the day you uncorked the bottle!

Angel's Envy Bourbon & Side Label
Angel’s Envy Bourbon & Side Label

This Angel’s Envy bourbon has a beautiful appearance. It’s a brilliant amber color, in certain light you get glimpses of gold shining through. It almost has a red copper-ish color contained in this slender sloping bottle. Again, I’m a sucker for this superb packaging.

Reviewed Neat

Nose

Immediately when I open this bottle of Angel’s Envy I’m hit with some pretty intense notes. Right away I pick up on the traditional Vanilla flavor found in nearly all bourbons. The second note I’m hit with comes from Maple Syrup and I’m instantly whisked away to sitting around the kitchen table eating belgian waffles hot off the waffle iron at my grand father’s house. The maple syrup notes make my mouth salivate waiting in anticipation of the first sip.

Palate

As soon as I take the first sip of Angel’s Envy I noticed the maple syrup notes even more. It’s something I just can’t away from. The Vanilla is there, but to me the maple syrup is the dominate flavor. It leaves me asking the question, I wonder if I could pour this on my belgian waffle and how delicious that would taste? … Ok I probably wouldn’t do that, but hey you always have to ask the question.

Angel's Envy Bourbon & Glass
Angel’s Envy Bourbon & Glass

Finish

I love the finish of this Angel’s Envy. It’s so clean and clear. It has a lingering sweetness to it. I pick up the vanilla notes, but there are hints of citrus as well. The vanilla has a nice slow fade to it. There’s a nice even burn on the tongue, it’s not overpowering,  just smooth and delicious!

 

Conclusion:

Angel’s Envy: 10/10

To me this is an obvious 10 out of 10. This might be one of my new favorite bourbons. I know it had a lot of hype coming out of the gate, but to me it lives up to the hype. I’m a huge fan. Obviously, the port barrel finishing brings a new dimension of flavors to the bourbon, but I’d be interested in seeing what it tastes like before the finishing. Chances are I would enjoy that just as much! So if you haven’t picked one up yet, go grab a bottle of this and try it out. I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed. 

Angel's Envy Bourbon Bottle
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Bottle
 

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20 thoughts on “Angel’s Envy

  1. Wesley Henderson

    Thank you so much for the kind review of Angel’s Envy!

    Cheers!

    Wes Henderson
    Louisville Distilling Company

    1. Eric Scism

      Wes thank you sir. You guys make a great product and you have great people! Ryan is great sales force out there for you guys. I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone as passionate about bourbon as that guy!

  2. Marc Bushala

    Great description and beautiful photos. Made my mouth water reading the review!

    1. Eric Scism

      Marc Thank you for the kind words! Just wait until you taste the bourbon, then your mouth will water even more than it is now!

  3. Albert Amato

    Born and raised in the South, I have been drinking bourbon for over 45 years and I must say this is the smoothest, distinctive and glorious taste ever. Kudos to Angel’s Envy for making me switch back from Vodka!!

    1. Eric Scism

      Albert, wow, I think you gave it a better review than I did! I have to say I love this bourbon I think anyone that tries it would love it as well!

  4. Han

    At providence, bought the bottle. Omg, smooth

    1. Eric Scism

      Hahaha, that was pretty much my response too! Love this stuff.

  5. Scott Maryland

    I just received a bottle of Angel’s Envy from a couple who chose this bourbon based on your review and your 10/10 rating. Because of your review and their gift to me I now have a new favorite bourbon.

    1. Eric Scism

      Scott thank you for the kind words. I’m glad I was able to convince this couple to buy a bottle. I think the product stands on its own merit, but it just has to be brought to people’s attention. Im glad you enjoyed the bourbon as much as I did.

  6. Brent Futrell

    I had a side-by-side dram of Angel’s Envy and a 20 yr-old Pappy Van Winkle. Honestly, the both were just as awesome as the other. Better yet, it is far easier to find a bottle of Angel’s Envy. The hype around Pappy is crazy. However, I’d still like to get my hands on a bottle of PVW to have at my leisure for many, many, more side by side tastings. I do believe I’ll pick up another bottle of Angel’s Envy very soon since it’s tax refund time!!.

    1. Eric Scism

      Man that’s a great recommendation and one I’m sure the people at AE would love to hear over and over. I do enjoy some Pappy, but if you can’t find it, you can’t enjoy it. So I tend to opt for Blanton’s and Angel’s Envy, both are delicious and you can find them anywhere. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to write a comment I appreciate it!

      1. Brent Futrell

        Not a problem, when a bourbon is as good as Angel’s Envy, recommendations and good reviews write themselves straight from the heart. I look forward to my next sip of that magical elixer from Kentucky!! Bartender, pour me another Angle’s Envy, please, it’ll go GREAT with this Platinum Scepter Series from Zino.

        1. Eric Scism

          I have not had that stick from Zino! I’ve only had the Platinum and I don’t remember it very well b/c I didn’t review it…

  7. StevShep

    A fruind gave me a bottle last night for my birthday. Wow. It’s awesome.

    1. Eric Scism

      Yes sir, it is delicious! Glad you enjoyed it.

  8. Kevin Hill

    Hands down my favorite Bourbon! So smooth, so many flavors.

    1. Eric Scism

      Man, it’s so good. I wish I had a pour right now. I have about 6 other bourbons to get through before I can get another bottle of it!

  9. Thierry Cowart

    I am from Louisiana and the only thing I know about bourbon is that my grandfather used to have a two finger bourbon with one cube of ice every night on the porch. I used to love the smell of his bourbon although I never knew the brand he drank. My husband and I had never tasted a bourbon so our son bought us a bottle of Angel’s Envy as a gift. This weekend I tasted my first bourbon, two fingers, one cube of ice. I have to say the smell of the bourbon was the first thing that caught my attention, I was instantly transported back in time, I just kept my eyes closed and enjoyed the memories of those hot, humid Louisiana nights chasing fireflies while the grown-ups sat on the porch talking. I prayed the taste was as good as the smell and that I would not be disappointed, I wasn’t and neither was he. I told my husband that from now on this is going to be a staple in our cabinet for when we go sit either on the porch or in the yard. Angel’s Envy is a perfect sipping bourbon.

    1. Eric Scism

      Wow, that’s an awesome story Thierry! Thanks for sharing it. Angel’s Envy is indeed incredible bourbon. I make sure that I always have some in my cabinet as well 🙂

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