Angel's Envy Port Barrel Finish

After spending several months over this bottle I am still puzzled as to my final judgment. Undoubtedly, this was a quality bourbon to begin with and I am uncertain what was actually gained by finishing it in port barrels. This bourbon had a high rye content and I think that the port influence was just too much for that grain: spices were very muted and the fruitiness in the whiskey is due to the port, not so much to the rye. Perhaps with a less heavy rye mash bill this might have turned out differently, but I most likely will never find out as my Angel's Envy experimentation will probably end with this bottle.

Nose: Definitely a quality rye-heavy bourbon with all the grain, oak and caramel you would expect - but with a bit of a twist: a vinous, dark fruit (raisins-prune)overtone due to the port conditioning.

Palate: Incredibly light, smooth and juicy. Winey. Some light spices mid-palate are washed away by the port.

Finish: Very long finish which is dry and vinous (a bit too vinous in fact).

Batch #13J; Bottle #1748

This is one of the oddest bourbons i have ever had, light but spicy with a nice candied fruit feel and easy drinkability.

Nose: Candied Fruits, light rye, slight wine, dark fruits, and peaches. Palate: Light, luscious candied fruits, some spice a lot more than i expected, and some wine to round it out. Finish: Dark fruits, spice, wine, candied fruits

Easy to drink but not something i will get again. I prefer something dry like wild turkey, still give it a try it is lighter than i am used to.

One of the coolest bourbon bottles around, complete with wings on the back. I really like the way this bourbon is finished in port. That is a nice extra touch.

Nose: Artificial cherry flavor, sliced honey ham, oak

Taste: Cherry again, imitation vanilla, maple syrup, sweet white corn on the cob, apricots.

Finish: Fake cherry syrup, caramel, quince preserves.

I was a little disappointed with this bourbon. It features the same heavy chemically derived "cherry" flavor that is a bit overwhelming in most good bourbons such as Maker's Mark. In less expensive bourbons, this cherry flavor goes sour and bitter. That, thankfully, is not the case with Angel's Envy.

My take on bourbon is this: most of them, with the exception of wheat bourbons, taste more similar to each other than single malt scotches, which have infinitely more variation. Then again, I am biased: I favor scotches. They agree more with my stomach and general constitution. More than three glasses of bourbon during the course of an evening invariably will make me feel a little nauseated and weak the next day. Not so with scotch. I can drink 3-4 glasses through the course of an evening and feel fine the next day. In my mind, I equate the next day blues with that sickly sweet cherry flavor, and so this has gradually turned into a slight dread of it since I associate nausea with that flavor and smell.

Angels Envy, while better than most, is also typical of this cherry flavor, despite the fact that it is finished in port wine barrels.

Most reviews of bourbon do not even mention the cherry flavor because it is so ubiquitous.

Rittenhouse rye is a notable exception, as is Bernheim, which is wheated. I like Rittenhouse and would go out of my way to order a glass in a bar. The cherry flavor is more like stewed prunes in a Moroccan chicken dish. Just fine and "deeper" in flavor than the grating high pitched ubiquitous fake cherry that reminds me of cherry flavored soda, which is often made from chemical ingredients designed to imitate the flavor of cherry (badly). The only thing worse than fake cherry flavor is fake water mellon flavor, which tastes absolutely nothing like real water mellon to me.

If Angel's Envy were served to me, I would gladly drink one glass but no more. I will never buy a bottle of it again, but, this said, I will save this bottle. It's way cool.

First off, I'm a sucker for Port, Rum, and Madeira finished whisk(e)ys. The Balvenie 21 PortWood, Balvenie 17 year Madeaie, Balvenie 14 year Caribbean, and Bushmills 21 year all made me curl up in my chair and smile : ) Adding this pleasing finish to a bourbon is genius.

The nose is immediately sweeter than most bourbons. It's somewhat similar to Woodford Reserve, if I remember correctly. The palate is extremely smooth, but the port influence doesn't detract from the bourbon profile at all. It surrounds it with a velvet blanket. Rye is at the forefront with the woody, earthy, and spicy flavors following. The port boosts the fruit profile quite nicely and provides this whiskey with a touch of elegance. Thank you Lincoln Henderson!

I had a bottle of this mailed to me by a good friend because it is currently not available in GA but is coming in 2013 I am told. What an idea to finish bourbon in port barrels...why didn't I think of that! What starts as most certainly a great bourbon is made all the better by resting in select port barrels. As another reviewer said it is tailor made for a good cigar after a great steak! Almost a dessert in itself, Angel's Envy, comes with just enough strong bourbon feel to keep the bourbon traditionalists respecting it.

Angel's Envy better get ready because I suspect there will be some more port finished bourbons coming in the next few years but I suspect none will better Lincoln Henderson's inaugural foray.

It’s about time I posted my notes on this one, as I’ve been meaning to for a long time. A bourbon. yes, but not any bourbon, but a very special one : finished in Port casks after being aged in fresh oak casks, as bourbons should.

Basically this is one is born out of love and passion , Lincoln Henderson’s, love and passion. Mr. Henderson describes his masterwork as “a warm spirit, lacking any hint of edginess, with ephemeral hints of port wine and a rich amber hue.” He explains, “My goal with Angel’s Envy is to produce a bourbon of exceptional character. Even with economic fluctuations, consumers want the opportunity to treat themselves to special indulgences, and I have created an affordable luxury that can be savored.”

As for the name, we all know about “Angel’s Share”, that percentage of the liquid the angels take for themselves in exchange for maturing the liquid, which is about 5% percent per year. After tasting his creation, Lincoln Henderson reckoned that the angels might have wanted a bigger cut. Thus, Angel’s Envy was born. Actually finishing a bourbon is not something done everyday, and when discussing this with fellow whisky geeks, the questions arose, if a bourbon finished in Port can actually be called Bourbon. As it happens, it surely can. good to know.

Ok, I’ve written to much about it, and I am sure you would like to know how I liked this one, and what’s it like, so here goes…

Nose: Sweet. Very sweet. Coconut chips, vanilla , maple wood, wood varnish and honey liquor. Not forgetting spices mainly cinnamon and the odd note of Mushrooms and balsamic extract. This is interesting stuff! Palate: Big entry. Feels much stronger than it 43.3% ABV! Sweet juices, coconut , vanilla and quite some wood. Touches of sweet desert wine , wood bark, cinnamon and burnt sugar. Finish:Maple wood , vanilla and coconut chips.

A very rich, and rewarding dram, certainly great for sipping after a meal, or with desert. I’d say it would go very nicely with a good cigar as well. This is Great stuff, really enjoyable. Would love to try that one at Cask strength, 60 something percent, it should be wonderful. Good work guys! Currently it’s available only in the USA as for as I know, and we should really ask for this stuff to be imported as well!

Not singing from the same hymn book, legendary Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson has flipped the bourbon spiritual paradigm in a new direction by offering Angel's Envy. Aged in new oak charred barrels 4-6 years and finished 3-6 months in port barrels, this is a first in bourbon world.

With angel wings displayed on the bottle and appropriately on the "spirit" side of the classy cork top, the buzz has been flying high in anticipation of this unique bourbon.

Confession made that this review was tasted neat and hand warmed in a 12 oz. snifter.

Nose: Creamy caramels in vanilla, minty, macerated bowl of very ripe summer fruits or berries. Oak and port wine seep hand in hand from the beautifully balanced sweet aromas.

Palate: Lightly spiced with those vanilla and caramel cream notes surrounded by hints of cocoa, mint, currants and port in a lightly oiled smooth package delivered with ease.

Finish: A little peppery buzz on the tongue which lingers within this medium length finish that sustains those porty, oaky notes throughout my attentive tasting ritual.

Non-chilled filtered, this is a delightful new arrival for whiskey world enthusiasts. A very enjoyable and smooth experience which is sure to encourage more distillers to search and pray for their "angels" to arrive and join this heavenly party.

Definitely a bottle that will likely have a steady presence in my cabinet. With rumors of a cask strength expression to be released near the end of 2011, I will be on my best behavior to savor this tough to find bottle in preparation for my next. Pass the collection plate!