Angel’s Envy Review

Angel’s Envy is a bourbon that’s finished in port barrels, which sets it apart from most Kentucky whiskey. The name refers to the angels’ share, the whiskey that evaporates from barrels, and the idea is that the angels will envy what’s left.

It has a smart bottle, a polished image and a price to match. I wanted to see if the whiskey lives up to the pitch.

What it is

Angel’s Envy was founded by Lincoln Henderson, a former Brown-Forman master distiller, with his son Wes and Wes’s friend Kevin. The brand is based in Louisville, Kentucky, and it’s now owned by Bacardi. The bourbon is aged for several years in new charred American oak, then finished for three to six months in ruby port barrels.

It’s bottled at 43.3%, and it has no age statement. The port finish adds sweetness, dried fruit and a smooth texture. It was one of the first bourbons to use a port finish, and it helped start a trend.

In the glass

I tried it neat, on a quiet evening, with a few drops of water. I expected something sweet and smooth, and I got that.

Nose: vanilla and caramel, with dried fruit and a hint of maple. It smells sweet and warm, like maple syrup on a raisin pastry. Nothing sharp.

Palate: smooth and sweet. Caramel and raisin come first, then soft oak and a little spice. The port gives a velvety texture, and the bourbon base keeps it from getting too sweet. It’s very easy to drink, and I liked the roundness.

Finish: medium to long, warm and gently sweet. The raisin and caramel linger. A few drops of water kept it smooth, and ice made it dessert-like.

A second glass

I poured another glass the next night over a large ice cube, and it was lovely. The cold calmed the sweetness, and the dried fruit stood out.

How I would drink it

Neat with a drop of water, or over a big ice cube. It’s good in an Old Fashioned. I’d serve it after dinner, maybe with some dark chocolate.

Against the others

Compared with Maker’s Mark, it’s richer and fruitier. Compared with Woodford Reserve, it’s sweeter and softer. Compared with Four Roses Small Batch, it’s less spicy. It’s among the smoothest bourbons I’ve tried.

Against Jameson, it’s sweeter, richer and a bit fruitier. It’s smooth in a similar way. For a Jameson fan wanting to try bourbon, it’s a great start.

Value

A 70 cl bottle usually costs about £51 in the UK. That’s a bit high, and the quality is there.

Who it is for

It’s for people who like smooth, sweet, fruity bourbon. It’s a great gift. If you want spice or power, other bottles do more.

Sharing it

I poured a glass for a friend who loves port, and he said “that’s like a bourbon in a velvet jacket”. I couldn’t have put it better. He asked for a second glass, and I was glad to have another bottle.

The ice test

Over a big ice cube, it was lovely. The cold calmed the sweetness, and the dried fruit and the maple came through. It’s a bourbon that works very well on ice.

A second look

I tried it in an Old Fashioned the next evening, and it was very nice. The port finish gave the drink a lovely, round, fruity feel. It’s a luxurious cocktail bourbon.

Pairing and serving

A slice of dark chocolate cake and a glass of the bourbon on a big ice cube make a lovely partner, and the port and the maple in the whiskey echo the cake. It’s an indulgent combination.

What the price buys

At about £51 you get a port-finished bourbon that is smooth, sweet and unusual. It is a bit expensive for what it is, but it is a lovely whiskey and a good gift. The port finish adds a distinctive fruit note.

Who should skip it

If you like a classic, oaky bourbon, this will seem sweet and a little strange. The port note is soft but clear, and some people won’t enjoy it. A traditional bourbon drinker should save their money for Eagle Rare.

Last word

Angel’s Envy is a smooth, sweet, fruity bourbon with a lovely port finish. I’d buy it again as a treat, and I’d give it to anyone who likes soft whiskey.

Verdict

Yes. It’s smooth, sweet and well made. I’d buy it again, and I’d happily give it to a friend.