Angels Envy Cask Strength (2019)

A little background

Angel’s Envy is known for finishing their bourbon in port wine barrels. Many have become accustomed to their sweet and easy to drink bourbon. That being said, the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon offerings are on a different level. Only a few barrels are selected each year to be part of the lengthy cask strength finishing process. This spirit is almost completely unfiltered. This means that the spirit does not encounter any active charcoal and it’s not chill filtered. The only filtering process consists of an 80-micron stainless steel screen which is used to remove the large chunks of char. This cask strength bourbon will vary each year. The 2019 Angle’s Envy Cask Strength offering was bottled at 122.4 proof and has a MSRP of $199 per bottle.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Amber

Nose

The nose is complex and rich. Dark chocolate, caramel, banana, vanilla and honey notes were present.

Palate

The first sip was rich and complex with a medium-thick viscosity. Heat concentrated on the top of the tongue and in the top back palate. Caramel was most prominent. The second sip concentrated in the mid-palate. Medicinal cherry, leather, and dry chewing tobacco notes were present. The third sip coated the entire mouth. There was a drying effect followed by a Pavlovian response. Notes of oak, vanilla, and honey were most prominent.

Finish

The finish was hot, long, and enveloped the entire palate. Cherry notes gave way to bitter banana. Caramel, oak, cinnamon, and baking spices began to emerge.

In closing

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength is unlike any other spirit you have tasted from this company. This bourbon has a complex nose and palate. The nose was dark and sweet, there was an oily viscosity on the palate, and the finish was fulfilling and long. This bourbon is not for the faint of heart. If bold and complex are in your bourbon wheelhouse, then this is the one for you.