Whisky: Angel’s Envy Finished Rye
Producer: Bacardi Ltd.
Distillery: Sourced from Midwest Grain Products (MGP)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Whisky Type: Finished Rye
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Aged in Cask: New Charred American oak and finished for 18 months in rum barrels
Price Range: $$

Angel’s Envy is a brand of whiskey produced by Louisville Distilling Company. It was founded in 2010 by Lincoln Henderson and his son Wes Henderson. Before passing in 2013, Lincoln Henderson was the creator of Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack brands at Brown-Forman, where he served as Master Distiller.

In 2015 Bacardi Ltd. acquired Angel’s Envy, adding another bourbon to its extensive portfolio of liqueurs, vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey brands like Dewar’s Blended Scotch and Teeling Irish Whiskey.

Angel’s Envy launched in 2011 with two bourbons and a rye whiskey. The distillery specializes in whiskies finished in non-traditional barrels, such as Port wine, rum, and Japanese oak. At least initially, Brown Forman provided the bourbon, and MGP provided the rye.

The core range of the brand includes:

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Port wine Barrels.
• Rye Whiskey finished in rum casks.
• Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Port wine barrels.
• Rye Whiskey finished in cider casks.
• Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Japanese Mizunara oak.

Tasting Notes for Angel’s Envy Rye Finished

This expression is a 6–7 Year Old 95% rye and 5% malted barley aged up to 18 months in Caribbean XO Plantation Rum Casks from Barbados that initially held Cognac. Here are the tasting notes:

Nose: Aromas of caramel, cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Palate: Sweet and syrupy arrival of toffee, apples, cinnamon and spices. The sweetness and the rye make the experience very enjoyable. Some might consider this palate too sweet for rye whiskey, but it works for me.

Finish: Medium and warm finish with sweetness from the rum barrels showing up here even more.

Conclusion: Angel’s Envy is not your typical rye whiskey due to the rum barrel finishing, which makes it a sweet and unique expression. Those looking for a sharp rye forward expression should look elsewhere. A perfect option for those with a sweet tooth in the Southeast.

Angel’s Envy won last week’s tasting against pretty good bourbons like Heaven Hill 7 Year Old Bottle in Bond, so try it and let me know your thoughts. Cheers!

Score: 4/5 ⭐

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