Angel's Envy was created by Lincoln Henderson — a master distiller who spent decades at Brown-Forman making Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel's before coming out of retirement to launch his own brand. The concept is simple but, at the time of its 2011 release, was unusual for bourbon: take a well-made four-to-six-year-old bourbon and finish it in ruby port wine casks from Portugal. The port finishing adds a fruity sweetness and complexity that the bourbon alone does not possess.
The port influence is assertive — dark fruit and wine notes are present from nose to finish, and for bourbon purists, this will be a step too far. The underlying bourbon, however, is well-made, with enough vanilla and oak character to maintain its identity beneath the port finishing. At 43.3%, it drinks smoothly and without aggression, making it one of the more approachable finished bourbons on the market.
Angel's Envy occupies a divisive position — too wine-influenced for traditional bourbon drinkers, too bourbony for wine enthusiasts, and yet popular enough to have become one of the most commercially successful craft bourbons in America. It is a whiskey that succeeds by creating its own category rather than competing within an established one. For drinkers open to the idea of bourbon with a port-wine twist, Angel's Envy delivers a unique and pleasant experience. For those who prefer their bourbon unadorned, the port will feel like an intrusion.
