Review of the Angel's Envy Distillery Tour - Heaven on Earth

 The most recent edition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is the newly opened Angel's Envy Distillery, located in downtown Louisville Kentucky.

 A vision of the late Lincoln Henderson, the Angel’s Envy Distillery was to be the location for his collaborative work alongside his son - post-retirement as Brown-Foreman’s Master Distiller.  A few years after his passing, his son Wes kept the vision alive.  With the help of Kevin Curtis, the Distillery’s Operations Manager and close friend of the Henderson family, the vision has now become a reality.

 

As you tour the facility, visitors get to experience both the traditional process of whiskey making as well as state-of-the-art technology all wrapped into one. And even though the distillery is one of the newest to open their doors to the public, Angles Envy is still able to keep the Kentucky bourbon heritage sacred through the legacy of Lincoln's vision and his impact in the industry.

 

 Tours begin in the beautiful visitor’s center stocked with plenty of their namesake bourbon and rum cask finished rye.  Visitors see the distillation process from the beginning to the end including stops at the fermenting tank, the bottling warehouse, and areas where they go into greater detail about the unique process of aging Angel’s Envy in used port barrels.  We had an excellent tour guide who let us in on a few secrets.  They will soon be kicking off their barrel selection process and visitors will also be able to fill their own bottles without even doing the full tour (will it be at barrel proof???).  They finish the tour at the beautiful distillery bar where you get to sample the products fruit of the distillery’s labor.  Currently, the tour offers only bourbon but they initiate the tasting using chocolate to highlight the notes in the whisky.

 

I don’t want to share too much because just like all the distilleries, I highly encourage everyone to visit, experience and enjoy the unique features and characteristics each one has to offer.  

This is a great addition to the trail. I can see this distillery maturing and getting better and better.  It is just blocks away from other great whisky attractions and spots for lunch.  Definitely worth a visit.

Located at 500 E. Main St. Louisville, Kentucky 40

202

Tours take around one hour and cost $15.00 per person.  10 spots maximum per tour

Limited to a number of visitors a day for touring, it's well worth the wait to get in.  Just be sure to book a reservation through their website before arriving at the doorstep.   

Tours are by reservation only, which can be booked through their website or through the link below.

             https://store.angelsenvy.com/?_ga=1.257768584.201643316.1479759382

Visitor Center, Tours & Gift Shop Hours

Tours are held on the hour with the last tour starting at 4 pm

Monday | 10-5
Tuesday | 10-5*
*No Distillery tours on Tuesdays
Wednesday | 10-5
Thursday | 10-5
Friday | 10-5
Saturday | 10-5
Sunday | 1-5

NOTE** This is a working distillery so no high-heels ladies or open-toes shoes.  

                            They are making delicious whiskey for us to enjoy!

News Release - Angel's Envy Opens Doors to Their Full Production Distillery

ANGEL'S ENVY™ PUBLICLY UNVEILS FIRST

FULL-PRODUCTION DISTILLERY AND VISITOR CENTER

IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Reservations for Guided Tours Now Being Accepted Online

 

Louisville, Kentucky (November 16, 2016) - Angel's Envy™, the super-premium Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, will officially open its new distillery and visitor center to the public for guided tours beginning Saturday, November 19. Online reservations, which are required, are now being accepted at www.angelsenvy.com. Admission is $15 per person and includes a tasting.

 

Located at 500 E. Main Street at Jackson, (the former Vermont American and Baer Fabrics Warehouse), the new state-of-the-art facility is the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. Having completed a $27 million renovation since breaking ground in 2013, the brand home center houses the Angel’s Envy distillery operations (including everything from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site), as well as a visitor center and gift shop. From the exterior walls to the vaulted ceilings and arched windows, their architects worked diligently to preserve every possible feature of the original building. Their breathtaking, one-of-a-kind 35-foot-tall column still, pot still and doubler were sourced locally from Vendome Copper & Brass Works—just four blocks away. 

 

The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson's storied career. Each of the brand’s three current expressions (flagship Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Port Wine Barrels, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks), exhibit his passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms by producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

 

“Opening the Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor’s center in downtown Louisville was a dream Dad (Lincoln Henderson) and I had,” said Wes Henderson, Co-founder/Chief Innovation Officer, Louisville Distilling Company. “He would be so proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. My sons and I proudly carry on his legacy. The distillery is a must-see experience.”

“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy chose downtown Louisville for its new distillery and visitor center,” said Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer. “It is evident that Angel’s Envy is not only committed to quality craftsmanship, but also the greater Louisville community.”

The Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor center will be open for tours every Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm, and every Sunday, from 1:00 – 5:00pm. Tours will not be available on Tuesdays.

 

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

 

The ANGEL’S ENVY™ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

 

Angel’s Envy™ is a proud member of the Kentucky Distiller’s Association (KDA)

 

Angel’s Envy™ 2016. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

One on One with Kentucky Artisan Distillery and Whiskey Row Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Artisan Distillers is a small but growing distillery East of Louisville in Crestwood, Kentucky.  Many bourbon heads may know them as the home of Jefferson's Reserve but they also boast a quite tasty offering under the Whiskey Row label.  I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeremy Dever, the Facility Director at Kentucky Artisan to discuss the background, philosophy and future of the spirit.

Four Barrels: First tell us about the bottle.

JD: The label presents a picture of Main Street Louisville around the year 1864.  We are shooting for a nostalgic feel around the times when bourbon started flowing down the Ohio River.

FB: and the story?
JD: Keeping in line with others who are looking back at the heritage of the Kentucky native spirit, the thinking around this bourbon is to show its origins and how it used to be made.  Ships used to travel down the Ohio River and at each stop, additional distillate would be combined with the previous stop.  Eventually, the trip down to Louisiana would allow these whiskeys time to mingle and create a unique product.

FB: Talk about how this bourbon is produced.

JD: The most recent edition of batch 4 is purposely different from each of the previous 3.  This edition is a blend of 3-5 whiskeys sourced from Kentucky distilleries.  Each of those within the blend are 4-7 years old.  This is a 4 grain whiskey - predominantly wheat.

We blend, chill filter and bottle on site in Crestwood.  Each batch is different and is based on a flavor profile sought by owner and Master Blender Steve Thompson (former Brown Foreman Executive).  Each batch is limited to approximately 12-15 barrels and will be differentiated by the color of the bottle neck.  Batch 4 is red.

FB reaction:
The nose is brief but the initial flavor makes up for it.  I found lots of oak, accented by flavors of banana and white chocolate.

This is certainly sipping bourbon.  There is a significant amount of spice on the palate - even though the dominant grain is wheat.  You can taste the age and feel the impact of the wood.
The finish seems about right.  Not at all brief and certainly does not linger on the tongue.
I am certainly glad to see distilleries such as Kentucky Artisan in the Bluegrass.  On a recent trip to the distillery, I was given a tour along with hints about the future of the brand.  They offer multiple samples at the end including a few Jefferson's products.  Definitely worth checking out yourself.

Website:  Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Jeffersons Bourbon 

Toast The Trees with Angles Envy during National Bourbon Heritage Month

ANGEL'S ENVY™ READIES TO “TOAST THE TREES”

DURING NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH

World’s Highest-Rated Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels

Will Plant a White Oak Tree for Every Picture Posted

This September with the Hashtag #AE4THETREES


Louisville, Kentucky (September 1, 2016) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy super-premium bourbon, will once again Toast the Trees this September in celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month, in an effort to ensure that there are always enough American white oak trees for future generations of whiskey lovers.

Angel’s Envy is proud to continue its partnership with The Arbor Day Foundation—now in its third year. Angel’s Envy will plant a white oak tree for every Angel’s Envy drink that its fans share this September—neat, on-the-rocks or in a cocktail. To plant your tree, simply snap a picture of your drink and share it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #AE4THETREES, and Angel’s Envy will work with The Arbor Day Foundation to ensure that a tree is planted. Additional opportunities will be available through the Angel’s Envy newsletter as well, which can be joined through its website at www.angelsenvy.com.  

This year’s program builds on the successful social media initiative last year which culminated in the planting of 4,000 white oak trees to help restore the original composition of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Laurel County, Kentucky, and to make the site more productive for wildlife. 

“The ‘trees’ initiative is a great way to engage our consumers and fans in a fun and meaningful way via social media,” said James Kempland, Marketing Director, Angel’s Envy. “Toast the Trees helps us to preserve the future of bourbon through planning and sustainability.”

About Angel’s Envy  

The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson's storied career. One of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the U.S., Lincoln came out of retirement to create the world's finest bourbon on his own terms - with a simple desire to enjoy the art of making whiskey. In addition to the flagship bourbon port cask finish, the Company offers Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye. Each Expression exhibits a passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

-       Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels, distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port wine barrels for an incremental 3-6 months.  Now available across the U.S., the expression earned a 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon – and five stars (highest recommendation) from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

-       Cask Strength, aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut (and are available each year) and then finished in port wine barrels for up to 18 months. The inaugural releases sold out in weeks. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the Cask Strength “Best Spirit in the World,” giving it five stars and noting it “deserves a sixth rating star.”  Available in select U.S. markets for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $179. 

-       Rye Finished in Rum Barrels, made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for as much as six years in new American, charred oak barrels and finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. Both The Tasting Panel and Wine Enthusiast magazines awarded Rye with 94/100 points. Available in select U.S. markets for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $79.99. 

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

The ANGEL’S ENVY™ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Angel’s Envy™ 2016. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly. 

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners. The impact we make on our world is accomplished through our conservation and education programs.

Review of the Highspire Whiskey - Made with Pure Rye

If you are like me, you love a good rye and recent additions to the market have not failed to impress.  From the 110 proof Pikesville from Heaven Hill to the various offerings from Smooth Ambler, there are numerous products on the market to satisfy your taste and price point.  In order to fulfill demand for rye, we are now seeing a multitude of “young” whiskeys on the market.  Initially, I was scared to drop good money on the Willet 2 year product but I am sure glad I did.  I have to say the mellowness and flavor coming out of that bottle is truly impressive.  The Willet 3 year rye has not disappointed either.  In the spirit of appreciation for these under-aged products, we submit this review of Highspire 6 month Rye.  

Coming out of Kentucky Artisan Distilleries in Crestwood, KY, Highspire comes in at 80 proof after being finished in wine barrels from Austin Hope Winery in California for 4 months.  The attractive bottle comes sealed with blue wax.  I must say that once I poured myself a shot, I certainly did not expect as must color to have been extracted from the barrel in the brief time it spent while at-rest.  It had a nice brown hue.  Not nearly as red hued as your typical sipper but still appealing.  Similar to its more-aged brethren, this 100% rye whiskey was extremely floral but with a sharper nose often refined by 4+ years of aging.    

The flavor was immediate.  Reminiscent of a flavor-forward reposado tequila, this whiskey covered the palate with floral and red berry notes.  Due to its youth, the sharp flavor did not evolve or develop throughout the tasting.  It is not overly complex but it definitely suggests that this juice will soon develop into something more refined and flavorful down the line. 

I rarely mix my whiskey but I wanted to see how this rye would interact in a cocktail.  I muddled my first peach of the season, some mint, lime and a bit of sorghum in a mug, poured some Highspire and let it mingle for a few minutes.  I shook the mix with ice and strained into a new iced highball and topped with a splash of soda.  It turned out to be a pretty good cocktail.  The complexity of the sorghum countered the youth of the rye.  The juicy peach complemented the fruit forward notes and the herbal flavor of the mint softened the sharpness of the spirit.

At this level of aging, Highspire is better served within a cocktail to complement its flavor profile.  There certainly are some things to be excited about if this label continues to provide ryes with a bit more age.  Coming in at a price point of approximately $45, they are churning out a decent product now but should soon develop into something special. 

Check out their website - http://www.highspirewhiskey.com/ 

Other sites to visit for additional info -  http://whiskeyrow.com/