A shot of the 2015 Angel's Envy Cask Strength

For the past few years, Angel's Envy has released their annual limited edition cask strength bourbon.  From the outside, they have been some of the best looking boxed bourbons to date.  As for what's in the bottle, that has been a different story.  With their first release in 2013, they made waves with the introduction of the cask proof expression.  In fact, I believe they helped contributed to the barrel proof and cask proof frenzy that you now see today.  Last year, many reviews were not too kind.  I, on the other hand, felt they still made a great product, but for the price point and rarity, it was hard to swallow.  This year is no different.  The price point is still around $170, but expect to pay closer to $200.  Being released in 16 states and a total of 7,500 bottle, unless your at the store when they place it on the shelve or in the glass case, you wont get one.       

Being fortunate to sample this years juice, I found that didn't disappoint.  At 127.9-proof and 63.95% alcohol by volume, it carried a remarkable rich flavor that tickled your taste buds begging for more.  Sipping the cask neat and with a drop of water didn't change much of the complexity.  I would suggest drinking it per your own preference.  Just don't do anything crazy.

I recommend this years cask strength, if you can nab it.  It carries a hefty price tag but at 127.9, I think you will make this great bottle last a while.       

NOTES -

The color carries a darker tan of amber.
Amazing noise.  Smells of honey sickle, caramel, and vanilla.  
Dry with strong oak and a heavy finish.

Information from the Horses Mouth -

Louisville, Kentucky (November 2015) – Louisville Distilling Company is proud to announce the limited-edition release of the critically acclaimed Angel’s Envy Cask Strength. The expression will be available this November in select markets including: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, NJ, NY, OH, OR, TN, TX, WA. Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the enhanced finishing process, Angel’s Envy will only release 7,500 bottles. Previous releases quickly sold out.

 

Named “best spirit in the world” by Paul Pacult in the June 2013 edition of Spirit Journal, Cask Strength shared top honors with a 25-year-old single malt whisky that sold for nearly twice the price. In his review, Pacult awarded the brand five stars – his highest recommendation – noting, “this masterpiece deserves a sixth rating star.” 

 

As with Angel’s Envy, the super-premium bourbon of uncompromising character and quality, Cask Strength is aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity (up to seven years) in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut. The barrels are then blended into a single batch and finished in hand-selected port casks.

 

“Cask Strength is a rare and remarkably complex bourbon unlike any other you’ve ever tried,” said Wes Henderson, Chief Innovation Officer, Angel’s Envy. “Our fans look forward to it each year and we’re thrilled to make it more widely available.”

   

The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $169.99. A remarkably complex bourbon at 127.9-proof and 63.95% alcohol by volume, Cask Strength is best enjoyed with just a bit of water to release the flavor nuances.   

  

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Tasting Notes

 

Color: Rich Gold with an amber depth 

 

Nose: Heavy caramel with vanilla up front, followed by roasted almonds, orange peel citrus, and faint blueberry 

 

Palate: Pound cake, root beer, candy corn, honey. Then tart strawberries, blackberries, figs, and slight black pepper on the finish. 

 

Finish/feel: Less port forward than previous years, but while the port finish is distinct, the bourbon itself shines through the finish

 

Bottle Signing Events

Angel’s Envy will host exclusive bottle signing events with members of the Henderson family from December 2015 through April 2016 for those that purchase Cask Strength. A promotional code on each bottle shares a URL with more information about the events.

 

Angel’s Envy Distillery

The Angel’s Envy distillery will be located in downtown Louisville, on the corner of Main Street and Jackson, bringing the great tradition of Kentucky bourbon-making back to the city. The new craft distillery and brand experience center will make a great starting point for the Bourbon Trail and be open to the public for guided tours.  Louisville Distilling Company expects the new distillery to be up and running in 2016.

 

About Louisville Distilling Company LLC

Louisville Distilling Company LLC is the proud producer of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The small batch artisan port-finished bourbon, which is hand-blended in small batches of 8-12 barrels and allowed to develop naturally, is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career. The award-winning flagship Expression, which is available across the U.S., earned 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon. The Company also offers Angel’s Envy Rye, which is finished in Caribbean rum casks and Angel’s Envy Cask Strength, which Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the “Best Spirit in the World.” Each Expression exhibits a passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

 

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.

 

For more information, please visit Angle's Envy at the following social media outlets: 

 

www.angelsenvy.com 

 

https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon 

 

twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy) and Instagram.

 

The Mile High Bourbon Club - Review of the Breckenridge Bourbon

With the overly growing demand and popularity of bourbon today, many new distilleries (micro distilleries) are popping up throughout the United States.  As we see these new producers of fine American whiskey, we also see new recipes, and methods of making bourbon. One particular distillery, which is located 9,600 ft above sea level, is the Breckenridge Distillery Company, Breckenridge, CO.  

At first look, the bottle itself is very attractive.  From a marketing standpoint, this is very important because with so many whiskeys on the market today, consumers will sometimes try a new bourbon solely on the looks alone.  There bottle labels the age even though it's below 8 years unlike most companies which do not.   Breckenridge is not afraid of letting their buyers know this.  In fact they stand behind it, knowing that such a young bourbon brings a solid punch. Next, there is a beautiful etching of the Colorado Mountains on the backside of the bottle.  Granted, looks are not everything but it can sway the consumer's decision sometimes on whether or not to buy. 

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey uses a high-rye mash bill, (56% Yellow Corn, 38% Green Rye, 6% un-malted barley) mixed with Rocky Mountain snowmelt in a traditional open-top Scottish fermenter and then distilled using a Vendome copper pot still.  It’s then aged in new American Oak barrels for 2 to 3 years.  For such a young bourbon you would think it would have a high scent of alcohol and little to no flavor.  In this case, you would be wrong.  The bourbon reveals a unique flavor and finish. 

So what makes this bourbon so unique and worth spending upwards to $50 dollars a bottle on a 3 to 4 year old bourbon?  I believe it to be the snowmelt water used to cut the proof.  For me, before there was bourbon there was coffee.  My pallet was refined by good coffee and what made a good coffee.  One of the biggest issues is the use of purified water or exotic water.  Water is the source of life, and the Rocky Mountains have given this bourbon a life of its own.  I fully believe the snowmelt water is what gives it an incredible smooth taste and not the bite that those would think young bourbon would give.   

There are types of bourbon for many bourbons for many occasions and the Breckenridge Bourbon is a not too overly complex or too heavy, but simply a great smooth sipping whiskey.

Awards so far:

Received one of only three gold medals awarded at the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition in the United Kingdom.

First Sip:	Very smooth with Oak of course, Caramel and Vanilla.  The rye helps give it strength with it being cut so thin.
Suggested way to Drink:	I highly recommend drinking this neat.  The key ingredient in this bourbon is the mountain top snowmelt water.  Adding any additional water will completely change the taste and with the ABV only being 45% it does not need to be cut any more.
Price:	Average retail price in retail stores, $40 - $50
Website:	Breckenridge Distillery Company

The Four Barrels Final Rating: 4 out of 5 barrels

You have to be young to be in the mile high club and aged at 2-3 years, Breck bourbon does it right.

Experience the NEAT - Review of the the Ultimate Spirits Glass

What makes a glass an ultimate glass?  Is it the design?  It's purity and omission of lead and other elements removed during it's creation? Or simple a combination of everything. The Neat glass has all these features and takes it a sip further.

To call oneself, "The Ultimate Spirits Glass", you better be able to back it up.  After reviewing the neat glass and learning all about the science behind it from their website, I believe they just might have the right to call themselves the Ultimate Spirits Glass.

The Neat glass sets its self from the rest through design and purpose.  Unlike other glasses, the Neat glass was made with functionality in mind so that one can fully experience the aromas and flavors their choice of drink has to offer.

The two bourbons that were chosen for our review was Angles Envy Rye and the Four Roses OBSV.  Both spirits contain a great deal of flavor and amazing fruity notes from simply just removing the cork.  Once we started using the neat glass, per their instructions, it was like using a magical key that unlocked a door of hidden aromas we had never experienced before in the whiskey.  While sipping, we noticed that the bourbons aromas were more inviting and distinct.  Each ingredient was distinguished from one another.  I would like to make note here that before we used the Neat glass, we read their instructions on how to properly use it.  This is a big deal.  They want the user to understand and learn how to fully utilize the glass and get the most fulfillment from their spirit.  On that note, their information and scientific process would make most peoples head spin, but without it I don't think they would arrive to where they are now.  If you have time and want to learn a great deal of the science behind the neat glass, see their Nosing Science page on their webpage.

The glass it's self is very elegant and appealing.  It fits nicely in ones hand and does not take up a great deal of space.  This is a true sipping glass, made to fully review and enjoy what each type of bourbon has to offer.  Personally, I would not use this as my everyday glass, but one specifically to taste new bourbons and compare among others.

Any bourbon whiskey reviewer, aficionado, or simply one who loves good bourbon, needs to have the Neat glass on their shelve.    

    





Their Web Site:  The Neat Glass

Price per glass:  $19.95 price break as you purchase more

  - Good things come at a price -  Enjoy your bourbon the way it was made to be -