Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon (2018)

We review Angel’s Envy Cask 2018 Cask Strength, the higher end, annual version of the popular Angel's Envy bourbon that's extra aged in ex-port barrels.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Angel’s Envy Cask 2018 Cask Strength Bourbon

Tasting Notes

About:

124 proof, port finished bourbon. Angel’s Envy is typically a mash of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley and aged for up to seven years, although these special releases go through an extended finishing process. Estimated price for one of these beauties, around $200.


Appearance:
This year’s release is presented in an intricately carved wooden box with art deco lines reminiscent of The Great Gatsby. The liquid has heavy and deep browns tones that draw you in with just the slightest red hue around its edges.
Nose:
Spiced plum dominates the nose with black fig and sticky molasses following right behind. These strong, somewhat overpowering aromas make fishing out subtleties extremely difficult, but after a few minutes some soft cedar and desert sage peak through.
Palate:
This is cask strength, so without dilution you are hit with a wave of woody spices, apple cider, and saltwater taffy all at once. The alcohol lights up the outside edges of your tongue leaving everything tingling as the sweet but still spicy finish starts to appear. As the warmth travels down your throat a slight bitterness appears to help balance the rich sweetness it started off with.
Finish:
Comments:
Cask strength or not, dilution or not, this is a lot of flavor. While some prefer nuance and subtlety, this whiskey demands center stage and plays every instrument it can as loudly as possible. Thankfully it manages to pull it off and the music, turned up to 11, is pleasing to the ear and sweet to the tongue. rn

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Nathan Gerdes

Nathan, a Certified Spirits Specialist, Sommelier, and USBG Spirits Professional, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the world of whisky. He has also shared his expertise as an Adjunct Professor, teaching courses on Distilled Spirits and Mixology. During his bartending career, Nathan served as President of the Oregon chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild and earned recognition for his creativity and skill by winning multiple national cocktail competitions. Notably, one of his victories led to him being featured on the cover of GQ Magazine as the "Most Imaginative Bartender in America."

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