While their tremendous Angel’s Envy Bourbon is finished in Port Wine casks, legendary Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson decided that a rum finish would provide the perfect complement to Angel’s Envy’s exceptional rye. He chose Caribbean rum barrels that had previously been used to age French cognac, resulting in Angels Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks, a rare and immensely complex, but incredibly drinkable whiskey.
“We considered finishing a spirit in rum casks for some time and ultimately felt that the spiciness of a well-rounded rye provided the best pairing,” said Henderson. “We sourced and sampled more than 100 different rums, before unanimously choosing one with extraordinary richness that perfectly marries with our rye whiskey.”
With its high rye content (95 percent, well above the required 51 percent) Angel’s Envy spends up to 18 months finishing in Caribbean rum casks, resulting in an immensely complex whiskey. The mingling of the raw, spicy, earthy rye with the mellow sweetness of rum creates an impeccably smooth, drinkable whiskey, even at 100 proof.
Angel’s Envy Rum Cask Rye exhibits a rich, reddish amber color with a crystal clarity. Take a waft of the bottle. After pouring, swirl a bit more so you can further appreciate its aromas of citrus, caramel candy, maple sugar, vanilla, oak, hazelnut, and spice. Its palate fills with flavors of sherried wood, soft oak, and rum sweetness. The finish is sweet and dry with a gentle fade.
Angel’s Envy Rye is indeed a small batch product with a huge flavor profile. Due to the scarcity of the special barrels and the intricacies involved in the finishing process, they issue only a small, limited release twice a year.
Because of the special barreling attention and maturation, sometimes the availability of Angel’s Envy Rye can be scant. Wyatt’s Wet Goods stocks a vast whiskey and spirit section for discerning drinkers.