Review #: 423
Description: Angel’s Envy Single Barrel: Total Wine Louisville, KY
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: This is a single barrel selection of Angel’s Envy. Still finished in port barrels, the single barrel program opens up a range of finishing influence as well as proofs. I’m not sure if these are necessarily cask strength, but they are certainly a high proof with minimal dilution. These carry a premium though, around $100 a bottle, but still significantly cheaper than the cask strength releases they put out. Still little information posted on the ages though. This one was selected in 2021 by Total Wine in Louisville and appears they have a barrel pretty available in the store. Let’s see if it is an improvement on the base product.
Distillery – Undisclosed
Bottler – Angel’s Envy
Brand – Angel’s Envy
Selection – N/A
ABV – 52.85%
Age – NAS
Nose – A bit richer and darker fruit than the standard bottle; stewed plums, sweet apple, espresso, oak is rich and well integrated. Seems a bit stronger on the influence but seems better integrated.
Taste – Fruit syrup, butterscotch, milk chocolate, caramel. Sweet, fruity, and very rich and coating in the mouth
Finish – A bit oaky and toasty, light fruit is a bit overshadowed by some heat, but it is certainly less hot and harsh than the standard bottle. More of a light tingle that keeps fruit on the tongue though
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? Not upset with one, and if this is representative of a Total Wine selection, then I would be inclined to purchase one from a group/retailer I trust more
Thoughts: Certainly AE with the similarities, but better in almost every way. Even with more port influence and sweetness, it still seems better integrated. I don’t think it’s overly sweet and far better composed. Still a bit on the high end of price, but it seems that there are some real nice barrels in their inventory.