Angel’s Envy tweaks cask-strength Bourbon

The 2024 release of Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon uses two types of Port casks, a departure from previous versions.

The 13th edition of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength offers a new spin on the annual release. Instead of finishing solely in ruby Port casks, as is done for the brand's flagship Bourbon, master distiller Owen Martin used a combination of ruby and tawny Port. Martin joined Angel’s Envy in September 2022, and the 2024 Cask Strength furthers his mission of maintaining the brand’s core DNA while introducing innovations that ‘feel natural’. "I’m excited to continue evolving what fans can expect from the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength programme in new yet familiar ways," Martin said. “This year’s Cask Strength Bourbon not only honours the familiar flavours our fans love but also adds another layer of complexity with the tawny finish. It’s a great example of our vision for innovation, staying true to our roots while striving to provide a fresh perspective on our cherished whiskeys and American whiskey overall.” The whiskey is bottled at 59.4% ABV and priced at US$230. There will be 23,196 bottles available across the US from December. Bottles will also be available at the Angel’s Envy distillery in downtown Louisville starting 21 November at 9am EST, where Martin will be signing them on-site. On the nose, the Bourbon offers notes of brown sugar and butterscotch that give way to stone fruit, pear, and spice. The palate brings crisp apple crumble with buttery pie crust, and darker notes of chocolate, oak, and cinnamon honey. Martin used a solera method when blending, a first for Angel’s Envy. The 2024 edition of Cask Strength Bourbon caps off a productive year for Martin, who, in June, introduced the brand’s first non-finished whiskey with a Bottled in Bond Bourbon, released in 375ml bottles as a distillery exclusive. He followed that with Triple Oak, the first addition to the Angel’s Envy core lineup in more than a decade. That whiskey was released in September and is finished in a combination of Hungarian, Chinquapin and French oak. “2024 was the year of rubber hitting the road,” Martin told The Spirits Business. “We were able to show off a bit with new innovations across release volumes, price points, and production techniques. From our first-ever releases of unfinished and oak-finished whiskeys to evolving the blending of our wine finishes, this year represented Angel’s Envy’s step – or leap – into this next era. Next year, we look forward to maintaining that momentum, building on this year, and doing it all over again.”