Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye

Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye is a blended straight rye whiskey from Angel's Envy Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky — the annual limited release of the brand's cask strength rye expression, produced by marrying two rye batches finished by different secondary cask methods. One batch finishes in Sauternes dessert wine barrels for three years; the second transfers into new toasted oak barrels after initial maturation. Blended at natural cask strength, non-chill filtered.

The dual finishing approach creates natural balance between the Sauternes batch's honeyed sweetness and stone fruit, and the toasted oak batch's structure and wood spice. Marrying the two is more precise than a single finishing method and explains why this is a blended straight rye rather than a single barrel or single batch expression. Released annually in limited quantities.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Honeyed rye spice, dried apricot, orange peel, toasted oak, and vanilla from the Sauternes and new oak combination. Palate: Rich and spiced — caramel, stone fruit, rye pepper, and warm toasted wood. Finish: Long with lingering rye spice and sweet wine character.

Specs

• Distillery: Angel's Envy, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Blended Straight Rye Whiskey, Cask Strength
• Finish: Two batches — Sauternes wine barrels (3yr) + new toasted oak
• Release: 2023
• Size: 750ml

Browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Angel's Envy Cask Strength Rye use two different finishing methods?

The two-batch approach solves a blending problem: a rye finished only in Sauternes would be very sweet and fruit-forward; a rye finished only in new toasted oak would be wood-dominant at cask strength. By finishing two separate batches by different methods and marrying them, Angel's Envy creates natural balance. This is a more precise blending tool than a single finishing method would allow.