Louisville Distilling announced the limited-edition release of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Finished in Port Wine Barrels.
The expression is now available in select markets: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, and Washington, DC. Each year, Angel’s Envy selects a handful of barrels exceptional enough for the Cask Strength’s lengthy finishing process. Previous releases have all quickly sold out.
Named “best spirit in the world” by F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal in the June 2013 edition, Cask Strength shared top honors with a 25-year-old single malt whisky that sold for nearly twice the price.
In his review, Pacult awarded the brand five stars – his highest recommendation – noting, “this masterpiece deserves a sixth rating star.” The 2015 expression was also awarded five stars by Pacult in the 2016 Spirit Journal.
Angel’s Envy begins as a super-premium whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, aged up to seven years to the perfect level of richness and maturity.
But only a few of those barrels meet the brand’s incredibly high Cask Strength standards. These hand-selected barrels are then blended and receive a lengthier finishing process in Portuguese port wine casks.
Angel’s Envy chief innovation officer Wes Henderson said: “Cask Strength is a rare and remarkably complex bourbon unlike any other you’ve ever tried.
“It’s more than a limited release; it’s a significant whiskey event.”
The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $179.99. Each year, the proof varies based on the barrels selected.
The 2016 release is 124.6-proof or 62.3% ABV, so you might want to consider sipping Cask Strength with a dash of water to release some of the deeper flavor nuances.
