Tasting: 2 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength 2023 Whiskeys (Bourbon, Rye)

We find ourselves deep in the midst of the limited release whiskey season, and although I’ve argued that limited edition bourbon releases in particular have become a farce that is damaging the spirits world, there’s no use in denying that much of the best whiskey of the year does indeed get released in this particular fall-to-Christmas window. In any given year, that includes both well-established brands that see their annual release at this time of year, and newly fashioned brands looking to break through into “must have” status. And wouldn’t you know it: Angel’s Envy seems to have both of those in 2023.

On one hand, they have their always sought-after cask strength bourbon, full name “Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels.” This is the 12th year of the bourbon, and it remains extremely popular. But this year, the sourced bourbon is also joined by the company’s first-ever foray into a limited release cask-strength sourced rye whiskey, full name “Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels.” That may be a mouthful, but it’s also a pretty exciting development for the Louisville-based distiller specializing in finished whiskeys. Especially once you get to taste the stuff. Let me get it right out of the way: This first cask strength Angel’s Envy Rye is a very special whiskey, and Master Distiller Owen Martin (who joined the brand last fall) will no doubt be getting a lot of well-earned respect for it in the near future.

We happen to have press samples of both expressions on hand, so let’s get right into tasting this year’s 2023 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength whiskeys. Both go on sale at U.S. retailers on Dec. 1, 2023, and at the distillery in Louisville … in what will no doubt be an orderly proceeding that in no way will involve people camped outside a day in advance.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon (2023)

MSRP: $230

The company’s cask strength bourbon release for 2023 weighs in at 59.1% ABV (118.2 proof), with an estimated 22,656 bottles available at select retailers in all 50 states. As in the flagship Angel’s Envy Bourbon, this is finished in port casks, with this year being the first release from Owen Martin as Master Distiller. It likewise features a redesigned, “elevated” bottle design, if that’s the sort of thing that matters to you.

On the nose, this cask strength bourbon expression features both juicy fresh fruit and concentrated, cooked fruit notes. It’s vinous in nature, complemented by delicate spice and fragrant cedar, along with nutty cocoa and creme brulee. Slight ethanol sting remains after letting the glass rest for 15 minutes or so. On the palate, this one is notably silky and unctuous in texture, with sweet cherry, brambly fruit dark honey and toffee up front. The heat here is well integrated, with prominent notes of red wine, moderate baking spice–favoring cinnamon and particularly clove–and a finish of tingly black pepper and fruit syrup. The vinous character is really lingering on the aftertaste in a pleasant way, and residual sweetness is moderate, not quite as intense as I was expecting it might be. Modest oak tannin helps to hold everything together. All in all, a nice expression of the Angel’s Envy house style.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (2023)

MSRP: $270

The release of this cask-strength rye whiskey is actually considerably more limited than the bourbon in terms of bottle count, as only 5,500 bottles of the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye will be available for purchase. Nor is this simply a rye whiskey finished in one style of cask–it is instead a blend of two, featuring sourced rye whiskey finished in both Sauternes casks and others finished in two styles of toasted oak barrels (American and French oak). It comes in the same, newly redesigned bottle shape, and weighs in at 57.2% ABV (114.4 proof).

On the nose, this one is deep and complex–I’m getting far away rye bread and hints of caraway, along with pepper and a toasted cocoa/graham cracker note, along with both toasted oak spice and baking spice. I also think I’m getting traces of white grape here, but the nose is subtle and intriguing. After sitting in the glass for quite a while, maple is also coming through in a big way. On the palate, this is sweet and very spicy, with massive rye flavors. I am immediately taken aback: Even with the dual cask finish, it has been a while since I got such a pure flavor of the rye grain as you do here, which is a testament to the quality of the sourced spirit. There is tons of pepper, caraway and citrus, complemented by stone fruit and sweet herbal and floral characteristics. At the same time, you also get the toasted oak in an expressive way, along with significant vanilla/cream soda sweetness. Notably, it drinks shockingly easily for this proof point–truly an iron fist in a velvet glove here.

Okay, now I’m seriously impressed. The inaugural release of this Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye is a blending masterpiece, showing great dexterity from Martin as Master Distiller. He has deftly balanced all of these competing elements into something that becomes a wonderfully spicy, decadent rye whiskey experience. The MSRP is going to be painful, but consider this expression one of the year’s standout rye whiskeys. Find it if you can.

Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident beer and liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing.