Angel’s Envy “K&L Exclusive” Cask #230367 Private Select Port Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon
($89.99)
K&L Notes: A true gem from the Angel’s Envy single-barrel program. The brand that brought cask-finished bourbon into the mainstream continues to bottle stellar Kentucky Straight Bourbon with that added kick of quality port wine barrels. For years, the only high-proof offering from the brand was the meager handful of cask-strength bottles we received each year, which sold for hundreds of dollars and were virtually unobtainable. Now we can lock in a full barrel at 55% ABV (the same proof as the highly sought-after Russell’s single barrels) and just a couple of points shy of full cask strength. As with any of our exclusive single barrels, we’re highly picky in choosing our casks, but with finished barrels our standards are arguably even higher, as it’s so easy to mess up the process. This one is the cream of the crop. We passed on multiple rounds of very good casks to find this one that is an absolute 10/10. The perfect combination of sweet corn, rich and spicy toasted oak, and that pop of clean red fruit provided by a high-quality port barrel. Straight out of the bottle, it noses like a classic Manhattan from a top-notch cocktail bar but with the added power of a neat pour of high-ABV Kentucky bourbon.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: September 06, 2023
Caramel in color with a slight tinge of garnet, this particular barrel is beautiful before you even open the bottle. Pour it into your glass and you’re greeted by a wide array of candied corn, toasted caramels, Madagascar vanilla, fleshy ripe plums, sweet dark cherries, charred oak, and a mélange of spice ranging from Tellicherry black pepper to Ceylon cinnamon and warm East Indian nutmeg. The high ABV delivers tons of power and intensity in aroma and flavor, but paradoxically, nearly no burn on the palate. In a blind proof trial, you’d be hard pressed to place this accurately, a testament to the amount of stuffing this particular barrel of bourbon carries. The finish is long, and the red-fruited sweetness from the port barrel lingers forever. Going back to nose your empty glass, you might forget whether you poured yourself a bourbon or a glass of Carpano Antica. It pays to be choosy—we had to cycle through several rounds of barrels to find just the right fit for the store, but in the end, this barrel was the perfect blend of Angel’s Envy’s sweet and easy-going profile and the intensity we want in our K&L exclusive casks.
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K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
