Hannah’s Angel’s Envy Whiskey Review
Batch 70 Z; Bottle #4110
Original review written January 25, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
I’ve been quite excited to try this, but I come away a little disappointed with this slightly bitter offering. I’m hoping my disappointment is limited to this batch and bottle, and that our other purchased bottle will be an improvement. Read my full Angel’s Envy Whiskey Review for Batch 70 Z here! 82/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Angel’s Envy Distillery
– Classification: Special port barrel finish Kentucky Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #3
– Special Finish: Finished in port barrels, then hand-blended in batches of 8-12 barrels at a time*
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 43.3% (96.6 proof)
– Price: $46.95 USD in Idaho
*Visit angelsenvy.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the whiskey neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this whiskey here!
SETTING:
The air is a bitter cold with wind and snowflakes swirling around you as you run to take cover in a snow-dusted, red barn. The color of the structure alone is enough to pressure your legs and feet to a faster and more urgent pace, the promise of warmth and shelter looming ahead.
Photo by James Ahlberg on Unsplash
NOSE:
There is a mix of black pepper, brown sugar, and also barrel char that is the most obvious on the initial inhales. It makes for a spicy feel overall, with leather and the wine/port element keeping the undertones very rich and earthy. The wine/port also adds a subtle bit of sweetness, along with baked blackberries.
Deep inhales flaunt the alcohol, but it’s quite gentle – not to be confused with the aforementioned spiciness and newfound allspice. In the same deep inhales, there’s a nutty flavor that comes forward, like buttered pecans perhaps. Aside from the sweet, yet spicy, barrel char, specific wood is unrecognizable.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: A little watery, but still quite soft. Not the worst I’ve had, but not the best either.
– Balance: It seems a little confused – wanting to be sweet, but it’s also bitter.
– Visual: A hazy/smoky auburn in color, there is a broken crown of droplets and legs, but there are mostly clinging droplets.
– Taste: Wine grapes come forward on the first sip, but there’s a smoky or perhaps dusty rye that reminds me that this is still a whiskey at the end of the day. There are raisins here too, keeping with the grape theme.
The nut from the nose seems to be more like hazelnuts, as there is a bitterness that is coupled with the sweetness of the grapes. I can’t decide whether I like it or not.
There’s maybe a toffee here too, but it’s also on the bitter side, as though something got burned in the cooking process.
Some cherries and rye peek out with a Kentucky chew, but the overall taste still seems slightly bitter in nature. It isn’t awful, or even bad, but knowing that there are less bitter offerings at this same price point is something I can’t help but consider.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. There is no warmth left over, but the aftertaste is quite proficient at lingering.
– Between Sips: A strange bitter (again) flavor, but I also taste a grape-y essence between sips, and it is quite good at persisting for a long time. I taste it the most at the back of my tongue, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot get it to go away. Despite other issues with this whiskey, the aftertaste is where I’m struggling the most… It’s just not great.
– No More: I suppose I can find some wood; however, again, it is indistinct. It’s hazy, but it’s also chewy. This could be the source of the bitterness, so I don’t think it’s oak. As my father suggests in his review of this Angel’s Envy batch, it could be be the port barrel and therefore, potentially not the whiskey barrel. Along with the possible wood, the cherry sneaks out more, which is nice.
The empty Glencairn is very oaky and it is not bitter at all. I would have loved to get those flavors in the palate, but here’s to hoping other batches and bottles prove more enjoyable, and I do sincerely look forward to experimenting more with batches.
WORTH THE PRICE?
I’ll have to take a look at our other bottle’s batch offering; however, at is stands, I’m not sure that this is quite worth the price. Still, this isn’t awful, and I will look forward to seeing what our other bottle offers.
RATING: 82/100
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