Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (2018 Edition)

I acquired this a short while ago, having mostly avoided bourbon this year, and decided to do a side-by-side comparison with the standard Angel's Envy, which I also hadn't opened yet. I began with both neat, then gradually (one drop at a time) diluted the 124 proof cask strength. The aroma of the standard was brown sugar, woody notes, allspice, and black pepper. After spending considerable time exclusively with scotch, the brown sugar was the most noticeable aspect here, making it almost unpleasantly sweet for me. The aroma of the CS was definitely banana, and I'd go as far as to say banana foster with some cinnamon and cream. The alcohol is very apparent when I dip my nose into the Glencairn. The taste of the standard was cherry syrup, leather, baking spices with a hint of orange at the end, which actually provides this bourbon with a nice balance overall. I would consider the finish to be medium. I really wanted this to leave a lasting impression but that is my only critique. The taste of the CS was a wake-up call but also offered intense sweet flavors of fig, dark brown sugar, and chocolate. The more water I added, the more chocolate came through, but I believe I diminished the appeal somewhere around 15 drops of water, which I consider to be a lot. We'll label this a resilient spirit. Strangely, I couldn't detect any banana on the palate, regardless of the water added. The finish is incredibly long and potent with a woodsy bite but is balanced by that brown sugar. I genuinely enjoyed comparing these side by side and as I sipped, I considered the value. The standard can be found for $50 in my area, while the CS was $180. While I absolutely believe the CS is a more engaging bourbon with the 'choose your own adventure' element depending on how much water you prefer, I don't find the CS to be worth the price. I'd rather allocate my funds elsewhere. I also want to endorse finished spirits. I personally think this is the direction American whiskey must take to distinguish themselves from merely another wheated bourbon. Excellent instances of this are Whistlepig Old World Cask Finish or the Boss Hog series. May Dave Pickerell rest in peace. All in all, these are both very fine drinks, and I readily recommend the standard Angel's Envy, but I only suggest the 2018 Cask Strength to someone who desires a special edition for display. The standard simply offers too much value. Traditional – 4.25/5 Cask Strength – 3.5/5 when factoring in price. If it were $100, it would be right up there with the traditional.

Wow! This is a truly warm, substantial Bourbon. My first sip offered the longest finish I have ever experienced from a bourbon. The high proof will impress you and you will suddenly realize you won't be drinking glasses full of this even if you try to tame it with ice or a bit of water. This is the bourbon to share with your bourbon buddies. It's strong and long on taste. A bourbon for true bourbon lovers. Dark golden cognac color with an abundance of spice. You'll detect warm cola, caramel, raisin tastes, under a sweet honey first impression. When I uncorked to smelled, I first noted honey, so I thought it would be sweeter than it is. I was delighted with all the different flavors and spices calling out to my tongue as I waited through that marathon finish. Ranked the "Best Spirit in the World" in F. Paul Pacult's 2013 Spirit Journal. Angel's Envy cask strength is unlike any bourbon I have ever tasted. Marvelous.Got it for $229.00

Participated in a blind tasting where this was included and was ultimately very let down. The aroma strongly suggested the standard expression, so I knew it was Angel's Envy. This particular bottling was a major disappointment. Despite being smooth for its high proof, it was exceedingly dry and lacked depth. It didn't possess the complexity expected from a limited edition, especially given the price. For a $200 asking price, it should significantly outperform the regular bottling. It ultimately failed to do so. It was nowhere near the complexity anticipated from a limited release; in fact, it was not complex at all. I did add a bit of water after the initial sips, which did help it open up and reveal more caramel notes. Overall, I was quite disappointed and would suggest opting for the standard Angel's Envy instead of this one.

Aroma: plum, banana, honey, burnt wood; with water, dates emerge, along with cherry cola. Palate: plum, cola, floral, caramel, herbal, chocolate, toasted oak, figs, cherry cola with water. Finish: a long, drying finish with notes of dry oak and Coca-Cola. It has a great, distinctive taste and reveals more with a bit of water. The cola notes on the palate and finish are delightful. The delicious banana on the nose is fantastic and unique. My only criticism is the extremely drying effect on the mouth during the finish. While I usually appreciate a dry finish, this one strips away all the flavors from the finish, leaving an unpleasant sensation. Apart from that, it's a solid offering.

Neat. Vanilla and raisins on the nose, with baking spice and chocolate. Cherries are present; there's a lot going on. Creamy mouthfeel with chocolate on the tongue. Significant amounts of vanilla, cherries, cinnamon, and cola. This is incredibly delicious. The legs deliver an overwhelming flavor explosion. That vanilla and cola just persist endlessly. Truly impressed. The price was far too high, but I am not disappointed.

I really like this. I'm a fan of sweeter bourbons and also enjoy the standard Angel's Envy. Picture a wonderfully sweet, yet not overwhelming, bourbon with a creamy, high-impact start. The robust flavors of the original port finish recede to a pleasant bite. The finish is quick but not disappointing.