Louisville-based craft whiskey distiller Angel’s Envy is rolling out Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels to the UK on-trade.
Bottled at 43.3% ABV, the bourbon is blended in small batches of eight to twelve barrels at a time and aged for up to six years, then finished in 60-gallon ruby port wine casks made from French oak and imported directly from Portugal for three to six months.
The expression offers “notes of subtle vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup, toasted nuts and bitter chocolate.”
The company says UK distribution will begin in select on-premise accounts in London with a limited number of cases, but there are future plans to expand in the market.
Wes Henderson, Angel’s Envy co-founder and chief innovation officer, said: “When starting Angel’s Envy, my father and I were deeply inspired by the world of scotch and its rich history of secondary finishing.
“As we tasted our bourbon, it became clear just how much the process enhances the whiskey with a subtle sweetness and complex flavours.
“By applying this familiar technique to our bourbon, we’ve been able to create a product that has already gained popularity with fans in the UK, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with an even wider audience this year.”
Jay Needham, Angel’s Envy marketing director, added: “In a market such as London, where the cocktail scene is rapidly growing and constantly evolving, complexity and nuance of flavor in spirits is more important than ever.
“As a finished, craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Angel’s Envy is an innovative product with a taste profile different from anything else on the market, and we’re excited to share it with consumers in the UK and elsewhere outside the US.”
