Shimmers of gold and bronze prance around as light bounces off the whisky’s surface. Tipping it towards the lips, forces a domino of asynchronous waves to flow off the glass straight onto the palate. As the spirit splashes and swirls violently, the fumes force themselves into the nasal cavity. All of which trigger a firing spree, faster than Schwarzenegger’s mini gun; a plethora of neurons emanating signals from all the senses – sight, smell, sound, feel and taste, lighting up the channels to the brain.

It should therefore come as no surprise why the Angels love grabbing their share as the spirit evaporates through the barrel’s wooden staves, quietly maturing in the comforts of its home. A steady “hit” right from day one, all the way until the barrels are popped open, would give them no reason to complain?! But what if they never had the chance to savour the final product – blended, tuned, sniffed, and savoured to the desired preference- pure envy perhaps!?! The joke that got founder and distiller Lincoln Henderson to label his whisky just that – Angel’s Envy!

The Envy is matured in charred American White Oak barrels for around four to six years and then further finished for another six months in Port wine casks that have been imported from Portugal. Port finishing isn’t very common with bourbon distillers and this sense of experimentation introduces layers of spice and possibly sweeter nuances from the wine casks.

ABV : 43.3% ; 750ml

Eye : Chestnut Oloroso Sherry| Natural Colouring

Nose : Caramel, and spiced wood; there’s cinnamon sticks, ginger and pine. Caramelized bananas, custard with a pinch of pepper; vanilla shortcake, milk chocolate, with a bit of smoke in the background.

Taste : Caramel again with marshmallows, rum and raisins, hints of plum, topped with a vanilla drizzle. There’s creme brulee, toasted wood and warm spices – cinnamon with rye.

Finish : Medium | Milk chocolate with raisins, a pleasant soft woodiness topped with vanilla and a warm spice.

The Angel’s Envy is such a rounded, well bodied spirit that has taken well to both the virgin and port casks. Well balanced, with good restraint, every flavour and nuance seems to know their place, with none shadowing the other. The added finishing really is the icing on the cake, the hero, making you pause to relish the  effects on the palate that almost smoothly transitions into a lovely, memorable finish.

At AUD $88, it is a steal with such good depth. A plethora of vanilla, stone and dried fruits interleaved with a whisper of spice, that is both subtle and amicable. It borderlines a near desert like spirit sans the heavy sweetness. I recommend giving this bourbon a buy, smooth and comforting with minimal damage to the wallet and yet very much lip smacking.

Preference : Neat or paired with a spherical rock!