They say age ain’t nothing but a number. While that may be (somewhat) true in the world of single malt whiskies, bourbon is a different story. We’ve found that age has a dramatic effect on the taste of the American spirit, so much so that bourbons even 9 or 10 years of age can be highly desirable for enthusiasts.
Corn-based whiskeys can’t age nearly as long as single malts, and so some distilleries don’t even bother with age statements at all. For the past 14 years, that was the case with Angel’s Envy — a brand that made its name for popularizing secondary barrel maturation. But now, the Kentucky-based company has thrown its hat in the ring with its first-ever age-statement bourbon.
Good Things Come in Tens
Anyone familiar with Angel’s Envy knows the story. Master distiller Lincoln Henderson — the legend behind Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack — came out of retirement in 2010 alongside his son Wes to create something different. Their idea was simple: take bourbon and finish it in port wine barrels for added complexity. The technique was common in Scotch but virtually unheard of in American whiskey at the time.
The brand was actually supposed to launch in October 2010, but Lincoln delayed it. The whiskey wasn’t ready, and he refused to compromise. That decision transformed “10/10” into more than just a date but the brand’s ethos, stamped on every cork as a reminder that quality trumps timelines. The bourbon finally hit shelves in 2011, and the rest is history.
A Decade Worth the Wait
Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength is the 14th edition of the brand’s annual Cask Strength series, which debuted in 2012 with just 600 bottles. Back then, the line was sourced and blended from other Kentucky distilleries — a practice that continues today despite Angel’s Envy opening its Louisville facility in 2016. This release follows that tradition, featuring bourbon distilled in 2014 and 2015 that spent a cumulative 10 years between new charred oak and port wine barrels.
Master Distiller Owen Martin spent five months dialing in the blend, using a mix of first-fill (56%) and second-fill (44%) port barrels. The extended finishing time (up to three years for some of the whiskey) required the strategic use of second-fill casks to avoid overwhelming the bourbon’s core character. The result is bottled at a super-hot 122.6 proof straight out the cask.
What You’re Getting
On the nose, expect sweet cinnamon toast and creamy fruit nougat layered over candied nuts. The palate opens with baklava before transitioning to ripe apricot, crème brûlée, and cognac, with a subtle kick from grains of paradise. The finish leans hard into that port influence with notes of rum raisin cake, which is a signature move for Angel’s Envy, but amplified by the extended maturation.
Spec Sheet
Name: Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels
Age Statement: 10 Years
ABV: 61.3% ABV
Nose: Sweet cinnamon toast, creamy fruit nougat, candied nuts
Palate: Baklava, ripe apricot, crème brûlée, cognac, grains of paradise
Finish: Rum raisin cake
Limited Edition: 24,480 bottles
Price: $250
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 24,480 bottles, the Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength drops nationwide on October 10. You’ll find it at select retailers and the Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville for $250 per 750ml bottle.
Recap
Angel’s Envy 10 Year Cask Strength Bourbon
Angel’s Envy just released its first-ever age-statement bourbon — a 10-year cask strength expression that’s been finished in port barrels and bottled at 122.6 proof.
