Angel's Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks

Oh boy. I just want to be very clear here: I don't like rye and I typically don't like anything finished in rum or wine cask. But this bottle was given to my roommate and I'm never one to turn down a free pour. There's exceptions to the rule but when I saw the description on this bottle, I was immediately weary. Also: the Distiller community really seems to like this bottling so please have mercy on me if my palate immediately rejects this with disgust. Here we go: The nose is sticky sweet and spicy. Cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. There's some underlying vegetal notes from the rye there but you've really got to dig deep to get them under the thick, sweet top layer. Some cut grass and herbaceous mint leaf. The front of the taste is mega sweet and really, I do wish that sweetness lasted the whole taste. Maple syrup, brown sugar and sugary cereal open the taste with an almost cloying sweetness. As the taste transitions to mid-back of taste it dries up with some tannic oak, cinnamon and allspice. And yet becomes spicier towards back of taste. The finish is predominately rye spices, green peppercorn, cinnamon, tannic oak, leather and a tiny hint of cherry cordial more noticeable when breathing through the mouth. This isn't the worst thing I've ever had but it isn't really my cup of tea. A unique tasting experience, without a doubt.

The nose has the spice of a rum with the sweetness from the corn. It is hard to get past the rum finish, honestly not smelling much past it. The taste is almost a honey in sweetness then the spice from the rum barrels washes over your tastebuds into the finish. On the next few sips there is a touch of oak that is then drowned out by the spice. Behind that spice is a solid sweetness. The hug is pretty standard. It does present with the spice from the rum barrels that sticks around. Overall I really enjoy the balance of the spice to the sweetness. I may have a bias with this pour as well. I have drank a few bottles of this and my typical pour is over sphere of ice. The rocks seems to open up and tames the spice out a bit leaning more into the honey from the first sips.

A rich, Rye Whiskey by the Louisville Distilling Co. in Kentucky crafted with a mash bill of 95% rye & 5% malted barley. It is aged for minimum of 6 years in Medium-char American white oak & the finished in Plantation Rum casks; the ones that started as Maison Ferrand Cognac casks; for 18 months before being bottled at 50% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of fruit, grain, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich & full life adds notes of toasted banana bread & vanilla; that led to a long & Maple syrup death with notes of cardamon, mulled wine & oak char. February 2023

Nose: Stewed fruits like apple, peach, and ginger. As it opens up: maple syrup and waffles. A hint of rye and dill at the end. Palate: An initial wave of sweetness, including vanilla and caramel but a back end of pepper and rye Finish: Short as the baking spices linger on I'm not a big rye guy, but I've always appreciated Angel's Envy rye for its fantastic nose. The palate, over time, does resemble a bourbon with its sweeter notes upfront, but the back end reminds you that this is a finished rye—another solid sipper from Angel's Envy.

Smell = Has a great aroma and doesnt burn at all when inhaling. Transitions smoothly when inhaling and exhaling. I aslo got a hint of cheery or dark fruit which is most likely from the carribean rum finish. Taste = Initial taste is great, sweet, smooth, and doesnt burn at all. Definitely can swosh around the palate and taste all the hints effectively. Finish = Finish is great. Burns is in the throat/chest and definitely can taste the fruit kick in here with the after taste.

This will be a very brief review, as I only had just a small sample at a tasting at my grocery store this afternoon... This is some darn good Rye! Very sweet and syrupy. Lots of maple syrup and even some licorice on the palate. I will definitely be buying a bottle of this once my bottle of Pikesville Rye is killed.