Three years ago I was sitting with a group of cigar smokers from Montana after hours in a cigar shop. The gentlemen were in town for an event and they asked if they could stay after hours and just have a good time with cigars and libations. They ran to the local liquor store as the shop didn’t have a bar. One of the bottles they came back with was Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks.
I am not a huge fan of finished liquors. If you read my website on a regular basis you will see I still review them but absolutely abhor them. As to why, well I will touch on that at the end of this review.
Rye Review: Angel’s Envy Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks
Batch: 15x
Bottle: 2293
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Age: Up to 6 Years (Secondary Aging in Rum Casks up to 18 months)
Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Barley
Distilled By: MGP (Indiana)
Bottled by: Louisville Spirits Group
Location: Louisville, KY (USA)
The Nose: A smoky sweetness rises from the glass as it just sits on the table at arms reach. Lifting the glass upwards reveals maple drenched French toast and cinnamon stix. There is a cookie like sweetness as well with a touch of molasses making this a very sweet nose.
The Taste: Taking the first sip of Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks notes of molasses and gingerbread on the front side of the sip while the backside sees a slight hint of rye show up on the finish. Additional sips reveal notes of orange citrus, banana and mango giving it a very Caribbean vibe which is to be expected. As we take or last sip from the glass notes of maple shine.
Conclusion: Three years ago I was recently removed from being a rum drinker. I would bounce back and forth between Flor de Cana, Zafra and Zacapa bottles. So needless to say three years ago I remember Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks being less smokey and a bit less sweeter then it currently is. Batches change and this is my issue with barrel finishing as it is more difficult to control the imported flavors than the blended flavors. Was this barrel more wet than the one I had years ago? Was this bottle closer to the bottom of the barrel? Did they change the type of rum used? Every batch will change but the base will remain the same. Despite all of this, this is my favorite finished libation on the market but the price prevents it from being a regular purchase. I should note it was considerably better 3 years ago, and ill be curious to try a new batch when it becomes available.
Score: 92
Price: $99.99 (750 ml in New Hampshire)
