Angel's Envy Announces Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks

Angel's Envy has announced the upcoming release of a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks coming on September 1st. 

This release coincides with the day Angel's Envy filled their first port wine barrel 10 years ago. Angel's Envy Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Wes Henderson says: 

Ten years ago today, my dad Lincoln and I filled our first port barrels with the bourbon that

would eventually become Angel’s Envy. In celebration, we wanted to release something special to honor my dad’s incredible legacy, how far Angel’s Envy has come and our exciting future ahead. We chose this release for the tenth anniversary because my dad, having taken on several consulting roles in Japan during his career, always had a deep appreciation for the country and its distilling community. This release, finished in Mizunara casks made from this rare, 200-year-old wood, felt fitting for such a special milestone for Angel’s Envy.

For this release, only 1200 bottles will be available with early access to Angel's Envy 500 Main Members and marks the first Angel's Envy Founder's Collection. The bourbon is a blend of four-year-old and nine-year-old Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon that is finished in hand-selected, charred, new Japanese Mizunara oak casks for an additional two years. Angel's Envy Mizunara comes in at 97.8 proof (48.9% alcohol) and has an MSRP of $349.99 for a 750mL bottle and is sold in a collectible crystal decanter. It will be available beginning August 19 for 500 Main members and then will be available for purchase at the distillery beginning September 1. It will also be available at select retailers in Kentucky. There will be a one-bottle limit per customer.

Tasting notes:

Sandalwood, banana bread, cherry, ripe apples, vanilla, oak, rich chocolate and banana with a toasty oak finish and a lingering smokiness

My Take

My first thought on this is that I'm excited that Angel's Envy is starting the Founder's Collection to highlight unique and high-end bourbons. The bottle is exquisite and would look amazing in any collection. 

I usually shy away from the expensive releases, but I like that this is the first edition of the Founder's Collection and I really like the bottle. With that said, $350 is a lot of money... especially during a global pandemic that has the unemployment rate above 11%. If you can afford this and are a collector or looking for a beautiful bottle to display, this is a great option. For everyone else (myself included), there are a lot of great bourbons at lower price points to keep us interested... including many from Angel's Envy that I haven't had a chance to try and review. 

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section.

Source: Angel's Envy