Angel's Envy Bourbon

[sku]

This is a new Bourbon apparently set to be launched this fall by Lincoln Henderson. It has a Facebook page with a bottle shot. Anyone know any details such as where it was distilled, etc.?

[bourbonv]

Wes Henderson and some investors are getting ready to open a micro-distillery on Main Street. In the long run, that is where the bourbon will come from. Lincoln Henderson will be the Master Distiller.

Mike Veach

[conecuhridge]

Bourbon Friends,

I am pleased to confirm the rumors about Angel's Envy Bourbon, and before taking any additional detailed information to the public, it is important for me to come before this group and provide some details, as we are prepared to release them...

These are exciting times as Lincoln returns to his Kentucky Bourbon roots. The first expresssion, produced on our behalf, will be available in September for national distribution, but our approach is to take it slow, and let the bourbon speak for itself. And we think it will.

We have narrowed our location to 2 potential sites, and are making final decisions on our distillation equipment. The current plan is to incorporate potstills and continuous distillation into our process, allowing us to maintain an artisanal capability (Dad wants to try a whole bunch of things) and still have the ability to maintain production demands. Production at our facility is expected to begin in September of 2010.

Details are forthcoming, and I look forward to a private advanced tasting with my friends here....

Bottle photos are available on Facebook at Angel's Envy Bourbon. Check it out and become a fan. Will try to post them here, when possible.

Cheers!

Wes Henderson

[Josh]

I'm looking forward to trying it, Wes. It'll be great to have a micro-distillery run by such a whiskey legend. Thanks for the information and please continue to keep us informed!

[craigthom]

Me, too. East Main or Market would be a great place for this, what with the BBC brewery already there and all that arty stuff springing up.

[pepcycle]

The Bourbon Trail needs to exhibit its manifest destiny and head beyond the Golden Triangle, Frankfort, Louisville, Bardstown.

Let's get this distillery over to Lexington or even better, Bourbon County!!!

There might be space to sublet from Toyota in Georgetown.

[nblair]

I just checked out the bottle on Facebook, looks very cool. I hope the distillery opens on Main Street like Mike said. I want 'Whiskey Row' reinstated. Also, with the new UofL arena opening up next year, anything nearby will have thousands of potential customers walking past frequently. Good luck to the Henderson's. I'll definitely pick up a bottle.

[nor02lei]

The first expresssion, produced on our behalf, will be available in September for national distribution, but our approach is to take it slow, and let the bourbon speak for itself. And we think it will.

Wes Henderson

[craigthom]

I think you mean the KFC Yum! Center.

I think real state in that part of West Main is pretty expensive. There may be something further west, like out by the museums, but I think the East Main, even just a few blocks east of the KFC Yum! Center, is a better bet.

I just checked out the bottle on Facebook, looks very cool. I hope the distillery opens on Main Street like Mike said. I want 'Whiskey Row' reinstated. Also, with the new UofL arena opening up next year, anything nearby will have thousands of potential customers walking past frequently. Good luck to the Henderson's. I'll definitely pick up a bottle.

[shoshani]

Ok Wes, what is the source of this product?

Leif

He may not be able to tell us. Sometimes these deals are bound by confidentiality agreements; however, I myself would surmise that the startup juice is probably Brown-Forman distillate from Early Times, distilled and aged before Mr. Henderson retired.

My only reason for speculating thus is because Lincoln Henderson is one of those distillers whose name is associated with a specific product's flavor and style. His name on the bottle almost silently screams the Old Forester mashbill, although the bottle design seems to suggest the lighter Woodford style flavor profile - especially at 90 proof.

Either way, this promises to be an outstanding bourbon. I get the impression that there will be some experimentation in the works, so we may see a whole range of mashbills, bottling proofs, finishes and whatnot.

I'm looking forward to this launch with 'bated breath.

[nor02lei]

He may not be able to tell us. Sometimes these deals are bound by confidentiality agreements; however, I myself would surmise that the startup juice is probably Brown-Forman distillate from Early Times, distilled and aged before Mr. Henderson retired.

My only reason for speculating thus is because Lincoln Henderson is one of those distillers whose name is associated with a specific product's flavor and style. His name on the bottle almost silently screams the Old Forester mashbill, although the bottle design seems to suggest the lighter Woodford style flavor profile - especially at 90 proof.

Either way, this promises to be an outstanding bourbon. I get the impression that there will be some experimentation in the works, so we may see a whole range of mashbills, bottling proofs, finishes and whatnot.

I'm looking forward to this launch with 'bated breath.

[Josh]

Does B-F do a lot of bulk or contract work?

Assuming he's not just buying bulk whiskey and vatting it, I would think that BT's experiemental still would be the prime suspect, his B-F connections notwithstanding.

[OscarV]

Wasn't it mentioned earlier that the first year or so of releases will be what B-F uses as Early Times.

[Josh]

He may not be able to tell us. Sometimes these deals are bound by confidentiality agreements; however, I myself would surmise that the startup juice is probably Brown-Forman distillate from Early Times, distilled and aged before Mr. Henderson retired.

My only reason for speculating thus is because Lincoln Henderson is one of those distillers whose name is associated with a specific product's flavor and style. His name on the bottle almost silently screams the Old Forester mashbill, although the bottle design seems to suggest the lighter Woodford style flavor profile - especially at 90 proof.

That was Shoshani's theory, O.

[OscarV]

There are 3 possible places that it could have been distilled, Louisvillle, Versailles or Lynchburg, neither site does much for me.

Has the age of this bourbon been reported?

[nblair]

John Hansell posted a blurb about Angel's Envy on his blog as well. Apparently they are going to finish SOME of the first expression in sherry and port casks.

I'm excited for the release. Especially because Wes says, "You will note that we have framed our release as the “First Expression” of Angel’s Envy. This is a very deliberate phrase we have chosen to put everyone on notice that we intend to exercise artistic license with this brand, within reasonable parameters. We believe that the true bourbon lover is able to embrace the nuances between “Expressions”, and believe that it is not necessary to shell out $80.00 a bottle for special releases, when we can do these things within the confines of our core brand."

Should be interesting.

[shoshani]

That was Shoshani's theory, O.

[bourbonv]

Lincoln announced at the ADI meeting that Brown-Forman announced that as of that day he is no longer "Distiller Emeritus" at Woodford Reserve. I can assure you that Brown-Forman did not know anything about his plans until they read about them in the paper. I know where the first whiskey came from but will not say because it was told in good faith I would not repeat it, but the point is it is whiskey Lincoln and Wes think is very good. I have confidence in Lincoln's taste in whiskey and that it will be good whiskey. I also suspect and actually hope, that the next expression comes from a different source altogether. I hope "Angel's Envy" touches on a lot of different flavor profiles before they get their own product in the bottle.

Mike Veach

[conecuhridge]

Mike is on the right track...entirely....

[kickert]

According to the Angel's Envy website, this product is set to be released April 2011.

From what I have read, I don't think this will be an everyday pour, but I sure am excited to give it a try.

I hear there is a well produced video out there of an interview with Wes Henderson. Thought you all might find it interesting:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/21217573

[conecuhridge]

Friends,

Thought I would take a minute to bring up to speed on Angel's Envy...

We are set to hit the shelves in Kentucky by April 1st, followed the next week by Texas, Illinois and PA, depending on how many cases we can bottle per day.

This past week has been a real challenge as we are doing the final blends for bottling. We have opted not to chill filter in order to maintain as much integrity of the raw product as possible. Dad and I have been going back and forth (sometimes enthusiastically) about the small amount of carbon treatment we are using to prevent chill flock. In my test samples (my freezer is filled with them), I have yet to get any flock of our samples proof at 86.6, so I am an avocate of no carbon treatment. On the other hand, Lincoln insists that we do a small amount....so you can guess what we have done per the expert.

On the most recent blend, we used 2.5 oz of activated carbon per 100 proof gallons. We experienced a small loss of color, but the taste remained superior. The marketer in me says the darker the better, so Dad and I have compromised with 1 oz activated carbon per 100 proof gallons, which is very light treatment (Woodford uses 6 oz, I believe). At the end of the day, it is what it is, and we have something really cool no matter where we end up.

Will update more this next week as we blend and bottle, and will answer questions when I have time.

Cheers to all, and thanks for your kind support and encouragement.

Wes

[kickert]

Wes,

I can't express enough just how refreshing it is to read your comments here. It is great to see someone in the industry be so open about the intricate details that go into making sure the final product is the best it can be. Even when producers are open and honest, you very rarely hear them admit there was any discussion about how things could be done. Having gone through this process several times before, I know just how much time and thought goes into even the smallest details.

It is obvious this is a labor of love for you all, and I look forward to trying something I know you have put your heart and soul into. I wish you all the luck!

-bk

[TomH]

I would worry about the April 1 date being an April Fool joke, but since I'm going to get mine from Illinois I'm going to have to wait a few more days so it wouldn't matter.

I've been waiting for this release ever since tasting your product at NYC WhiskyFest. As a fan of finished scotches, it was great to taste bourbon that had a well integrated finish. Hopefully it will be at Binny's by WhiskyFest so I can finally get my hands on it.

Tom

[conecuhridge]

We have a launch event with Binny's on 4/13, so we will be in the stores by then.

Hope to see you at Whiskeyfest!

[fricky]

I am ecstatic that it will be available in Pennsylvania. I am also amazed. The PALCB is not known for getting and stocking good bourbon. I look forward to tasting it.