Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 Review | Rich Fruit, Tart Citrus & Long Lingering Spice

Angel’s Envy
Cask Strength Bourbon 2026
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Ruby Port Wine Barrels
Limited Release | Cask Strength
117.8 Proof
SRP: $249.99
Review

Please enjoy my Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 Review!

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon has become one of the brand’s most anticipated annual limited releases, offering a higher proof version of its port-finished bourbon with additional depth and richness from extended maturation in Ruby Port wine barrels. The 2026 release arrives alongside the debut of Angel’s Envy’s first age-stated cask strength rye whiskey, although for this review we are focusing solely on the bourbon.

The 2026 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon was crafted using the brand’s Solera-inspired process, in which a portion of prior releases is carried forward into future batches. This release blends Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey distilled between 2014 and 2019 before being double matured for up to 3 years and 3 months in hand-selected Ruby Port wine barrels. Bottled at 117.8 proof, the bourbon incorporates portions of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Cask Strength releases along with newly added bourbon.

Details – Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 Review

• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Ruby Port Wine Barrels
• Proof: 117.8 Proof
• ABV: 58.9% ABV
• Production Style: Solera-inspired process in which each release builds upon previous releases
• Maturation: “Double matured” (finished) in Ruby Port wine barrels
• Finishing Time: Up to 3 years, 3 months (varying maximum finishing lengths are given between the press release and website 3 years – 3.5 years)
• Total Aging Time: 6 years, 11 months to 12 years, 3 months
• Blend Composition: 8% from 2023 release, 20% from 2024 release, 9% from 2025 release, and 63% new bourbon
• Barrel Selection: Approximately 120 barrels selected annually, with a portion reserved for future releases
• Availability: 20,640 bottles released across the U.S. and 1,446 bottles internationally
• Packaging: Ruby and gold presentation box inspired by the art deco architecture of Angel’s Envy’s Louisville distillery
• SRP: $249.99

Tasting Notes – Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Mildly sweet caramel, honey and cherries; dark plums in the background; hints of milk chocolate and raisins; tangerines; full and rich; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Tangy tart cherries, orange peel, sweet caramel; black cherries and port notes later on; slight “dusty” note
👉🏻 Finish: Hints of sweet cherry candy; increasing tart orange citrus and black pepper; lingering sweet caramel; light char with lingering spice in the end, along with warm port notes and a touch of dry wood in the back of my throat; fairly long; deep warmth

Rich Fruit and Port Notes with Balanced Sweetness and Citrus

The nose of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 is mildly sweet with caramel and honey as well as plenty of fruit including cherries, with dark plums in the background and tangerines as well. I get intermittent hints of raisins and milk chocolate, but when I concentrate on them too much, they seem to disappear.

The palate is a mix of tangy tart cherries with tart orange peel and mildly sweet caramel. Later on, there are black cherries and port notes as well. After a few sips, I also notice a touch of a “dusty” character. Hints of sweet cherry candy continue into the finish, but there is increasing tart orange citrus and black pepper which build to a moderate degree and last until the end. There is also a mild coating of sweet caramel layering on my tongue. The finish is fairly long with a pleasant warmth, leaving mild char, lingering port notes, and a touch of dry wood on the back of my tongue and throat.

A Complex & Enjoyable Port Finished Bourbon

Overall, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 is a complex bourbon with ample and varied fruit notes, including stone fruits, presumably largely provided by the port casks. The fruit notes combine nicely with honey, caramel, and mild barrel notes contributed by the mature bourbons. The change in character to a fairly spicy and tart finish brings a nice touch to a very enjoyable pour. While the port finish is not at all overbearing, the flavors are definitely there, as would be expected after 3+ years of finishing time. If you are a fan of the notes that port casks can add to a well aged bourbon, then you will likely want to give this bourbon a try!

Have you tried the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon 2026 Review! Why not learn about its sibling in our 2026 Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength Rye Review? Next, read these related reviews: Angel’s Envy 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon Review and Tasting With Master Distiller Owen Martin and Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength Bourbon Review (2025)!

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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