Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review

Angel’s Envy
Peated Cask Rye
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Scotch Barrels
100 Proof
SRP: ~$55 (375ml)
Review

Please enjoy my Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review!

I am a fan of peat and a fan of rye, so when I first learned of this whiskey, I was quite excited to give it a try. I had high hopes that it would be very well done, knowing that Angel’s Envy’s Master Distiller, Owen Martin, has an extensive background in Scotch and with barrel finishing.

A Unique Fusion of Kentucky Rye and Islay Peat

According to Angel’s Envy: “The Peated Cask Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Scotch Barrels melds bold rye character with Islay’s signature peat smoke. Aged six years and finished for another in Scotch casks, it delivers a peppery, herbal profile in a charred lemon color at 100 Proof (ABV 50%).”

This whiskey is part of Angel’s Envy’s Distillery Series, available exclusively at the Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Details – Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review

I am quite fortunate and grateful to have been invited to an unveiling of this whiskey at the Tartan House in Louisville, Kentucky, during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. While I remember quite well the delicious whiskey, cocktails and food, due to a technical malfunction with my recording, I have to rely on my memory, as well as outside sources, for some of the details.

• Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Scotch Casks
• Proof / ABV: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
• Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
• Distilled At: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery
• Aged: 6.5 years in new American charred oak barrels
• Finishing: Approximately half finished in peated Scotch casks for one year; the other half continued aging in their original barrels
• Proofing Water: “Petit Eaux” (barrel-aged water), matured 10 months in rye whiskey barrels and used to proof the whiskey to 100 proof (a cognac technique)
• Availability: Distillery Series exclusive – available only at the Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville, KY
• Sources: Angel’s Envy official website; Robb Report; tasting mat and presentation at the Tartan House

Tasting Notes – Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Sweet berry notes, maybe raspberry jam; mild rye spices and mild peat smoke. Moderately sweet overall with sweet caramel, a hint of dry oak, and tart orange citrus later on. Alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.
👉🏻 Taste: The peat smoke becomes more evident on the palate, with moderate simple syrup sweetness, sweet caramel, subtle sweet berries, tart orange citrus, and rye spices.
👉🏻 Finish: The peat continues into the finish along with mild simple syrup sweetness and rye spices. Then a mild white pepper spice develops. Later, the finish turns fairly dry, with lingering peat smoke, white pepper, and mild dry wood. The flavors linger for quite some time, leaving a pleasant warmth.

There’s No Hiding The Peat Smoke

I’m not going to lie—you’re going to have to be somewhat of a peat fan, or at least willing to learn, to enjoy this Peated Cask Rye. There’s no getting around the peat smoke flavors. While they start out fairly subtle in the nose, they become more pronounced on the palate and continue through the finish and beyond. However, they serve as a nice contrast to the underlying simple syrup and sweet berry sweetness, and they complement the rye spices beautifully, blending almost seamlessly with them. In addition, the petit eaux used for proofing this whiskey down to 100, also adds its own sweetness and mellows the peat smoke a bit.

Given that, this could make a great introduction to peated whiskey for those not already fans—or a great introduction to rye for those who are. If you’re a peat fan, or just adventurous, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Conclusion – Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review

As for me, I am a fan of peat, and I absolutely love this rye. The combination of flavors, and how they complement each other, is just perfect. Who would have thought? Bravo, Owen Martin, bravo! This is an amazing whiskey that brings out the best of all its components — the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, as they say. Are you a peated whiskey fan? Have you tried this rye? What did you think? Cheers! 🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Angel’s Envy Peated Cask Rye Review! Next, read these related articles: Angel’s Envy Bourbon Review and Angel’s Envy Distillery Tour.

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

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