See Also:

• Friday, May 17, 2013
  Pike Creek Flows to the United States
• Friday, May 3, 2013
  Jefferson's Makes a Legal-Age Bourbon
• Friday, April 26, 2013
  New Masterpiece Bourbon from Jim Beam
• Friday, April 19, 2013
  Four Roses Blooming with New Single Barrel Bourbon
• Friday, April 5, 2013
  Bulleit's First Age Statement Bourbon
• More from Drinks

First Taste—Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey

Jack Bettridge
Posted: March 1, 2013

Angel's Envy Rye Whiskey (100 proof or 50 percent alcohol by volume, about $79.99 for a 750 ml bottle)

APPEARANCE: Medium amber quartz, very slow medium-width legs.

NOSE: Maple syrup fairly jumps out of the bottle, followed by charming wisps of caramel, smoke, pralines, red berries, butter rum and honey.

PALATE: That strong hint of maple on the nose all but disappears on the palate, replaced by berry fruits, nuts, a sort of honey/eucalyptus spiciness and exotic tea. While this complex tour of flavors can run from soft and sweet to tart and sultry, it doesn’t have the overwhelming spicy sourness that might be expected from the one-sided mashbill.

FINISH: The finish goes on and on, replaying the past and bringing in new flavors like hazelnut, sherry and oak. When it finally closes up, that promise of maple sugar first experienced on the nose plays out.

CIGAR PAIRING: Nat Sherman Especiale ($6.20, 6 inches by 38 ring, 91 points, April 2012 Cigar Aficionado)

This panetela has a near-perfect burn. Its core of rich cocoa and cedar flavors are balanced by more refined touches of dark chocolate and dried citrus. What it seems to lack in sweetness is quickly sought out by the rye, as it shows hints of vanilla and hazelnut. The Angel’s Envy gains an edge that it previously didn’t display, but the pairing favors the cigar.

Tatuaje Black Lancero ($10.00, 7 1/2 inches by 38 ring, 91 points, April 2012 Cigar Aficionado)

A great-looking lancero with a triple-seam cap and pigtail. Its lush draw layers the palate with chewy dense smoke that is both sweet with nougat and hearty with coffee bean. Flavors build to a gingersnap finish. Again, the rye brings out the cigar’s sweetness, showcasing the nougat notes and introducing a distinctly nutty appeal. The cigar runs up the maple notes from the Angel’s Envy’s aroma, displaying it more prominently on the palate. An excellent pairing from both sides.

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