#TestingThursday! Not testing for a top 5 spot but just a general review this week. We’ve got an Angels Envy Single Barrel Pick by Total Wine & More. These are relatively new to the market having started in 2020. I’ve never been a huge fan of AE’s standard release (86 proof) but was excited to try it out at higher proof.  Angels Envy finishes these in Port Wine barrels for a few months once the bourbon is fully mature.  

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Stats: NAS (up to 6 years); finished 3-6 months in French Oak Port Wine barrels from Portugal; 106.5 proof; Undisclosed mashbill; $99

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Verdict: To be fair this is my second bottle of this, I had another pick by Liquor Barn so I’ve formed an opinion before this bottle review. And that opinion is that I REALLY like these. The amped up proof throws some serious weight behind the flavors. I hadn’t been too keen on wine finished bourbons before this but I really love that slight hint of wine flavors the Port instills into the profile to go along with caramel, berries, cola, and baking spices. With that said, I believe my first bottle was a good bit better than this pick but it is still one I find myself reaching for often. I’ve even found myself craving that distinct wine influence and I will now be searching out more wine finished products to try. It is a bit on the pricier side for it's raw stats of age and finished length but I personally believe it is worth it - and I don't say that too often with bottles.  If you find yourself striking out on some allocated bottles this fall, take a swipe at one of these and if you’re like me, you may find yourself finishing a bottle so fast you’ll wonder if it was really 750ml.