Angels Envy Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish 750ML

Angel's Envy Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish 750ML is a limited-edition Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Madeira wine casks, bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). With only 3,360 bottles produced, this release stands as one of Angel's Envy's most exclusive expressions, drawing on casks hand-selected during a 2015 trip to the island of Madeira where the team evaluated more than 30 cask varieties before settling on the final selection.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Finished 1 Year in Madeira Casks  |  Distillery: Angel's Envy Distillery

Production & Heritage

Angel's Envy Distillery operates from its home at 500 East Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky. For this limited release, the distillery blended select Kentucky straight bourbons and finished them for approximately one year in Madeira wine casks sourced directly from the Portuguese island. The team sought casks that would contribute both the dryness associated with fine sherry and the richness of tawny port, resulting in a finishing character distinct from the brand's flagship port cask expression. The bourbon's specific mashbill has not been publicly disclosed.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramelized banana and bananas foster lead the nose, followed by brown sugar, cinnamon raisin, and flossed sugar. Deeper layers reveal marzipan, dried cherries, and roasted almonds.

Taste: The entry is sweet and spiced, reminiscent of ripe stone fruit with a touch of orange zest and warming tannin. The mid-palate shifts through smoky dark chocolate, leather, and dried black cherry, while vanilla and light cedar notes build complexity. Whisky Advocate described the palate as "spiced and perfumed, with pronounced but balanced heat, bitter espresso, chocolate, and light caramel, accented by notes of eucalyptus and lemon zest."

Finish: Long and layered, with milk chocolate, toasted almonds, and hazelnut carrying through to the close. Dried cherry and toasted oak linger alongside a subtle coffee note that keeps the finish grounded and satisfying.

How to Drink the Madeira Cask Finish

Given the limited production and 100 proof strength, this bourbon rewards slow sipping neat or with a few drops of water to open the chocolate and fruit layers. For those inclined to mix with a rare bottle, the rich profile works in specific applications: an Old Fashioned, where the dark fruit and chocolate amplify the cocktail's classic sweetness; a Boulevardier, where the Madeira-influenced tannins complement Campari's bitterness; or a Manhattan, where the wine cask influence harmonizes naturally with sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Adding a rare, limited-edition bourbon to a serious whiskey collection
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values unique cask finishes
• Celebrating a milestone event with something genuinely scarce
• Side-by-side tasting alongside the standard Angel's Envy Port Finish

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Angel's Envy Madeira Cask taste like? The dominant profile centers on caramelized banana, dark chocolate, dried cherry, and toasted almond, with a spicy undercurrent and notable oak influence. The Madeira cask finishing contributes a tannic dryness and richness that separates it from typical bourbon sweetness.

How does Angel's Envy Madeira Cask compare to Angel's Envy Port Finish? The flagship Port Finish is bottled at 43.3% ABV and leans toward lighter fruit and maple sweetness, while the Madeira Cask Finish is bottled at a higher 50% ABV with darker, drier fruit character and more pronounced tannin from the Madeira casks. The Madeira release is also a limited edition of 3,360 bottles, making it significantly rarer than the widely available Port Finish.

Is Angel's Envy Madeira Cask good for sipping neat? At 100 proof, it has enough structure and complexity to stand on its own without dilution, though a small splash of water helps reveal additional fruit and chocolate nuances beneath the spice.

Where is Angel's Envy Madeira Cask made? It is produced at the Angel's Envy Distillery located at 500 East Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, with the Madeira finishing casks sourced directly from the island of Madeira, Portugal.

What foods pair well with Angel's Envy Madeira Cask? Dark chocolate truffles complement the espresso and cocoa notes naturally. Aged Gouda or Manchego cheese mirrors the tannic, nutty finish. Smoked duck breast echoes the bourbon's leather and smoke character. Banana bread or a warm almond tart highlights the caramelized fruit on the nose. Dried fruit and nut boards let the Madeira-influenced dried cherry and hazelnut notes shine.

What sizes does Angel's Envy Madeira Cask come in? This limited-edition release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Angel's Envy Madeira Cask worth the price? It positions as an ultra-premium, limited-release bourbon with only 3,360 bottles produced, placing it well above the brand's standard offerings in both scarcity and price tier. For collectors and enthusiasts drawn to unique cask finishes and small-batch rarity, the value proposition rests on its exclusivity and distinctive Madeira cask character.

Why Angel's Envy Madeira Cask?

The defining differentiator here is the cask selection process: Angel's Envy traveled to Madeira in 2015 and evaluated over 30 cask varieties before choosing barrels that would deliver both sherry-like dryness and the richness of tawny port. That deliberate sourcing, combined with a full year of finishing and a production run of just 3,360 bottles, places this release in genuinely rare territory. The 100 proof bottling strength preserves the intensity of the Madeira cask influence, resulting in a bourbon with darker, more tannic fruit character than most finished American whiskeys achieve. For anyone seeking a bourbon that pushes well beyond conventional flavor boundaries while remaining unmistakably rooted in Kentucky tradition, this is an expression that delivers on its ambition.