Angel’s Envy has built its reputation by staying true to a simple idea: crafting Kentucky straight bourbon with a distinctive port cask finish. For more than a decade, that focus has earned the Louisville-based distillery a loyal following. But every so often, Angel’s Envy steps outside of its comfort zone, and the results usually turn heads. This year, the brand is taking that spirit of experimentation further with the release of two unusual, limited-edition whiskeys available only at the distillery.
The new releases—Two-Grain Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Peated Cask Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Scotch Barrels—reflect the influence of Angel’s Envy master distiller Owen Martin. His time spent in both Kentucky and Scotland sparked the idea of merging traditional bourbon-making with global techniques, creating whiskeys that pay tribute to both heritages while pushing the envelope.
The Two-Grain Bourbon stands apart from what fans might expect. Most bourbons use at least three grains in the mashbill, but this one strips it down to just two: 90 percent Kentucky-grown corn sourced from Langley Farms in Shelbyville and 10 percent malted barley. Compare that to Angel’s Envy’s usual recipe—72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley—and the difference is striking. The bourbon was aged in new charred oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage before being bottled at 112 proof. In an unusual twist, 50 barrels were cut to 116 proof, placed back into the same barrels, and left to rest again before blending. The result is a limited run of around 17,500 bottles, offering drinkers a taste that leans into pure corn sweetness and oak without the familiar rye spice.
Then there’s the Peated Cask Rye, which introduces a distinctly Scottish influence. This six-year-old rye was finished in barrels that once held peated scotch from Islay, a region famous for its smoky, earthy whiskies. Bottled at 100 proof, the rye delivers layers of pepper, herbal notes, and a subtle earthiness. What makes this release even more unusual is Martin’s decision to use Louisville tap water that had been aged for ten months in used rye whiskey barrels to proof it down—a technique that adds yet another dimension to the final spirit. Just 7,200 bottles were produced, making it far more limited than its bourbon counterpart.
Both bottles are priced at $55 each, a surprisingly approachable tag given the experimental nature and limited quantities. But there’s a catch: they can only be purchased in person at the Angel’s Envy distillery in Louisville. For many whiskey fans, that’s hardly a drawback. Louisville is already a destination for bourbon lovers, and the chance to walk away with bottles like these makes the trip even more worthwhile. Of course, with supply capped at fewer than 25,000 bottles combined, it’s safe to assume some will find their way to the secondary market at inflated prices.
For Angel’s Envy, these releases highlight a willingness to honor tradition while refusing to be boxed in by it. The distillery continues to offer its core lineup—bourbon finished in port casks, cask-strength editions, and rye finished in rum barrels—but the new Two-Grain Bourbon and Peated Cask Rye show what happens when the team stretches its creativity.
For whiskey drinkers willing to seek them out, these bottles are more than just collectible oddities. They represent the blending of Kentucky craftsmanship with Scottish influence, a meeting point of two whiskey cultures with deep histories and strong identities. And for those who appreciate a story behind what’s in the glass, Angel’s Envy’s latest releases offer plenty to talk about.
