Wes Henderson is talking on the phone from his car while he contemplates pulling over and helping with a traffic incident on the road. He is what people would call a serious multi-tasker. He’s a volunteer fire fighter and also a part of a family that has successfully distilled a premium bourbon called “Angel’s Envy”.
The company began when Wes, his father Lincoln, and his oldest son Kyle, set out to make a good, quality bourbon. Lincoln was already a legend in the industry, having worked at Brown-Forman for more than 40 years. He is often credited with developing their “Woodford Reserve” . The dream of the three men was to create a new kind of whiskey, made in the U.S. and finished in ruby port barrels made from French oak and imported directly from Portugal. Wes explained:
“Dad was happy to come out of retirement to work with us.”
Their dream was fully realized in only twelve years in the family’s $27 million state-of-the-art facility, which sits in downtown Louisville. According to Wes:
“Great stories go hand in hand with bourbon!” Angel’s Envy’s story about the patient development of a quality, hand-crafted, smooth tasting bourbon right here in the United States is certainly a striking one. Wes says of his late father who passed away in 2013:
“He liked to try things that were unique.”The port wine barrels, imported from Portugal are what gives the bourbon its interesting characteristics.”
Wes also believes it was his father’s fine-tuning finesse that enabled “Angel’s Envy” to become a popular bourbon brand, not only in Louisville but around the country. Although the bourbon company has no national advertising, in Chicago it can be found at Binny’s Liquors. Wes noted: .
“It is harder to get. You have to search for it.”
According to thewhiskeywash.com,
“The finish is medium, warm. Reminiscent of snickerdoodles, it leaves the drinker wanting more of the same.”
Angel’s Envy launched in 2011. It sells for approximately $45-50 per 750 mL bottle. For more information access angelsenvy.com.
Creative Credits
- Written by
- Jane Bokun
- Image courtesy
- Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon
