Angel’s Envy vs Eagle Rare: Which Wins?

Discover the differences between Angel’s Envy vs Eagle Rare in this in-depth comparison and decide which Bourbon is better for You!

Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Nose	Coconut, chocolate, vanilla
Palate	Bread, maple syrup, caramel, vanilla
Finish	Toasted oak, baking spice
Alcohol content	86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink	Neat
Similar to	Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden’s

Angel’s Envy is not the typical bourbon as it finished it’s aging in port casks. Port is a strong, sweet, typically dark red fortified wine, originally from Portugal, typically drunk as a dessert wine.

The nose has hints not typical of bourbon such as coconut and chocolate followed by vanilla.

On the palate, the Angel’s Envy feels a bit thin lacking in texture. Taste is a little spicy up-front like a red wine, followed by maple syrup, caramel, vanilla and baking spice.

The finish is long and easy, moderately sweet, with hints of toasted oak and baking spice.

Angel’s Envy is an interesting pour. This is different to the hundreds of bourbons I’ve sampled so far. Very smooth with very little to no burn with a maple breakfast vibe and a tad of spice.

Having a bit more proof would make this bourbon a 5-star pour but it’s quite enjoyable as is.

I suggest looking at the Angel’s Envy Rye which is richer and tastier.

There are a few facts worth knowing about Angel’s Envy:

• Aged for 4 to 6 years.

• Mash bill is comprised of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley.

• Earned 98 points from the Wine Enthusiast.

• Earned five stars from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

• This brand was created by Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson who developed the Woodford Reserve and the Gentleman Jack while working for Brown Forman.

• This brand is owned by Bermuda-based Bacardi Company along Grey Goose, Patron Tequila, among several others.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Straight Bourbon

Nose	Toasted oak, orange peel, maple syrup
Palate	Oak, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, baking spice
Finish	Oak, tobacco, leather
Alcohol content	90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink	Neat
Similar to	Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek

The Eagle Rare is made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery using the same mash bill as the Buffalo Trace. The difference lies in the aging as the Eagle Rare is aged for 10 years while the Buffalo Trace for 6.

Additional aging provides a dryer and oakier taste to the Eagle Rare making it feel like a grown-up iteration of the Buffalo Trace.

Nose kicks-off with toasted oak, followed by orange peel, red fruit and maple syrup.

On the palate, the Eagle Rare shows a creamy body as the texture feels buttery. First sip is strong in oak, but as you let it develop vanilla, dried fruit, caramel and baking spice pop-up bringing good balance to the dram.

The finish is long, providing a bit of a bite, with more oak to it, along old leather and tobacco notes.

Adding water brings a bit more of caramel, tunes-down the finish, although it remains oaky.

Eagle Rare might not be the best bourbon for beginners as it’s a bit too oaky, but it has plenty to appreciate as it drinks quite nicely and makes one of the best 10 year old liquors.

Definitely a keeper at MSRP ($50-$60) but not good enough to pay a crazy price for it!

I have compiled a list of similar whiskeys to the Eagle Rare that should look into as it has become increasingly hard to find.

There are a few things worth knowing about Eagle Rare:

• It ages for no less than 10 years in new, highly charred American oak barrels under the sun.

• The barrels are hand-picked for quality and consistency before bottling.

• The brand was launched in 1975 by Seagram, was later purchased by the Old Prentice Distillery and was acquired by Sazerac in 1989.

Angel’s Envy vs Eagle Rare: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price
Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon	$50
Eagle Rare 10 Year Straight Bourbon	$55

Angel’s Envy vs Eagle Rare: Which is better?

Eagle Rare offers traditional bourbon flavor

Whiskey	Angel’s Envy	Eagle Rare
Nose	✅	✅
Body		✅
Palate	✅	✅
Finish	✅	✅
Value		✅

• Eagle Rare offers the aroma and flavor that you expect to find in a good bourbon, along the right amount of heat and a rich oak note, providing a satisfying whiskey from nose to finish.

• Angel’s Envy is unique as it was finished in Port casks providing hints uncommon to bourbon.

• It lacks in body and proof to be a top-shelf bourbon, yet makes an interesting pour well worth looking at.