Tag: Angel’s Envy Whiskey

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Angel Rare & Eagle Envy

Since the SABInBev take-over of Goose Island, lo those many years ago, the annual Bourbon County releases have grown in number and in the amount of flavors they cram into each bottle. This year is different though. Only one of the six variants is in pastry stout land, a bananas foster stout which I will slide away from. But two (see below) really lean into what I think is the core mission of this program. Bourbon and barrel-aging.

2023 Bourbon County Brand Eagle Rare 2-Year Reserve Stout  

“With a heritage rooted in authenticity and a commitment to craftsmanship, Eagle Rare captures the essence of American history with its Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Just as bourbon is a uniquely American product, Bourbon County Brand Stout is distinctly Chicago. From the carefully selected American oak barrels sourced from Eagle Rare in Kentucky to the distinct combination of our unique climate and original imperial stout recipe crafted here; Bourbon County Eagle Rare Reserve Stout epitomizes a proud American legacy. ⁠  
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Aged for two years in extraordinary Eagle Rare 10-year-old barrels, each sip is a culmination of our passion, intricately woven together with the nuanced flavors imparted by these remarkable barrels. Eagle Rare Reserve is an incredibly complex and boldly rich stout that celebrates the essence of American brewing at its finest.“

2023 Bourbon County Brand Angel’s Envy 2-Year Cask Finish Stout  
“Introducing the newest addition to the Bourbon County family: our first-ever “Cask Finish” stout. Inspired by the innovation of our friends at Angel’s Envy, we embarked on a journey to further develop the complexity of barrel-aged stout by introducing never-before-used finishing barrels. The beer starts in freshly emptied barrels that once held Angel’s Envy Kentucky straight bourbon. After aging in those for a year, the beer was transferred to a second set of Ruby Port wine barrels where it patiently matured for another year. By replicating Angel Envy’s finishing process, we refined and amplified the flavors of cherry, spice, and cocoa within this aged stout. Bourbon County Angel’s Envy Cask Finish Stout is a testament to our legacy as the originators of bourbon barrel-aged stout.“

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Angels & Ales

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When I think of craft beer, I hardly ever think high-end Century City hotels but right next to Nakatomi Plaza, the InterContinental Los Angeles on the Avenue of the Stars has a special pairing of Angels & Ales.

Combining Angel’s Envy Kentucky straight bourbon and nearby Santa Monica Brew Works, you just have to stroll into the small Lobby Lounge and order up a pint of the SMBW’s witbier or PCH paired alongside Angel’s Envy bourbon (you have the option to choose a special blend that the hotel chef helped to create) for $16.

The PCH (Pale Chocolate Heaven) is the easier choice to see. A light but flavorful chocolate beer really lights up in comparison with whiskey. Especially the Expression 95/5 which had a lovely vanilla and oaky character. The beer added to the whiskey and vice versa. I have to admit that I was skeptical about pairing a witbier with its delicate floral aromatics against a whiskey but it did hold up. The pairing was a qualified success in that it raised my expectations. The weizen tinged Santa Monica Witbier added a certain quality but the heat from the whiskey like the Expression 10/10 really beat it down.

It is great to see that a hotel that could easily just offer the same old, same ol’ and probably not suffer going that extra step to craft. It is also cool to see that the head chef is into it too.