Whisky bars are on the rise across the city, opening up in the trendiest neighbourhoods and hotspots at lightning speed. Like tequila, whisky seems to be one of Toronto’s trendiest spirits, offering up complex flavours, exquisite cocktail creations, and different subcategories to make each sip perfect for its consumer.
Bourbon is one of the specific subset of whiskeys, used for sipping and for mixing. Essentially, all bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons. In fact, there are specific laws that define what a bourbon is, engraving its place in history and ensuring that companies like Angel’s Envy, which just started offering its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels in Canada, craft a perfectly distilled spirit with consistency and efficiency.
Bourbon’s legal requirements
For a whisky to be considered a bourbon, it must be produced in the United States, and at least 51% of the grain must be corn. In order for it to be legally described as bourbon, the grains must not be distilled over 160 proof (the proof calculates the alcohol content by doubling the alcohol percentage), and must be no higher than 125 proof when aged. Finally, when bottled, it must be a minimum of 80 proof to be considered bourbon. The proof requirements are in place to allow for more complex flavours to come out, many of which go away when the alcohol concentrations get too high early in the process. Also, nothing but water can be added to the spirit, and water can only be added to lessen the proof when necessary.
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There are also specific regulations concerning how the spirit is aged. Bourbon must be aged in charred new oak containers. Bourbon needs the first use of the barrel so that it can bring out sweeter flavour profiles when interacting with the char.
A new bourbon comes to Canada: About Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Recently, a new brand of whiskey took Canada by storm: Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels became widely available on shelves across the country following unprecedented demand when it first launched. The spirit, which is 86.6 proof (43.3% ABV), is crafted in Louisville Kentucky, a popular spot for bourbon creation. But, the Angel’s Envy Brand Home was the first ever full-production whiskey distillery in Louisville, opening in 2016 and recently undergoing a impressive expansion.
Of course, Angel’s Envy Bourbon fits the proof requirement, and is evidently crafted in the United States. But, the charred new oak containers that age the spirit to meet regulations are only the first part of the process. What sets Angel’s Envy apart is their bourbon undergoes a secondary ageing process, spending four to six months port barrels sourced from Portugal, creating a unique flavour profile. Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight bourbon offers notes of vanilla, bitter chocolate and toasted nuts, as well as a finish of lingering sweetness that slowly fades, thanks to the port barrels.
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Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon is available at LCBO in Ontario, and any local liquor store across the country for $79.95 (price may vary by province or retailer).
In collaboration with Louisville Distilling Co LLC
