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Angel’s Envy vs Blanton’s Bourbon: Which is Better? (2023)

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Blanton’s and Angel’s Envy are two of the most talked about bourbons in the whiskey world today. 

The beautiful horse stopper of Blanton’s will look nice in your home bar, but does it taste better than it looks?

How true is it that Angel’s Envy got a better deal than the angels? 

Read on for the bourbon showdown between Angel’s Envy vs Blanton’s and see if they live up to the hype. 

Blanton’s & Angel’s Envy Bourbon Compared

Angel's Envy and Blanton's Bottle with Glasses, Oranges, and Lemons

Angel’s Envy is a small batch bourbon whiskey finished in port barrels, while Blanton’s is a single barrel bourbon. 

Blanton’s bourbon boasts higher alcohol proof and aged longer than Angel’s Envy. With all the hype about Blanton’s, it is more expensive than Angel’s Envy bourbon

Blanton’s is a high-rye bourbon with around 12-15% rye on its mash bill [1], while Angel’s Envy features a higher rye content with around 18% rye on its mash bill.

History & Origin 

It was 1984 when Blanton’s was released by Buffalo Trace Distillery as the first ever single barrel bourbon sold in the market.  

Angel’s Envy was founded in 2010, and it’s one of the first American whiskey producers that practice a secondary finishing process. 

Distillation & Maturation Process

Whiskey Barrels

Blanton’s is an award-winning single barrel bourbon and since no two barrels have similar tasting notes, expect that some batches are good and some are great. 

It is aged for around six to eight years in newly charred oak barrels to develop its profile [2], and since Warehouse H is made of metal, it ages faster. 

On the other hand, Angel’s Envy is aged between four and six years in new 53-gallon white oak barrels and blended for the ideal flavor profile. 

Then, it undergoes finishing in port barrels for another six months and blends it again for the ideal tasting notes. 

“We felt the taste profile of a ruby port would be perfect for finishing our whiskey, so we took the leap,”

– Wes Henderson, Master Distiller. 

Mash Bills & Alcohol Content 

Angel’s Envy uses the proprietary mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. It features 43.3 % ABV or 86.6 proof. 

On the contrary, Blanton’s bourbon uses the Buffalo Trace mash bill #2, and while the exact ratio is not disclosed, it features around 12%-15% rye on its mash bill. 

Blanton’s bourbon boasts 46.5% ABV or 93 proof. 

Tasting Notes

Blanton’sAngel’s Envy
PalateBrown sugar, dark fruits, fairly spicy, vanilla, baking spice, burnt cookie dough with some citrusTouch of grapes, light maple syrup, bitter chocolate, caramel, and vanilla
NoseCinnamon, toffee, vanilla, leather, alcohol, and custardVanilla, Popcorn, charred oak, ethanol, and light grapes
ColorBeautiful amber colorGold with reddish amber hue
FinishMedium length, bitter cacao, tannins, and a slight spicy biteLingering sweetness, clean with hints of Madeira

Availability 

man opening bottle of Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

Angel’s Envy can be easy to find, especially if you are near their distillery.

Our friends in Denver, Chicago, Seattle, and Oregon mentioned that it is easy to find this bourbon in their locations. 

However, it can be challenging to find because Blanton’s bourbon is allocated in some states.

In addition, while it is available in different places, it is usually available at a higher markup. 

Ownership & Distillery 

Louisville Distilling Company produces Angel’s Envy in Louisville, Kentucky and Bacardi Limited owns the bourbon brand. 

Buffalo Trace Distillery crafts Blanton’s bourbon in Frankfort, Kentucky, and Sazerac Company owns the brand. 

Price Point & Value 

Blanton’s bourbon is more expensive than Angel’s Envy. However, Angel’s Envy is a bang for your buck. 

Angel’s EnvyBlanton’s
Average PriceRoughly $54.99Roughly $136.47

*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.

Fun Facts 

man holding angel's envy bourbon whiskey

Blanton’s 

  • It is the world’s first single barrel.
  • It features eight horse stoppers that you can collect. 
  • The stoppers are spelled “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S,” and S shows the horse crossing the finish line. 

Angel’s Envy

  • It’s one of the first whiskey producers with secondary finishing.
  • Angel’s share evaporates during barrel aging, and Angel’s Envy is what retains in the barrel. The founder joked that they got a better deal than the angels.
  • It is American made, but Scotch inspired.

FAQs 

Is Blanton’s harder to find than Angel’s Envy?

Yes, Blanton’s harder to find than Angel’s Envy. 

Since the bottlings are allocated in some places and because of its ridiculously high markup on the secondary market, finding Blanton’s at MSRP is challenging. 

Is Angel’s Envy a better sipper than Blanton’s?

Yes, Angel’s Envy is a better sipper than Blanton’s. Since it is a solid beginner bourbon with low proof, it is smoother, and the cask finish helps round out the bourbon flavors. 

Key Takeaways 

Angel’s Envy presides over Blanton’s in this bourbon showdown. 

Blanton’s is a good pour, but it is an overly hyped and overrated bourbon. There’s nothing distinctive with this bourbon, so paying double the MSRP is not worth it. 

Angel’s Envy’s port cask finish does a nice job rounding off the standard bourbon flavors. It is light and soft, which is a good choice for casual and novice drinkers. 

References:

  1. https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/buffalo-trace-bourbon-rye-buying-guide-prices-brands-value/#eagle-rare 
  2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921

Lydia Martin

Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here or feel free to give Lydia a tip.

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