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 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
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’s | Angel’s Envy | |
| Palate | Brown sugar, dark fruits, fairly spicy, vanilla, baking spice, burnt cookie dough with some citrus | Touch of grapes, light maple syrup, bitter chocolate, caramel, and vanilla |
| Nose | Cinnamon, toffee, vanilla, leather, alcohol, and custard | Vanilla, Popcorn, charred oak, ethanol, and light grapes |
| Color | Beautiful amber color | Gold with reddish amber hue |
| Finish | Medium length, bitter cacao, tannins, and a slight spicy bite | Lingering sweetness, clean with hints of Madeira |
Availability
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 Envy | Blanton’s | |
| Average Price | Roughly $54.99 | Roughly $136.47 |
*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Fun Facts
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:
- https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/buffalo-trace-bourbon-rye-buying-guide-prices-brands-value/#eagle-rare
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921
