Angel’s Envy vs Elijah Craig Bourbon: Which is Better? (2023)
Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Small batch bourbon is great for premium purchases as it offers a more consistent flavor, quality, and authenticity.
Here’s our in-depth comparison of Angel’s Envy vs Elijah Craig to help you decide which is the better small batch bourbon. Read on.
Angel’s Envy & Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Battle
Elijah Craig is a small batch bourbon whiskey, while Angel’s Envy is not your typical small batch bourbon because it is twice blended and finished in port wine casks.
Elijah Craig boasts higher alcohol content than Angel’s Envy; however, Angel’s Envy contains higher rye content on its mash bill.
Heaven Hill Distillery produces Elijah Craig, while Louisville Distilling Company crafts Angel’s Envy. In addition, Angel’s Envy is more expensive than Elijah Craig.
Angel’ Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon
| Nose | Brown sugar, vanilla, coconut, toasted nuts, and maple syrup |
| Palate | Light, silky, sweet, caramel, vanilla, |
| Color | Gold with reddish amber hue |
| Finish | Brown sugar, oak, lingering sweetness, |
| How It’s Served | Neat and on the rocks |
| Comparable To | Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniels, and Woodford Reserve |
Angel’s Envy is a small batch bourbon, but unlike the standard and typical bourbon whiskey, it undergoes blending twice, before and after the port wine barrels finish.
“By applying this familiar technique to our bourbon [secondary finishing], we’ve been able to create a whiskey that has already gained huge popularity in our home country,”
– Wes Henderson, Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Angel’s Envy
The bourbon whiskey is made using 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley and features 43.3% ABV (86.6 proof).
As we opened Angel’s Envy, the chocolate and coconut aroma welcomed us, along with some vanilla and toasted nuts hints.
We like the slightly spicy kick up-front, followed by caramel, baking spice, and maple syrup. The finish is moderately sweet, with hints of oak and spices.
Angel’s Envy is a smooth and interesting pour but feels light and lacks texture.
However, price is a sticking point for many bourbon lovers, and many find it too expensive for its taste.
Fun Facts
- Bacardi Limited owns Angel’s Envy [1].
- It is American-made, but Scotch inspired.
- The brand has Whiskey Guardians that educate communities about bourbon, specifically Angel’s Envy.
- The brand uses ruby port wine casks to add distinct flavor and enhance the taste of the whiskey.
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
| Nose | Oak, chocolate, vanilla, sweet fruit clove, and cinnamon |
| Palate | Warm, oaky, with accents of nutmeg, chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla |
| Color | Burnished copper |
| Finish | Surprisingly long, slightly sweet, and toasty, with black pepper |
| How It’s Served | Neat, with a splash of water, on the rocks, in cocktails |
| Comparable To | Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, and Knob Creek |
Elijah Craig is crafted using the mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The distillery blends not less than 200 casks aged for at least eight years to achieve a consistent palate profile.
The bourbon offers nice oak notes, followed by cinnamon, clove, and chocolate.
It has slight bitterness on the palate, but the butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, and citrus are noticeable too.
With a splash of water, it becomes sweeter and loses some peppery bite. It has nice warmth on the finish and goes down nicely.
For many, Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon is a go-to bourbon because of its price point and tasting notes.
Indeed, bourbon does not need to be expensive to be this good.
Fun Facts
- The Elijah Craig Small Batch previously carried a 12-year age statement, but in 2016, it was removed to extend its stocks.
- It is widely acknowledged in international spirits competitions for its tasting notes.
- Elijah Craig is known to be the first distiller to use heavily charred casks for the bourbon aging process [2].
- Heaven Hill Distillery crafts all of the Elijah Craig bourbons.
Angel’s Envy vs Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Price
Angel’s Envy is more expensive compared to Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon.
| Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon | |
| Average Price | Roughly $54.99 | Roughly $34.23 |
*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
Which is a better sipper, Elijah Craig small batch or Angel’s Envy?
Elijah Craig makes a better sipper than Angel’s Envy.
Elijah Craig features a rich and complex aroma and palate, with a smooth texture that makes it a highly enjoyable bourbon to sip and savor.
Is Angel’s Envy bourbon aged longer than Elijah Craig small batch?
No, Angel’s Envy is not aged longer than Elijah Craig small batch. While both bourbons do not bear an age statement, Angel’s Envy is rumored to be aged around four to six years.
On the other hand, Elijah Craig was previously aged 12 years, but the distillery dropped the age statement and aged the bourbons for eight to twelve years instead.
In A Nutshell
It was a very close fight between Angel’s Envy and Elijah Craig, but we’ll go for Elijah Craig Small Batch for its price and tasting notes.
Angel’s Envy is easy to like if you are not a fan of bold bourbons. However, we find it too watered down, too thin, and does not shine, especially for its price.
Elijah Craig, on the other hand, has a nice amount of kick for its alcohol-proof and does an amazing job, especially when consumed neat and with a splash of water.
References:
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/08/2243346/0/en/ANGEL-S-ENVY-Kentucky-Straight-Bourbon-Whiskey-Finished-in-Port-Wine-Barrels-Launches-in-Berlin-Paris-and-Rome.html
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/tippling-point-the-story-of-elijah-craig-the-father-of-bourbon-5859371.html
