Angel's Envy Cask Strength 2012 First Release

The founding First Release. Angel's Envy Cask Strength 2012 — Lincoln Henderson's inaugural cask strength edition of the port barrel-finished Kentucky straight bourbon he created after 40 years at Brown-Forman. One of the rarest Angel's Envy expressions in existence.

Lincoln Henderson founded Angel's Envy at age 74 after four decades at Brown-Forman, where he created Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other landmark American whiskeys. His defining innovation was finishing Kentucky straight bourbon in ruby port wine barrels — creating a softer, more complex expression that the standard proof and the cask strength versions express differently. Henderson passed away in September 2013 — making the 2012 First Release one of the last cask strength expressions he personally oversaw from inception to release.

The Cask Strength annual release has become one of the most anticipated fall releases in the American whiskey calendar. The 2012 First Release predates this established following entirely — it is the founding expression of the program from the year before Henderson's death, at natural port-finish cask strength with no dilution. Over a decade from its original release, it is now among the rarest Angel's Envy bottles available anywhere.

Specs

• Distillery: Angel's Envy Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Port Barrel Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Cask Strength
• Finish: Ruby port wine barrels
• Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
• Release: 2012 — First Release (founding edition)
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Angel's Envy collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is the 2012 First Release the most significant Angel's Envy Cask Strength? The 2012 is the founding expression — the first cask strength release of Lincoln Henderson's port-finished bourbon. It predates the program's established following and was among the last expressions Henderson personally oversaw before his death in September 2013. No subsequent release can carry the founding significance of the inaugural edition.
• How does the Cask Strength differ from standard Angel's Envy? Standard Angel's Envy is bottled at 86.6 proof (43.3% ABV) with the ruby port finish. The Cask Strength is bottled at natural barrel proof without dilution — the same port-finished bourbon at full uncut intensity, significantly more powerful and complex than the standard expression.
• Is the 2012 First Release still available? Yes — two bottles in current stock. Among the rarest Angel's Envy bottles anywhere.