Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in port wine barrels. Credit: Angel's Envy.

US-based craft distiller Angel’s Envy is set to expand the footprint of its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels in the Canadian market.

The company will distribute its port-finished bourbon in select on-premise accounts in Vancouver and Montreal.

Angel’s Envy co-founder and chief innovation officer Wes Henderson said: “Bourbon has long been a favourite spirit of our neighbours up north, so we’re thrilled to share Angel’s Envy and its unique flavour profile with a larger Canadian audience, including the fans we’ve already been fortunate enough to make along the way.”

With 43.3% alcohol by volume (ABV), Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels has been handcrafted in Louisville, Kentucky.

Aged for nearly six years in 60-gallon ruby port wine casks made from French oak, the new expression has been blended in small batches of eight to 12 barrels at a time.

The whiskey expression offers notes of subtle vanilla, raisins, maple syrup and toasted nuts on the nose and notes of vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup, toast and bitter chocolate on the palate. It finishes with a clean and lingering sweetness and a hint of Madeira.

Angel’s Envy marketing director Jay Needham said: “As the second-largest bourbon market behind the US, we believe that the Canadian market presents Angel’s Envy with significant opportunity for growth.

“Thanks to our close proximity, we’ve been fortunate to build a fan base in the market ahead of our official launch. We’ve already seen Canadian consumers express interest in our bourbon and our story, both on social media and while visiting us at our distillery in Louisville.”