Owen Martin - BourbonSphere

In His Words: Angel’s Envy Master Distiller, Owen Martin

What’s different between what I do now versus what I did at Stranahan’s was operating mostly as a blender and finding complementary finishing casks. I really enjoyed that, but to come here was an opportunity to do that on a bigger playground.

Nearly two years ago, Owen Martin accepted the master distiller’s job at Louisville Distilling Co., home to Angel’s Envy Bourbon. In multiple conversations with him, he’s made clear that moving to Kentucky was “stepping up to the big leagues” of American distilling. In his six years making American single malt at Stranahan’s Whiskey Distillery in Denver, he learned a lot about blending and cask finishing, skills beneficial for the job in Louisville.

He'd been told the camaraderie among Kentucky distilleries was strong, but he said it’s exceeded all expectations. What’s also impressed him is the access to a wide range of high-quality, affordable finishing casks available through Bacardi, owner of Angel’s Envy. He views these casks as levers to create a variety of new and unique finished cask releases for the brand that started that trend in bourbon.

Following are his words about working in Kentucky and how Angel’s Envy’s first non-finished release, a Bottled-In-Bond, was created.

Angel’s Envy Announces Two New Releases – Cask Strength Rye and 2023 Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Angel’s Envy has announced two new expressions… A Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels and a Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels. These expressions mark the fi…

Angel's Envy has announced two new expressions... A Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels and a Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels. These expressions mark the first releases under the helm of Master Distiller Owen Martin, who joined the brand last fall and will be available starting December 1st in select markets.

Angel's Envy Master Distiller Owen Martin says:

"We are always looking to push the boundaries of innovation at Angel's Envy. It was thrilling to kick off my journey with the best-in-class team at the distillery on the 12th Annual Cask Strength Bourbon and the first-ever limited-edition Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. With my deep background in maturing, blending, and finishing whiskey, I've been able to share a unique perspective on the Angel's Envy's award-winning Cask Strength program, and am looking forward to this next chapter with the brand.

The Cask Strength Rye is the brand's first time releasing a limited-edition Rye Whiskey at Cask Strength and will have 5,500 bottles will be available for purchase for an MSRP of $269.99. The Cask Strength Bourbon will have 22,656 bottles available at select retailers in all 50 U.S. states for an MSRP of $229.99.

The Cask Strength Rye (114.4-proof; 57.2% alcohol) features creamy notes of pears, cream, and rye spice on the palate, which lead into a finish of cream soda, black tea, and a floral sweetness.

The Cask Strength Bourbon (118.2-proof; 59.1% alcohol) is creamy, indulgent, and complex. The release includes creamy notes of cherry, caramel, and marshmallow on the palate, which lead into a finish of baking spice, oak tannins, and red wine.

My Take

Neither of these releases get me over excited. The price is super-high and I'm not a huge Angel's Envy fan because of the additional aging in the Port barrels.

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below.

Source: Angel's Envy

The Outlander and the Distiller

Actor Sam Heughan is best known for his starring role on TV’s “Outlander,” but he’s a whisky lover, too. Sam started his own whisky brand,… Read More

Actor Sam Heughan is best known for his starring role on TV’s “Outlander,” but he’s a whisky lover, too. Sam started his own whisky brand, The Sassenach, and he’ll join us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth to talk about his love for whisky. We’ll also hear from the new master distiller at Angel’s Envy, Owen Martin. He’s just unveiled this year’s Angel’s Envy Cask Strength releases, a Bourbon, and for the first time, a Rye. In the news, Pernod Ricard is planning a new distillery on Islay, while Compass Box wants to build one in the Highlands.

Angel’s Envy Names New Master Distiller – Owen Martin

Angel’s Envy has announced that they have hired renowned beard grower, Owen Martin as Master Distiller beginning on October 17. Martin is the first appointed Master Distiller of Angel’s Envy since co-founder and Master Distiller Lincoln Hende…

Angel's Envy has announced that they have hired renowned beard grower, Owen Martin as Master Distiller beginning on October 17. Martin is the first appointed Master Distiller of Angel's Envy since co-founder and Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson's passing in 2013.

Gigi DaDan, General Manager of Angel's Envy says:

Angel's Envy has always strived to revere tradition while embracing progress, so when looking for our new Master Distiller, we knew we needed to find someone who fully embodied that philosophy and innovative spirit. Owen's experience in product development and experimentation and his progressive outlook regarding what's next for the industry, as well as the leadership he has demonstrated throughout his career in defining and championing American whiskey categories, make him a perfect fit to lead Angel's Envy into our exciting future.

Owen comes from Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey where he spent six years moving up the ranks and where he most recently served as Master Distiller.

Here's to wishing Owen Martin success in his new role.

Source: Angel's Envy

Happy Hour Live with Steve Beal, David Blackmore, Ewan Morgan, and Owen Martin (Episode 894: September 1, 2021)

Make sure your battery’s charged for this one, since we spent nearly two hours talking the other night with longtime Scotch Whisky and Bourbon ambassdors Steve Beal, David Blackmore, and Ewan Morgan, along with Stranahan’s head distiller Owen Martin. We covered everything from Steve’s ongoing fight against pancreatic cancer to life on the road and Owen’s latest distillery exclusive bottling for Stranahan’s. Join us each Friday night for our #HappyHourLive webcast at 5pm New York time on the WhiskyCast YouTube channel, our Facebook page, Twitter, and Twitch. Links: Stranahan’s | Glenmorangie | Ardbeg | Classic Malts | Bulleit Bourbon

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Links: Stranahan’s | Glenmorangie | Ardbeg | Classic Malts | Bulleit Bourbon