There are new investments made into multi-million dollar distilleries every week it seems. There are more brands and product extensions popping up everyday. Yet, there’s a shortage of barrels that are putting a strain on existing production. But when all this evens out and everything gets produced as planned, are we going to see an overproduction and what could be the result? Russell’s Reserve is coming out with their new limited edition Single Rickhouse line extension. Sure, it features barrels that are selected from the former Camp Nelson C, but does it warrant a price tag of $250? Lastly, we look at the announcement of Angel’s Envy hiring Owen Martin to be their next Master Distiller. Angel’s Envy hasn’t had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement?

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about who might be the next Dave Pickerell.
• There are more brands and product extensions popping up every day. This is a side effect of the boom but what will happen when everything evens out, production goes as planned, and then we see an overproduction?
• Russell’s Reserve has debuted an all-new, annual limited-edition collection: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse. However, the price tag is $250. Is this deserving of that premium price tag?
• Angel’s Envy hasn’t had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement?
• @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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This Legend Series brings podcast guests, Wes and Kyle Henderson, back on the show with the newest face of the clan joining the family ranks, Andrew. The focus on family touches on the impact Lincoln Henderson made on Angel’s Envy before his passing and what the generations after him remember the most. Fred also tries to squeeze out some juicy details behind sourcing, acquisitions, and favorite bourbons outside of their own.

Show Notes:

• Are you paying more for barrel proof whiskey? Wade Woodard breaks down the math https://tater-talk.com/2018/10/29/value-proposition-of-higher-proof-us-whiskies/
• KY Derby Museum Legend Series are on sale. First one begins in Jan buy your tickets at derbymuseum.org/legendsseries
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick discusses bourbon at large retail chains and it’s impact on local business
• What’s the story about a pickle?
• Talk about your dad, Lincoln Henderson, for a moment
• Was bourbon a part of your childhood?
• What was some nasty stuff you used to drink?
• Andrew, talk about your science experiments
• Is Kyle a good teacher?
• What are the moments you miss Lincoln the most?
• During the initial launch, talk about the process of choosing port barrels.
• It’s a never ending discussion, is this bourbon?
• Would you like to see a special designation for barrel finishes?
• Take us through the process of putting it through the port barrel finish
• Is the barrel dry or wet?
• Where can we purchase the bourbon you use before port finishing?
• Wes, what’s your official title now?
• Let’s try the rye whiskey finished in rum barrels
• Is rye more flexible to blend?
• When Bacardi acquired you, when did they come in as a minority investor?
• What was that time like when you needed capital and needed to raise funds?
• What’s your favorite bourbons outside of Angel’s Envy?
• Lets talk about the Cask Strength Limited Release
• What is your future on an individual basis?
• Where is your warehouse growth needs?
• Talk about the design of the bottle.
• Past Angel’s Envy Podcasts

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Wes Henderson ran with his father’s idea of doing port barrel finished bourbon. He weathered the storm of critics and let the product carve a new path where barrel finishes are now commonplace. It caught the eye of Bacardi and is continuing to grow with their own distillery that’s now up and running. We talk about brand loyalty, social media, acquisitions, and business models when it comes to bourbon and spirits.

Show Notes:

• Wes, you were back on Episode 006 which was back in March of 2015. I mean that was a long time ago! But for all those who just recently joined, lets give a quick recap of who you are, you father, the origins of Angel’s Envy, etc.
• Also, why the port finish?
• Barrel finishes are taking off, do you think you’re delivering a better product than just standard bourbon?
• You know last time we talked, you were talking about trying a sherry finished cask. How has that experiment progressed?
• One of the great things I see consistently out of you is how you connect with the people who drink Angel’s Envy on social media. You respond back to almost every angels envy hashtag thanking the consumer. How does that effect brand loyalty?
• How are you connecting to a wide demographic to bourbon drinkers?
• The last time we saw each other was at Bourbon and Beyond and I thought this can’t be real. When did people in bourbon started getting treated like celebrities. I was there with you hanging out on stage with the bands as they were playing and it was a good time.
• I know I’ve seen you rubbing shoulders with a lot of Hollywood elite now too. I think you’re becoming secret best friends with actress and country music singer Laura Bell Buddy.
• So the last time we talked it was the same exact week Bacardi had announced the take over of Angel’s Envy. How has that been going?
• Was the Bacardi acquisition a big jump in capital that was needed?
• Then why a Distillery if no debt? What was wrong with the sourcing business model?
• You talked about tremendous upside building in Louisville but where’s the risk?
• As the innovation officer, how are you getting your brand into the eyes of more consumers every day?
• Do you think the acquisition train will be coming full steam as bourbon begins to rise?

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We revisit with Kyle Henderson to talk about the past and current production of Angel’s Envy with their new distillery and all the decisions and mistakes that came along with it. Kyle has a great excuse to build a bunker with “competitive tasting” that has amassed him over 1600 bottles of spirits and now he’s getting into barrel aged beers and cigars. Kyle hints at a future of bottled-in-bond Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and putting an end to their sourced whiskey years down the road. What else is in their future? Listen and find out!

Show Notes:

• Kyle, You haven’t been back on the show since episode 13 back in May of 2015. Before we dive into what’s new, talk about you again for a moment.
• How you came up in the ranks, became a part of the family lineage, etc?
• You’re also not a newbie to the bourbon scene. I know you have quite a collection so talk about that too.
• How has your role changed now that this distillery is up and running?
• Now that you have your own distillery, could we see an Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey?
• That’s no where near the amount needed for sustaining supply of your product so sourcing is still a big means. Is there a future plan to cut off sourcing?
• What has it taken for you to get up to speed to now understand distillation as well as outgrowing the co-packer?
• Did you all have input on the design of your stills?
• Talk about on-boarding and finding the right people
• Talk about clocking barrels real quick
• What was the benefit of the Bacardi buy out?
• How many barrels are you pumping out a day?
• That’s no where near the amount needed for sustaining supply of your product so sourcing is still a big means. Is there a future plan to cut off sourcing?

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Kevin Curtis, Distillery Operations Manager, and Kyle Henderson, Production Manager and grandson of Lincoln Henderson, from Angel’s Envy join to talk about their roles and the new distillery in the works.

Show Notes:

• Kevin, how did you get your start?
• What was your role while you were at Brown-Foreman?
• How did your time at Brown-Foreman prepare you for role at Angel’s Envy?
• Kyle, talk about your family lineage with Angel’s Envy.
• Kyle what’s your day to day operation?
• When you’re analyzing the maturity of a port barrel, what are you looking for?
• Kevin, what’s your day to day role as well?
• What do you think makes Angel’s Envy so special and such a success?
• Give us a verbal map of how it goes from 500 East Main Street to the old Yellowstone Distillery.
• When is the expected start date for visitors to come to the distillery?
• How has the Louisville bridge project effected your start date?
• Has the project effected your future forecast?
• What do you want to leave our listeners with?

Wes Henderson, Chief Innovation Officer of Angel’s Envy, joins us to talk about the start of this brand, his father’s heritage, and more

Show Notes:

• What was life like growing up around bourbon with your father’s reputation?
• Talk about the origins of the brand and the design
• Where did the idea for port barrel finishes stem from?
• Talk about the cask strength
• More stores are starting to offer ‘blended’ picks
• What’s going on with the new distillery?