A blend of 4-year and 9-year Kentucky straight bourbons, finished for two additional years in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks. The Founder’s Day release honoring Lincoln Henderson.

Angel’s Envy was founded by Lincoln Henderson the legendary Master Distiller who spent 40 years at Brown-Forman creating Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other landmark American whiskeys. The Founders Day release is an annual tribute produced by his sons Wes and Kyle in collaboration with the distillery team, honoring Lincoln’s legacy and his lifelong fascination with Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

The Mizunara Oak finish is the technical centerpiece. Mizunara (Quercus mongolica) is a Japanese oak species that imparts incense, sandalwood, coconut, and spice notes with no equivalent in American or European oak and it takes 200 years to mature to a size suitable for barrel production. The two-year finish in hand-selected, charred Mizunara casks transforms the bourbon significantly: the port barrel base character of standard Angel’s Envy gives way to something more exotic and aromatic, layered with the distinctive Japanese oak signature that has made Mizunara-finished spirits some of the most sought-after in the world.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep amber with warm Mizunara-influenced tones.
• Aroma: Fragrant and complex incense, sandalwood, coconut, and a warm spice from the Mizunara, layered over the bourbon’s caramel and vanilla base.
• Palate: Rich and distinctive the 4 and 9 year bourbon components provide structure, while the Mizunara finish delivers a depth of aromatic complexity not found in any other Angel’s Envy expression.
• Finish: Long and evolving Japanese oak spice and incense fading into warm caramel.

Specs

• Distillery: Angel’s Envy, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Components: 4-year and 9-year bourbon
• Finish: 2 years in hand-selected, charred Japanese Mizunara oak casks
• Release: Limited Founder’s Day Edition
• Size: 750ml

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

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Mizunara oak and why is it rare? Mizunara (Quercus mongolica) is a Japanese oak species that imparts incense, sandalwood, coconut, and spice notes found nowhere in Western oak production. It takes 200 years to mature to barrel-making size, making it genuinely scarce. Mizunara-finished spirits are among the most sought-after in premium whisky globally.
• Who was Lincoln Henderson? Lincoln Henderson spent 40 years at Brown-Forman as a Master Distiller, creating Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack among other landmark American whiskeys. He founded Angel’s Envy with his sons after retirement, pioneering the port barrel finish that defines the core expression. The Founders Day release honors his legacy annually.
• How does the Mizunara finish differ from Angel’s Envy’s standard port barrel finish? The standard Angel’s Envy uses ruby port wine barrel finishing, producing a sweeter, fruit-forward profile. The Mizunara finish produces incense, sandalwood, and exotic spice a dramatically different aromatic direction. The Mizunara edition is more complex, more exotic, and more limited.
• Is the Founders Day Mizunara Oak a limited release? Yes the Founders Day series is produced annually in limited quantities and is not restocked once sold out. The Mizunara Oak edition is one of the most sought-after releases in the series.

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