Owen Martin, Master Distiller at Angels Envy, joins EmbellishPod to discuss the unique challenge of stewarding a bourbon brand through time. From honoring Lincoln Henderson's pioneering legacy of cask finishing to innovating with new grain bills and experimental finishes, Owen reveals what it's like to simultaneously preserve tradition, manage current production, and lay the groundwork for releases that won't see bottles for years to come.

In this candid conversation, we explore Owen's journey from Scottish distilleries to American single malt at Stranahan's, and ultimately to Angels Envy where he's pushing the boundaries of what cask-finished bourbon can be. Learn about the innovative barrel-aged water project, the complexities of sourcing finishing casks from around the world, and how Angels Envy is expanding beyond their classic port-finished bourbon into international markets with unique expressions.

Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast, a whiskey nerd, or simply curious about the craft behind the bottle, this episode offers an insider's look at the art and science of modern bourbon making.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:52 - Meet Owen Martin: The Elevator Pitch

02:21 - From Scotland to Stranahan's: An Unconventional Path

05:02 - Why Angels Envy? The Cask Finishing Connection

08:48 - What is Cask Finishing and Why Does It Matter?

12:07 - Defining "Mature Whiskey" for Finishing

14:31 - Sourcing and Selecting Finishing Casks

16:45 - Keeping Innovation in Check: The ADHD Question

19:05 - Small Scale vs. Large Scale Trials

20:25 - Working Within the Bacardi Portfolio

22:25 - The Barrel-Aged Water Experiment

28:33 - Innovation Grain Bills: Beyond 72-18-10

32:36 - Exploring New Small Grains and Malts

36:07 - The Challenge of the Three Acts

39:03 - Sourced vs. Own Distillate: The Evolution

42:39 - The Blender's Philosophy

45:53 - Owen's Vision: Act Three for Angels Envy

49:23 - Recent Releases: Cask Strength 10 and More

52:44 - Age Statements and Brand Maturity

54:20 - Final Thoughts and Thanks

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