PADUCAH, KY - Saturday was an enjoyable evening with Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson of Angel’s Envy at the 8th annual Distiller’s Dinner. Guests visited with him at a reception before taking their seats for an elegant dinner catered by Laura Duff’s A Pampered Palate. Henderson told the story behind his “masterpiece” Angel’s Envy, an artisan bourbon inspired by a lifetime of perfecting his craft. During 40 years as Master Distiller at Brown-Forman Corporation Henderson developed Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack, and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. After retiring from Brown-Forman, he created Angel’s Envy, recognized as one of the top spirits released in 2010. An inaugural member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame, Henderson holds a judge’s seat at the United Kingdom International Wine and Spirit Competition. A graduate of the University of Louisville with a Chemistry degree, Lincoln Henderson and his wife, Cecilia, live in Lexington.

Angel’s Envy ages in port casks for months after years of distillation and aging in American white oak barrels. This bourbon is unfiltered, retaining more flavor and color. As bourbon ages in barrels, it is drawn into charred white oak in the summer and recedes into virgin barrels in winter. For each year of maturation, 5% of a barrel’s bourbon evaporates. For generations, this lost bourbon has been called the “Angel’s Share.” After tasting his creation, Lincoln Henderson reckoned that the angels might have wanted a bigger cut.  

Proceeds benefit the Carson Center.