Blue Hanger is a highly acclaimed blended malt (vatting) by Berry Bros. & Rudd. The name goes back to 1932, but faded away until being revived in 2003. This sixth edition is moving away from the usual (unpeated) sherried style and introduces an Islay-oriented vatting. It contains four casks:
- Glenrothes 1990
- Bunnahabhain 1990
- Bowmore 1980
- Bowmore 1987
Blue Hanger ‘6th limited release’
(45,6%, Berry Bros. & Rudd 2012, 2223 btl.)
Blue Hanger ‘6th limited release’Nose: hmm not entirely fresh. It starts smoky and chocolaty, with walnut cake and a leafy, earthy base. Figs and dates alongside a tarry whiff and a mustiness. Some honey. But it also shows a sulphury note and oxo broth that I also found in single cask Bunna 1990. Slightly messing up the rest of the nose, in my opinion, but not to the point where it becomes really dirty.
Mouth: not really full, it shows dark smoke and sharp, leathery overtones, but there’s not enough in the middle to give it real depth. Quite a salty palate. Aniseed and cinnamon. Dark chocolate. Also a few perfumy notes, is that the old Bowmore talking? Hmm…
Finish: long, lots of cocoa and lapsang tea.
Blending 22 to 32 years old quality malt whisky can’t go wrong, you’d think, yet this one surprised me. Blue Hanger is usually much better. Around € 100 (significantly cheaper in the UK).
Score: 81/100