Blue Hanger blended malt by Berry Bros & Rudd
A blast from the past is the return of Berry Bros & Rudd’s blended malt Blue Hanger. To be honest, I had kind of forgotten about the brand, so I dived into the Whiskybase. Maybe it is not weird that it disappeared behind my horizon in the rear view mirror. It seems the last Blue Hanger was released in 2016. Correct me if I am wrong, good people at BBR! In any case, I quaffed quite a few of them back in the day, when I started out in whisky. The label was a thing of beauty. Such class, just dripping off the glass, amazing. Still, it was also a “vatted malt”, a category soon renamed to “blended malt”, but still a concept to be a little snobbish about 20 to 25 years ago. Look at the current day market and you’ll find the tables have turned considerably!
Via the Dutch importer Craft Spirits I was able to receive the newest Blue Hanger. Coincidence or not, my good whisky friend Robbert also slipped me a sample of an older version. We will try both, the oldest first to warm up.
Blue Hanger 9th Limited Release, bottled at 45,6 % abv by Berry Bros & Rudd
First things first: Bottled in 2013 as the 9th edition. No further information but it seems this is low on sherry, so not quite how I remember the early editions.
Upon Sipping: Very fresh on cut grass, and then somebody walked by and sprinkled apricot and vanilla in the remains. It evolves nicely, with a basket of yellow apples and overripe pear. Whiffs of candy. I have a feeling this leans heavily on Speyside malt. The arrival on the palate is very gentle and vanilla drenched. Quite austere, until you move on to the finish. There is some spectacle to be found there, as this Blue Hanger says goodbye with a good deal of smoke. Some bitter oaky notes, revealing that this must have some maturity. There is no age statement on the label, sadly. With some water the nose reveals more fruit, but all in all the whisky remains close to the core ingredients. Lots of malty pleasure, with an ashy exit.
Word to the Wise: It offers just enough complexity to move beyond the 80 point line, but still it remains light. The Blue Hanger I know and love was never intended as a simple everyday sipper, but that is what you get with this one. Playing the guessing game, and assuming that BBR had easy access to Edrington stock via Glenrothes, I would say this carries elements of bourbon matured Tamdhu, Glenturret and some Highland Park to create the ashy notes.
Score: 83 points.
Blue Hanger 14th Limited Edition, bottled at 45,6 % abv by Berry Bros & Rudd
First things first: Bottled in 2026 as the 14th edition, and we have more information! This is a vatting of six bourbon hogsheads and one sherry butt. This resulted in 2500 bottles of blended malt whisky, of which the youngest is 26 years old.
Upon Sipping: Ah yes, this is considerably richer, with a lot of fudgy notes on the nose. When you get through the sherry influences you will pick up fruity notes. Some elements of tropicality. I am a sucker for this style. There is a dirty edge to be found too, some cask wood, hints of spices, all adding to complexity. On the tongue, the signature softness I suppose, very alike the previous sample, creamy chocolate and delicate spices. Again, the finish carries the biggest surprise, with the repeat blast of those ashes and smoke. I really like this subtle signature which must have been a blender’s delight to put on there. The low abv makes the finishing punch lacking some impact, but we can live with that. There is also lingering fruity note in there, hidden among the smoke, some kumquat it seems. The tropical elements gain power with patience. Just let the glass breathe and do not be afraid to use the pipette to activate the oils in there. Then you are in for a treat!
Word to the Wise: This Blue Hanger breathes luxury, despite its low abv. It delivers a lot of different elements, with subtle smokiness and increasingly dominant fruits. Good stuff!
Score: 87 points.