Berry Bros & Rudd Blue Hanger 11th Release

Blue Hanger is a blended malt from Berry Bros & Rudd with an ironclad reputation (I can hardly believe I have never tried this before). It was named after William Hanger who, always dressed in blue, was a regular customer at BBR in London. This 11th Release, from 2014, is a vatting of 8 casks: 4 hogsheads, 3 sherry butts and 1 puncheons. It contains both peated and unpeated Bunnahabhain. Let us get to it!

White fruit, marzipan, something floral and some plasticine. That is this nose in a nutshell. It has a mild smoky side that I really like. It reminds me a bit of Ardmore in that regard. Some sour cream and yellow apples and… do not laugh… superglue.

On the palate, the sweetness comes first, then the smoke. Again mostly apples, but also a slice of lemon. The smoke develops slowly but surely. Very controlled, I must say. It has something chalky, as if I have a small rock in my mouth. Becomes sweeter all the time. A tad too much to my taste, actually. Hint of mocha and coffee beans.

In the short finish, the smoke returns on a creamy fruitiness.

I am not sure why this one is so praised. It did not really tock my boat. Do not get me wrong, this is a very fine blended malt. But many people told me this was heavenly. I beg to differ. Around 115 EUR.