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Berry Bros. & Rudd Blue Hangar 6th Release (Bottled 2012)

Blue Sherry Bomb

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@talexanderReview by @talexander

21st Nov 2013

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Berry Bros. & Rudd Blue Hangar 6th Release (Bottled 2012)
  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    19
  • Finish
    15
  • Balance
    19
  • Overall
    74

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Distribution of ratings for this: user

  • Brand: Berry Bros. & Rudd
  • ABV: 45.6%

Berry Bros. & Rudd is a very old wine and spirits merchant in London. Established in the 17th century, they also selected casks and bottled their own whisky, much like other establishments such as John Walker & Sons. They continue to bottle all sorts of single malts, and are one of the better known premium independent bottlers.

Blue Hangar is an annual release of blended malt, made by Doug McIvor from an unknown number of malts. The whisky is non-coloured and non-chill-filtered.

The colour is burnished copper. On the nose, dates, rum-raisin and the faintest trace of peat. Also a trace of sulphur, or something metallic - this is very sherried. Fruity with blood orange and blackberries - I'm sure there are a lot of Speyside malts in here. Vanilla pods. Extremely rich, less so with water.

On the palate, spices such as cloves, more vanilla and some sulphurous wood. Still something metallic here that is throwing me off, which seems to become more prominent with a drop of water. Milk chocolate, Christmas spices and coffee grounds. A step down from the nose, for sure, but very interesting.

The finish is rather bitter, leaving traces of smoke from a freshly extinguished matchstick. A bit like a red wine that's gone slightly off after the bottle's been open for a few days - not a pleasant finish. Whisky Advocate awarded this the Best Blend/Blended Malt Award this year, but I fail to see why. It is undoubtedly interesting, especially if you love sherry bombs, but I find the off notes a little too challenging.

Nose:

Body:

Palate:

4 comments

@wtrstrnghlt
wtrstrnghlt commented

Next Wednesday I'll be attending a Whisky nosing and tasting hosted by Doug McIver. It would be interesting if I'll be able to taste this one (or is there already a 7th release for 2013), although it's not a winner for you.

Don't know what to expect really since I've never tasted a Berry's or Glenrothes, of which they seem to be the owners.

11 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Well, I'd be curious to know what you think of it! It is award-winning and many love it so my opinion is clearly very subjective. However, I have turned it into an interesting cocktail variation of the Rusty Nail:

3/4 oz Blue Hangar 6th release 3/4 oz SMWS G7.5 Smoky Werther's Original 1 oz Orangerie (Compass Box's liqueur)

Pretty damn delicious. Am drinking it while watching The Hunger Games (thought I should watch it before the sequel opens tomorrow. Thought it was good, not great. But I'll watch anything with Jennifer Lawrence, who I love in every way a man can love a woman).

11 years ago 0

@wtrstrnghlt
wtrstrnghlt commented

It was a great tasting by Doug McIver. A man with a good sense of humor. He didn't bring the Blue Hangar though....

I did get to taste a 12y old Grain, which was a first timer for me. Then some fruity Auchroisk and Inchgower, both very clean, good malts.

After that my first non sherried Aberlour, at cask strength. Great 19y old Whisky. Think A'Bunadh without the Sherry influence.

The highlight of the evening was a 22y cask strength Bunnahabhain, that has spend all it's time in a Sherry cask. Excellent Whisky. Full of flavour, slight hint of peat like when I first opened my Laddie Ten. Big bold sherry flavors, but not as sharp as a GF 105 or A'Bunadh. Much older of course.

Last one was a vatting of Arbeg, Laproaigh and Bowmore, with this last distillery having the upper hand. Personally a little disappointing as I like the first two much more.

The Bunna was a clear winner, a little expensive at €140,- so I'm still in doubt wether to buy this one.

10 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Wow, that really does sound like a great tasting! Would love to try all of those...

10 years ago 0