Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK's longest-standing wine and spirits merchant, has officially unveiled the highly anticipated 14th edition of its celebrated Blue Hanger blended malt after more than a decade. 

The Blue Hanger 14th Edition is a marriage of aged malt whiskies, the youngest of which is 26 years old. The blend was composed from seven casks: six ex-bourbon hogsheads and one ex-sherry butt.

Blue Hanger has historically not been defined by a fixed flavour profile, and individual editions have varied in character, some built around sherried depth, while others lean into coastal smoke. According to the official tasting notes:

Nose: Milk chocolate and soft caramel ease into citrus peel and stewed fruits, the sherry cask influence adding quiet depth

Palate: Has an unctuous oiliness, carrying barley sweets and orchard fruit, with caramel wrapping around it all.

Finish: A dusting of baking spice adds lift, leading to a finish which gently trails into mellow chocolate and sweet fruits notes.

The past thirteen editions of the Blue hanger has seen the series build a dedicated cult following among whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike, with earlier releases now highly sought-after on the secondary market.

The whisky's name is drawn from the sartorial flair of William "Blue" Hanger, the 3rd Lord Coleraine and one of Berry Bros. & Rudd’s most stylish 18th-century regulars. Just as Lord Coleraine was defined by his signature azure outfits, the Blue Hanger collection is said to be defined by its meticulous curation.

A record belonging to Lord Coleraine in BBR's weight ledgers.

Originally created for the diplomatic export market in 1934, Blue Hanger went off the radar decades before being properly revived in 2003 by (then) Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Spirits Manager Doug McIvor.

Now, after more than a decade since the last release, the series has been resurrected by the company’s Spirits Curator Felix Dear.

Bottled at 45.6% ABV with a limited run of just 2,500 bottles, Blue Hanger 14th Edition will be available for purchase from 3 March 2026, exclusively through bbr.com. at an MSRP of £120.00.

From April 2026, Blue Hanger 14th Edition will roll out to selected whisky specialists across the UK, with further availability in key international markets.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team