Don’t let this nasty Blue Monday (and/or your DryJanuary resolutions) put you down this year and cheer the hell up with a dram (or two)! And as I know this sounds like an appealing perspective (or at least, that’s how I hope it sounds…), I especially selected 3 tasty “blue” whiskies for you to discover or rediscover! See, I could have gone the mainstream and Captain-Obvious-sponsored path with a Johnny Walker Blue Label – which would have definitely fit the theme – but hey, I’m happy to spend hours digging the utmost depths of the internet for more uncommon expressions. Here’s therefore my special “Blue Whiskies Against Blue Monday” shortlist (And don’t take this too litterally, none of them are actually blue – and if they happen to be, please ask your merchant for a refund):
A gorgeous creation from Balcones in Waco, Texas. They make their True Blue corn whisky using blue corn, which makes a mighty fine tortilla chip and (so it seems) a mighty fine whisky too! It’s unique and also pretty dangerous, as blue corn contains a high oil content, which when mixed with heat from distillation can become somewhat… Flammable. The risk is worth it, however, as True Blue is a true blue winner.
Blue Hanger – 9th Release (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
This is the ninth release of Blue Hanger, an exceptional series of blended malt whiskies from Berry Brothers & Rudd. It was named after William Hanger, who got the nickname Blue Hanger because he wore blue quite a lot.
The ninth release pulls back the reins of the sherry cask whisky in the blend, choosing to add some peated whisky instead, which gives this expression a brilliant little twist on the nose and palate.
In a Bluebell Wood – 1995 (Wemyss Malts) Glen Grant
In A Bluebell Wood might sound like the start of a poem or a fantasy story, but it’s actually the descriptive name given to this Wemyss bottling of single malt Scotch whisky from the Glen Grant. It was distilled in 1995, matured in a single barrel and bottled in 2014 with an outturn of 242 bottles.