Mike Mignola’s Hellboy took comic book fans by storm when it arrived in bookstores in 1994. Since then it’s grown to become a pop culture sensation. A hit character and supernatural world outside the caped crusaders of comicdom, Hellboy stories earned Dark Horse comics creators a dozen Eisner Awards and inspired numerous tie-ins, from novels, to video games, to animated films and live action feature films. Next year Stranger Things star David Harbour will don the Hellboy (sawed-off) horns and bring the next live action film to theaters, and fans can hardly wait. Check out the first marketing photos released of him below. The film also is set to feature stars like Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Daniel Dae Kim, Brian Gleeson, Sophie Okonedo, and Alistair Petrie.
Dark Horse Comics has let Hellboy branch out beyond the normal comic book tie-in realm. He’s inspired a draft ale, a wine, and now a very appropriate addition: Hellboy Hell Water Cinnamon Whiskey. We’ve tried cinnamon whiskey before (umm… you know, at holiday parties and whatnot), but Hellboy’s whiskey is firey red like the man himself (instead of the orange of most brands) and tastes a lot like liquefied Red Hots cinnamon candy with a similar heat. It also sports a sleek collectible bottle and has some clever in-universe information on the label, “American soldiers discovered Hellboy on December 23rd, 1944, after a Nazi experiment brought him into our world. Dedicated to the B.P.R.D.” Best of all, the XXX Distillery made the whiskey “66.6”% Proof, so you know this is 100% Hellboy.
Hellboy Hell Water has a smooth whiskey flavor, but it also packs a bite. You can find plenty of mixed drink ideas at the distributor’s website, HellboyHellWater.com. We mixed up a mocha latte 3 to 1 with Hellboy Hell Water to make a strong Mexican style coffee. With the November chill already laying its stake into your chest you might also try a hot apple cider 3 to 1 parts with Hell Water. We used a great local maker, Louisburg Cider, and its pulpy quality seemed to blend just right (and it seemed to clear away a Fall head cold, too). And if cider and coffee aren’t your thing, add a shot to a mug of hot chocolate for some cocoa cheer with an extra kick instead of peppermint schnapps.
Whiskey has also long been used in cooking, and in baking we’d suggest giving this new version a try in your favorite apple pie recipe for some unique cinnamon notes. But don’t follow the recipes that add only a tablespoon of the spirit, because you really need about 1/4 cup (at a minimum) for the flavor to bake through and not get cooked away.
Hellboy Hell Water can be ordered online here or inquire at your local liquor store. It may add an extra zip to your holiday party plans and warm you up after being out in the cold this winter.
Check out more information on Hellboy Hell Water Cinnamon Whiskey at HellboyHellWater.com. No release date has yet been set, but look for David Harbour starring as Hellboy in theaters sometime in 2018.
C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com
