Successful Two Bourbon Vattings

[AaronWF]

Well I discovered a very interesting combination tonight, though it's not bourbon on bourbon. In fact, in some circles, you might hear there was no bourbon involved at all, but I have been led to believe that Tennessee Whiskey is indeed bourbon.

I married some THHRye from '09 with Dickel Barrel Select. I really like the DBS, but I definitely wish it was stronger, and I've been finding the vanilla a bit over-powering. I enjoy the Handy more at a slightly lower proof than the 129 straight from the bottle. Put them together, and you get the rich, rounded vanilla and the tin wormwoodiness of the DBS combined with the spicy-hot cinnamon and thick, rough nature of the Handy all in the same breadth.

I haven't yet found the right ratio, but it might lie in a 1:1, though that also might depend on the mood I'm in. I like them each separately; they each have singular qualities that call out to me at different times. So, thinking of them together can be a bit overwhelming, but outside of the box, it may just enhance the intrigue of both at the same time.

[Rockefeller]

As a followup to my PVW15/VWFRR vatting, I just did a 50:50 mix of VW12 and VWFRR.

It is a FAR inferior dram. While the PVW15/VWFRR had an astounding amount of dried fruit on the nose and rich texture, I found the VW12/VWFRR to be a little plain with some straw undertones (it tasted a bit like an overly sweet scotch if that makes any sense).

JMHO, this was a case where the sum was less than the individual parts. Not recommended.

[Gillman]

Definitely agree that the 50-50 won't fly, or rather, if I made it that way I think I'd conclude the same! If you viewed the rye as something to add spice to the VW 12, and e.g. did 80-20 bourbon to the rye, this might produce a good emulation of rye-recipe bourbon that is 12 years old. It would be interesting to compare to Elijah Craig 12, most current bottles of which I find top-notch.

Gary

[c2walker]

I apologize for getting slightly off topic, because this vatting involved no bourbon, but I would call it a success...

Over in the rye forum there has been some discussion about older ryes falling flat after being open for a while and my open bottle of 2011 Saz 18 is a case in point. Since I wasn't enjoying my Saz 18 on its own as much as I had a few months ago, I decided to try it out in my own version of HWs Double Rye. Three days ago I combined 2oz of THH with 2oz of Saz 18 and I let them mingle until tonight. The result is a 109.3 proof rye that has the vibrant, young, rye spiciness of the Handy with the dry, leather, oak, and cocoa notes that I get from Saz 18. Overall, I'd call this a winner, but I'm going to continue experimenting with the ratios. The next mini batch will dial down the Handy. Maybe 3:2 Saz 18 to Handy.

[clingman71]

I went back to my mm-m46 50/50 vatting from a few weeks ago. While I enjoy this more than either individually, I am still playing with the ratios. I just vatted the last of my 46 1:2 with mm. We'll see how that works after a week or two mingling in the bottle. On a different note, I realized the other night that I probably haven't been giving mm its due. I tend to let pours sit anywhere from 10-30 minutes in the glass before tasting, especially wheaters. I realized however, that I don't do this with mm, more like 2 minutes, not exactly fair. Saturday at dinner I ordered makers at a restaurant(ridiculously limited choices) and let it sit a good while. It had a more "round" feel to me, less of the fruit(think orange)and more brown sugar, which I love. This revelation gives me high hopes for the 2:1mm-m46 vatting.

[Gillman]

Here's one I wouldn't have thought would work, but it does, and very well. Knob Creek and 4RSB. The 4RSB I used happened to be somewhat closed in and a little harsh. The KC was rich and sweet but with the Beam orange rind/anise signature a little forward (for me). The KC softens and improves the texture of the 4RSB, whereas the flowers and spice of the latter deepen and improve the taste of the KC. There is still a faint touch of oaky burn from the 4RSB, which may mean I'll add more KC next time, maybe 3:2 would be ideal.

Gary

[clingman71]

Just read through this thread again and it struck me, all the talk of the Weller SB Blend, mixing a younger higher proof with an older lower proof, has anyone tried vatting WT101 with RR10/90?

[fishnbowljoe]

Just read through this thread again and it struck me, all the talk of the Weller SB Blend, mixing a younger higher proof with an older lower proof, has anyone tried vatting WT101 with RR10/90?

I haven't mixed those two, but a couple of years or so ago, I experimented with a vatting of WTRB and RR10/90. Pretty tasty. Very similar in taste to the old RR10/101. I vatted a 750 of that, and brought it to the KBF a couple of years ago. It went over pretty well on the gazebo table. Someone dubbed it "Joe's Reserve". :grin: This was right after Old Crow Reserve made it's debut.

[CorvallisCracker]

I haven't mixed those two, but a couple of years or so ago, I experimented with a vatting of WTRB and RR10/90. Pretty tasty. Very similar in taste to the old RR10/101. I vatted a 750 of that

[fishnbowljoe]

Look on the bright side. At least they didn't call it "Old Joe's Reserve"

Good one Scott. Thank you sir. May I have another? :grin:

[Vosgar]

Old Joe's Reserve"

Damn, how did we let that get past us?

[CorvallisCracker]

Good one Scott. Thank you sir. May I have another? :grin:

Okay.

At least they didn't call it "Joe's Half Breed" :slappin:

You should be more careful of what you ask for.

[JayMonster]

Thinking about vatting some of. my Pure Kentucky XO with my EC12. The taste of these two are so similar. The XO definitely has more wood and spice, but also has a roughness to it. The EC12 is smoother, but less exciting and of course a lower proof. What do you vatters think? 1:1?

[Young Blacksmith]

My strategy would be to toss some in a glass, let it mingle for a few minutes or so, and try it. If you like it, do up a little bottle of it to let it mingle more. Let us know what you think too!

6-8 months ago I put some EWSB '01 and EWB together, and it has turned into something wonderful! I think I'll try adding a little pre-fire EC12 to amp up the rye a bit. MMM, wish it was 5 so I could do it now....:grin:

[Wall Eye]

My local store has been out of OWA and W12 for a long time so I've been craving a nice, easy drinking, lower shelf pour. I was pretty impressed with VOB BIB, but it just seemed to have a little more alcohol bite than I wanted so I picked up a VOB86. It had promise, but was way too laid back.

Solution? I've vatted them at 1:1 and got just what I was looking for - a 6yr, 93pf that's smooth and tasty - for about $13.50 a 750ml. It's weird, but I would bet that this combo would be picked out of a blind taste by most as a wheater - which was what I was looking for anyway.

It isn't going to win any double golds but I'm way impressed with these VOBs - especially for the price.

[luther.r]

I have a couple bottles of OF Prime 1992 that have that great SW sweetness but are pretty weak at 80 proof. I recently did an in-glass mix of 2 parts OWA and 1 part OF Prime, and it was very nice. It added some of that gentle SW elegance and mouthfeel, and gave some additional proof and complexity to the OF. I did a half-bottle OWA vatting that I'm going to give some time, but I have high hopes for this one.

[Gillman]

Right now I've got a vatting of 60% OWA and 40% BT. This particular OWA was a little rough-edged, thin and with a brett-like element in the aftertaste, the BT was better but a little spirity. The combination is softer and more complex than either. I added a touch of water too to bring it down just a bit.

Gary

[JayMonster]

Did a 1:1 of Pure Kentucky XO and Elijah Craig. Turned out exactly as I suspected ... a stronger EC12 with a bit more oak on the finish.

It was fine, and if you are a big EC12 fan and wish it had more pop, then you will like it, but overall it didn't excite me enough to do it again.

[ChainWhip]

How long do you let it "vat"?

[CoMobourbon]

Basil Hayden (still at 8 years) and OGD 114 (or maybe OGD BIB)? This seems stupidly obvious and simple - I understand that they're supposed to be the same juice at different ages and proofs - but I am still interested in advice as to what ratios might work best.

Maybe 50/50? Or would more than 50% BH be needed to significantly alter (smooth out/lighten up/sweeten?) the OGD?

This is interesting because most of the vattings above seem to account mostly for differences in mash bill, especially differences in rye vs. wheat content. A BH and ODG blend seems like a perfect chance to figure out how different ages affect vattings. (I am operating under the assumption that the OGD is little more than half the age of BH.)

*Now that I think about it, the would-be clever plan above is really not so original; doesn't SB blend fit the same pattern (but with wheaters instead of rye bourbons)?

Edited June 30, 2012 by CoMobourbon
Remembered Something Obvious

[Young Blacksmith]

That would be similar to one of my vattings I still have, but I did Heaven Hill. EWB + EWSB + EC12. The EWB was nicely young, but needed a bit more complexity. They EWSB was OK, but needed a bit more sweetness. The EC12 was sweet, but the rye kick at the end was harsh.

All three together made for a nice blend. Not very far from the originals, but just enough to make the bottle finishable.

I say try it, and let us know how it goes!

[CoMobourbon]

Bourbons mixed; will get back in a week or two with a report.

[kyrocklover]

Just mixed a 50/50 split of Rare Breed and Knob Creek. First taste was damn good but the nose was not.

[JayMonster]

How long do you let it "vat"?

I will test at 2 weeks and usually wait 4 weeks. But that is just me, and others may have different periods they allow it to marry.

[Gillman]

I really don't apply any marrying time, I think once you blend them in the bottle, it's done. It would be different if the marriage was barreled and stored for a while because further aging would take place.

I know many feel though that a period of resting in the bottle may help, it may well be so, but I don't think the changes would be significant.

Gary