Vatting of the month (VOTM) thread to start for September 2015

[BigBoldBully]

This may or may not work out, but it seems to me there is growing interest in vatting bourbons and/or other whiskeys together in an attempt to produce something greater than (or at least pleasantly different than) the sum of its parts. Personally, I have dabbled with this for several years, and consider it a very significant part of the hobby. In fact, whenever I pour from a standard bottling, I ask myself if this is really the best way to use it.

Sometimes, it is simply a matter of financial efficiency or finding ways to employ what you have. If a 1:1 vatting of EC12 and EWBIB is about as enjoyable as EC12 alone in many circumstances, why not go ahead and stretch your whiskey dollars? Many "house blends" I have come up with started with such ideas.

Other times, the goal is to produce an ultimate bourbon sensation. Perhaps no expense need be spared, but using generally available stock is a plus as it allows replication in quantity if the result is pleasing, and also increases the chances that enough of us will be able to try the recipe.

Whether it be about frugality, aspirations to excellence, or sheer variety, I am convinced quite a few of us can manage to get together and try the same nominated vattings on a monthly basis. Imagine how much more information we would gain by dozens of SBers weighing in on the same combinations! Not sure how to decide who would do the selecting, and I certainly have no particular interest in leading, but to kick things off maybe we could just chime in with suggestions and once a frontrunner emerges I will announce the vatting recipe as VOTM for September 2015. (Hopefully in the future someone more qualified, like Gillman, will step in and grab the reins.)

What vatting(s) do you nominate for next month?

[squire]

Flavor foremost but with frugality in mind I nominate a vatting of two BIBs, Barton and Old Grand Dad. I know I've done it and liked it but damned if I can remember well enough to describe it.

[meadeweber]

A few good one out there, SB Blend, Rittlepig.

But I nominate the Fozzy Blend, OGD114 and BT.

[fozzy71]

Flavor foremost but with frugality in mind I nominate a vatting of two BIBs, Barton and Old Grand Dad. I know I've done it and liked it but damned if I can remember well enough to describe it.

I wish we could get Barton up here.

A few good one out there, SB Blend, Rittlepig.

But I nominate the Fozzy Blend, OGD114 and BT.

I am certainly eager to hear more people's thoughts on this blend. I enjoy it quite a bit and bought a dedicated antique decanter for it so I can always have it on hand.

[johnnyflake45]

I believe this thread will catch on and become very interesting. I will participate when I can.

[ReynoldsStrong]

I really like a good MGP rye (like Smooth Ambler) with OGD114 (a high rye bourbon). This works as a 50/50 split and just little water to open it up.

I also really like Stagg Jr and BT in a 25% Sj to 75% BT. No water needed and the BT really drinks much older and higher proof with the Stagg Jr in there.

[BigBoldBully]

Great to see nominations and expressions of interest starting to roll in! Looks as though the Fozzy Blend is in the lead so far, and I really like that both ingredients seem to be widely available.

Squire, have you ever tried the Barton 86 with the OGD (Barton BIB does not make it to my area)?

I will plan on collecting more votes/ideas throughout the day and then starting the VOTM September thread itself tonight. Maybe we could then continue to post nominations in this thread and figure out which will become future selections.

[OldDrinker1978]

Another vote for the Fozzy Blend! 60:40 BT:OGD114 tastes really alot like a slightly rougher version of Blanton's Gold. Same Cognac meets milk chocolate vibe...

[shoshani]

Flavor foremost but with frugality in mind I nominate a vatting of two BIBs, Barton and Old Grand Dad. I know I've done it and liked it but damned if I can remember well enough to describe it.

This is how I normally drink them. There's a synergy of the two together that defies description.

Alternatively, I have also really enjoyed 1:1 vattings of EC12 and Larceny, and also EC12 and Johnny Drum 101. I have not yet hazarded a 1:1:1 of the three yet. Yet.

[flahute]

I tried the fozzy blend straight from the two bottles, (no time to mingle) and thought it was pretty good. I'd be in favor of that one to kick it off and already plan on mixing some to let mingle for a couple days.

[Paddy]

This is a great idea!

Maybe a little too obvious for many here (because we now take it for granted)...but in deference to the 'masters':bowdown:, I'd recommend letting Joe start us off with the SB Blend. Maybe he could add his beautifully eloquent notations :grin:and speak to the history of the mingle.

Just my thoughts starting off, before we go forward...:drink:

[fozzy71]

This is a great idea!

Maybe a little too obvious for many here (because we now take it for granted)...but in deference to the 'masters':bowdown:, I'd recommend letting Joe start us off with the SB Blend. Maybe he could add his beautifully eloquent notations :grin:and speak to the history of the mingle.

Just my thoughts starting off, before we go forward...:drink:

I am fine with this too and it makes perfect sense. I have a near fifth of it in the bunker that has been mingling for a month or two and in fact I was planning to have a sip or two on Wednesday for a birthday pour.

[meadeweber]

This is a great idea!

Maybe a little too obvious for many here (because we now take it for granted)...but in deference to the 'masters':bowdown:, I'd recommend letting Joe start us off with the SB Blend. Maybe he could add his beautifully eloquent notations :grin:and speak to the history of the mingle.

Just my thoughts starting off, before we go forward...:drink:

Paddy, you know what, you are right. I think the first VOTM almost has to be SB Blend for historical purposes.

Sorry Fozzy:frown: I have to change my nomination to SB Blend.

[fozzy71]

hehe, no need for sorry. It makes perfect sense and hopefully that thread gets off the ground by Wed night so I can have my birthday pour and read everyone's thoughts on the blend. My 60:40 OWA:W12 is ready and waiting. I have one OWA bunkered and I am hoping to find another W12 before my SB blend bottle is emptied.

[OldDrinker1978]

yeah, Sb Blend is of course another good vote! Love that one! Right now I am drinking a "leftovers from different bottles blend" featuring FRYellow/WT101/MM/OGD80 -> well, it shouldn't be a vatting of the month...ever!

[BigBoldBully]

At first I thought including the SB Blend would be redundant, since it is already well known to be a success and our purpose is to identify other potentially great vattings. But it does somehow feel appropriate to devote the first month to it anyway, sort of an honoring of our vatting heritage. And it will of course be fun to see a lot of detailed tasting notes, opinions about optimal ratio, and other information about it in one place.

So I propose VOTM #1 (September) SB Blend, VOTM #2 (October) Fozzy Blend. As an aside, I also like the idea of giving each blend/vatting a name, both to make them easier to reference and to further encourage creative exploration and sharing--after all, becoming associated with a highly regarded vatting = a form of bourbon immortality! :cool:

[dcbt]

This is a good thread idea. I used to vat up the wazoo, but I've since calmed down a bit on it. Always game for new ideas, though. Ron's Four Grain deserves a mention here from yesteryear, though I wouldn't anticipate many people making it (GTS, EW1783, and MM). I keep a related substitute in my decanter at all times: Stagg Jr, ECBP, MMCS, and H2O.

[squire]

. . . . Squire, have you ever tried the Barton 86 with the OGD . . . .

Yes I have. Local stores went through a spell when they only stocked the 86 proof Barton (still 6 years old at the time) and I found the dark fruit elements of Barton mixed well with OGD's rye punch. Makes me thirsty thinking about it.

[BigBoldBully]

Yes I have. Local stores went through a spell when they only stocked the 86 proof Barton (still 6 years old at the time) and I found the dark fruit elements of Barton mixed well with OGD's rye punch. Makes me thirsty thinking about it.

[OldDrinker1978]

First blend I ever tried and it's a lovely one. It sort of adds the "midrange" to the Weller 12 and adds refinement and age to OWA while dialing down its heat. Also after mingling for a month or two the woody, rum-like cigar box notes are greatly enhanced which I enjoy thoroughly I must say. I haven't much left and Weller 12 is increasingly harder to get in Germany so lately I tried the blend with 6 Parts OWA and 4 Parts VSO Fitzgerald 12 - not quite as good but also highly recommended!

Edited September 1, 2015 by OldDrinker1978

[BigBoldBully]

Thanks Fozzy for recommending this thread to those of us who would like to nominate future VOTMs. I believe I saw what can be interpreted as a vote for a 1:1 vatting of Squire's bonded VOB and OGD, and one for either Stagg JR/BT or ECBP/EC12.

[Harry in WashDC]

I posted this on the thread about the mad vatter striking again/vatting 2014. I should have psoted it here.

"Earlier this week, I did a 1:1 of bonded VOB and OGD and set it aside. When it (the VOB/OGD blend) appears on the VOTM, I'll open it. We get no Weller 12 here so the SB blend is just a dream for me."

[BigBoldBully]

I posted this on the thread about the mad vatter striking again/vatting 2014. I should have psoted it here.

"Earlier this week, I did a 1:1 of bonded VOB and OGD and set it aside. When it (the VOB/OGD blend) appears on the VOTM, I'll open it. We get no Weller 12 here so the SB blend is just a dream for me."

Thanks, Harry. Looks like my mention of your hint beat your post by a few seconds! I am sure we will be getting around to the VOB/OGD blend in the not too distant future.

[flahute]

I first did the Stagg Jr./BT blend about a year and a half ago and highly recommend it. It also works with OC8 for those that can get it, but BT is common so that's the way to go.

[meadeweber]

Thanks Fozzy for recommending this thread to those of us who would like to nominate future VOTMs. I believe I saw what can be interpreted as a vote for a 1:1 vatting of Squire's bonded VOB and OGD, and one for either Stagg JR/BT or ECBP/EC12.

I remember reading on here recently that someone opined that ECBP with a little water was better than ECBP + EC12.