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

[cnybrbnhntr]

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 vote for the last two!

[dcbt]

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

That was me. I actually don't even have EC12 on my bar right now. Diluted ECBP is so delicious...

[meadeweber]

That was me. I actually don't even have EC12 on my bar right now. Diluted ECBP is so delicious...

[dcbt]

Yes, sorry dcbt for not giving you credit. I was thinking about mixing my ECBP with EC12 but have just continued to just add water since I read your post. Maybe I should mix up one glass of ECBP and EC12 just to MAKE SURE you are right. :grin:

Edited September 9, 2015 by dcbt

[ken_mays]

I tried the OGD/VOB mix over the weekend. The flavors are very complementary and I prefer the mix over either alone.

[BigBoldBully]

I tried OGDBIB with Barton 86, and my opinion is while the OGD improves the Barton, it (OGD) is better on its own. Then again, my family size bottle of Barton has developed a serious bubble gum essence and I'm just not into it.

[flahute]

No worries. amg actually just posted today something similar in another vatting thread as well, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way!

Edit to add: similarly, I also prefer diluted Stagg Jr over Stagg Jr / BT...

[fozzy71]

For Stagg Jr. batch 3, I totally agree with this. The beauty of adding BT works best with batch 1 and 2 which has some rough edges. Batch 3 is just fine on its own and I only add water to it.

[johnnyflake45]

I am curious as to how much water you add per ounce/jigger. I don't think I have ever watered down anything yet but I did buy some droppers in case I ever wanted to.

this is really something you'll need to experiment with. Adding water is actually a good thing in many cases. It helps to open up the spirit and brings out more subtle flavors, often not noticed in a simple neat pour. Personally, I find that a teaspoon of really cold Evian Water, mixed into a 2 oz pour, really brings out the flavors. Let the drink set for a few minutes after mixing.

[flahute]

I am curious as to how much water you add per ounce/jigger. I don't think I have ever watered down anything yet but I did buy some droppers in case I ever wanted to.

With a typical 1.5 oz pour (always approximate) I use an eye dropper and add 4-6 drops, taste, and adjust if necessary. Sometimes that's all it takes, sometimes it's still too hot so I add a little more. Don't be afraid to add some water. I can drink the monster proofs neat but choose not to because when I do, I burn out my palate quickly.

[BigBoldBully]

so we're considering bourbon + water to be a vatting now? :shocked:

jk, of course, but raising the relevant issue of alternatives to vattings also makes me think about vattings with non-alcoholic elements added, and/or vattings specifically designed for use in (or discovered to be particularly suited to use in) cocktails.

[johnnyflake45]

so we're considering bourbon + water to be a vatting now? :shocked:

jk, of course, but raising the relevant issue of alternatives to vattings also makes me think about vattings with non-alcoholic elements added, and/or vattings specifically designed for use in (or discovered to be particularly suited to use in) cocktails.

I most certainly would not consider bourbon, whiskey, rye, etc + water a form of vatting. However, the question was asked, post #33, thus the response. IMHO, mixing a spirit, with anything other than another spirit, is simply a mixed drink, not a vatting.

[fozzy71]

Revisiting my BT:OGD114 blend tonight and this is a really good mingle if I do say so myself. I still haven't bothered trying different ratios, maybe one day when this big antique decanter runs low.

[BigBoldBully]

I most certainly would not consider bourbon, whiskey, rye, etc + water a form of vatting. However, the question was asked, post #33, thus the response.

No offense intended; I was just joking. (jk=just kidding) :grin:

IMHO, mixing a spirit, with anything other than another spirit, is simply a mixed drink, not a vatting.

Generally I would agree with thus, although there may be some seriously blurred lines. Since many spirits are permitted to incorporate flavorings of various sorts, it seems to me difficult to distinguish between a "vatting" including at least one such spirit, and a "mixed drink" that ultimately combines the identical ingredients in the form of base spirits plus the flavorings. Maybe we could just call such mixtures, whichever way achieved, "flavored vattings"?

[gohrmund]

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

But I nominate the Fozzy Blend, OGD114 and BT.

I drank half a bottle of the Fozzy Blend last night, BT114 is what I call it.

[fozzy71]

I drank half a bottle of the Fozzy Blend last night, BT114 is what I call it.

I will admit I am partial to the former name for personal reasons but the latter is a good name for it also (even though it works out to ~102 proof). My antique decanter I filled with it is nearly half empty as well and due to be topped off again before long.

[Thunderdan11]

I drank half a bottle of the Fozzy Blend last night, BT114 is what I call it.

Nice. 50/50 mix?

[fozzy71]

Nice. 50/50 mix?

Good question, I am also curious on his tasting notes but maybe that is better held off until when/if it is the current VOTM. I have been mixing it 50:50 myself but have been thinking I should try some other ratios as well in a few 200ml bottles. I have 2 freshly cleaned 200ml upstairs so maybe that will be on my list once I make some room upstairs and carry up another bottle of each of the components later this week.

[gohrmund]

It was a 50/50 blend. I am not great on tasting notes other than I really liked it.

Gary

[fozzy71]

It was a 50/50 blend. I am not great on tasting notes other than I really liked it.

Gary

That is the extent of my tasting notes also. Glad you liked it.

[johnnyflake45]

It was a 50/50 blend. I am not great on tasting notes other than I really liked it.

Gary

I am glad you liked it as well, but it would be nice to know what you used to make your 50/50 vatting.

[fozzy71]

I am glad you liked it as well, but it would be nice to know what you used to make your 50/50 vatting.

ogd114:bt is what we were discussing

[fozzy71]

Good question, I am also curious on his tasting notes but maybe that is better held off until when/if it is the current VOTM. I have been mixing it 50:50 myself but have been thinking I should try some other ratios as well in a few 200ml bottles. I have 2 freshly cleaned 200ml upstairs so maybe that will be on my list once I make some room upstairs and carry up another bottle of each of the components later this week.

Just made 2 new ratios to test: 3 oz of OGD114 to 2 oz BT, and 2 oz OGD114 to 3 oz BT. I will let them mingle a few days probably then compare to the 50:50 in the decanter that has mingled for quite some time. Once those small bottles are dead I will probably try the same but 4:2 and 2:4 and hopefully reach a decision before I have to refill my decanter of what ratio to use going forward.

[gohrmund]

Just made 2 new ratios to test: 3 oz of OGD114 to 2 oz BT, and 2 oz OGD114 to 3 oz BT. I will let them mingle a few days probably then compare to the 50:50 in the decanter that has mingled for quite some time. Once those small bottles are dead I will probably try the same but 4:2 and 2:4 and hopefully reach a decision before I have to refill my decanter of what ratio to use going forward.

Fozzy,

How did the new blends turn out? I just posted the Fozzy Blend to the Tampa Bay Whiskey Society, you will be famous now.

Gary

[fozzy71]

I really didn't notice enough difference in either to sway me from just doing 50:50 blends in the future so topped off my antique decanter with more 50:50. In their defense I had already had a few pours of other things each time so my palate was likely a bit tainted so feel free to give other ratios a try on your own and report back if you do.