Vatting of the Month (VOTM) #2: Fozzy's BT/114 Blend (Oct. 2015)

[DonutsNBourbon]

DonutsNBourbon, try holding your bottle up to the light and looking below the rear label (not underneath the label, just below it on the clear glass). The print on the ones I have is white, and can be a bit faint.

ah yea, there it is. I probably shouldn't have been looking for it after having a few drinks. the batch I have is 4309, and I actually had a pour of it last night after seeing these posts and it actually tasted pretty good last night. maybe I needed a few drinks for it to taste better to me . I'll try vatting it with BT to see if I like it even better. Thanks guys! and Fozzy for creating this blend!

[BigBoldBully]

smokinjoe wrote: "Really, on Aaron's blog comment? Can I use the remainder of his comment, and his immediate comment above it that you didn't cite, as my own Exhibit A in support of no noticeable variation?"

While I am not interested in engaging in tit for tat sniping and will probably always hold you in affectionate regard (if for nothing else the charming plankton image), I have reread the blog comments in the interest of truth along with my own commitment to honesty and fairness, and just don’t see where you are coming from to imply that I misleadingly took a comment out of context.

I accurately explained the commenter was newer to OGD 114–this is a paraphrase of “his immediate comment above it that didn’t cite[.]” Indeed, what he wrote was: “I only discovered OGD114 last year, so I can’t really comment on batch variation from personal experience.” So according to the commenter himself, his limited experience disqualifies him from using any failure on his part to notice variation as credible evidence. He then gives the second-hand account, which I quote and even emphasize is second-hand, about others having written about variability. And even when he briefly describes his limited experience (“the remainder of his comment” you allude to), he simply says the bottles he had were “consistently good” rather than consistent in all respects. Of course, even if he announced the latter it would in no way invalidate my excerpted quotation, and it would need to be read in the context of his own disclaimer. But I am happy to let the SB collective determine whether I have been somehow shifty.

[amg]

Relax. It's just bourbon. I don't think anyone is calling anyone's character into question here.

[BigBoldBully]

Feeling very mellow, AMG, no worries. My post was based on the principles of fair debate rather than emotion. The OGD is indeed just bourbon, but our reputations for veracity and fairness are something more, even on an internet form. As a BOTY, smokinjoe wields great power on here. With a single sideways glance, he can annihilate your rep in the eyes of many fellow bourbonians. :bigeyes:

note: In the interest of tightening up the thread for future usefulness, I will see if I can obtain the help of a moderator to move some of the discussion into a different thread.

[Harry in WashDC]

OK. Tried my vatting tonight about an hour after I had a short neat portion of Larceny. The Larceny followed a dinner, with a short glass of white wine, of charcoal-grilled chicken breast covered with a home-made plum chutney.

Why all the ostensibly irrelevant info? Well, I figured you'd like to know what might affect my palate prior to consumption of the vatting.

Nose was nice, not as fruity as the BT is by itself (although I do like BT by itself). First sip also was nice - no burst of candy apple like I usually get with BT, and no alcohol bloom like I get with my first sip of OGD 114 neat. The combo is closer to what I get with a sip of 2 oz. of OGD 114 after a small ice cube has sat in it about five minutes, but the vatting is not as spicy as OGD by itself. Second and subsequent sips are also smoother than OGD 114 alone or with a small ice cube but richer than BT by itself. Finish is nice and lingering without disassembling into separate flavors.

IN SUM - I like the components individually, and they are readily available - OGD 114 more so than BT, but BT is not rare - and reasonably priced. I do think the 1:1 vatting (which takes the proof down to a little over 100) is at least as good as its parts and is just enough different that it adds a third choice to my shelf of consumables. This one will have a permanent spot (albeit a small one as I'll likely mix no more than 200 mls of each at a time) unless my wife takes back the salad dressing jar I mixed them in.

[fozzy71]

Thanks for the notes, much appreciated since my palate is so young. I have had a lot of other pours (and snacks) tonight but I think this will be my next pour to see if I can glean anything from your notes.

p.s. grab a 200ml of OGDBIB or WT101 for small vattings IMO

[Paddy]

OK. Tried my vatting tonight about an hour after I had a short neat portion of Larceny. The Larceny followed a dinner, with a short glass of white wine, of charcoal-grilled chicken breast covered with a home-made plum chutney.

Why all the ostensibly irrelevant info? Well, I figured you'd like to know what might affect my palate prior to consumption of the vatting.

Nose was nice, not as fruity as the BT is by itself (although I do like BT by itself). First sip also was nice - no burst of candy apple like I usually get with BT, and no alcohol bloom like I get with my first sip of OGD 114 neat. The combo is closer to what I get with a sip of 2 oz. of OGD 114 after a small ice cube has sat in it about five minutes, but the vatting is not as spicy as OGD by itself. Second and subsequent sips are also smoother than OGD 114 alone or with a small ice cube but richer than BT by itself. Finish is nice and lingering without disassembling into separate flavors.

IN SUM - I like the components individually, and they are readily available - OGD 114 more so than BT, but BT is not rare - and reasonably priced. I do think the 1:1 vatting (which takes the proof down to a little over 100) is at least as good as its parts and is just enough different that it adds a third choice to my shelf of consumables. This one will have a permanent spot (albeit a small one as I'll likely mix no more than 200 mls of each at a time) unless my wife takes back the salad dressing jar I mixed them in.

Well...lets hope she doesn't do that Harry, and thanks for the notes! :toast:

[fozzy71]

Thanks for the notes, much appreciated since my palate is so young. I have had a lot of other pours (and snacks) tonight but I think this will be my next pour to see if I can glean anything from your notes.

p.s. grab a 200ml of OGDBIB or WT101 for small vattings IMO

yum yum yum, i really cant complain about filling an antique decanter with this mix

[OldDrinker1978]

Vatted some new 200 ml Fozzy Blend two days ago and just enjoyed a pour. I vatted 70/30 BT to OGD114 this time and it's my fave ratio until now. Very sweet, vanilla and chocolate but with a chilli heat in the finish. Lovely stuff!

[Harry in WashDC]

Vatted some new 200 ml Fozzy Blend two days ago and just enjoyed a pour. I vatted 70/30 BT to OGD114 this time and it's my fave ratio until now. Very sweet, vanilla and chocolate but with a chilli heat in the finish. Lovely stuff!

Hhhhmm. My 1:1 vatting, which I really like, needs replenishing. I'm glad I saw this post. While the 1:1 comes in @ about 102 proof, this one would be around 97 (although these proofs aren't precise as alcohol and water have different densities, and I figured this based on volume, not mass). Hence, I'm looking forward to the 70:30::BT:OGD114.

[fozzy71]

Hhhhmm. My 1:1 vatting, which I really like, needs replenishing. I'm glad I saw this post. While the 1:1 comes in @ about 102 proof, this one would be around 97 (although these proofs aren't precise as alcohol and water have different densities, and I figured this based on volume, not mass). Hence, I'm looking forward to the 70:30::BT:OGD114.

I will be trying this ratio as well next time I open another BT to go with my open OGD114. Last time I tried different ratios I tried a 3:2 in each direction and didn't find them different enough to change the ratio on my large decanter. Maybe the 7:3 (or maybe I will go 3:1?) will make me change my mind about the 1:1 blend.

[mibourbonguy]

Really enjoying this tonight, and seems to get better sitting for a few days. Picked up more ogd114 to make more.

[fozzy71]

Really enjoying this tonight, and seems to get better sitting for a few days. Picked up more ogd114 to make more.

I keep my large mix of this in a 750+ ML antique decanter I found at a local antique store this summer for $30. It was mixed a few months ago and topped off again a month or so ago. Much nicer decanter than the cheap one I got from amazon in the early stages of my bourbon journey that I use for my last pours blend.

[Harry in WashDC]

Really enjoying this tonight, and seems to get better sitting for a few days. Picked up more ogd114 to make more.

Like Fozz, I noticed no real change at about 60:40 either way. It's why I'm going to try 70:30::BT:OGD114.

Squire was the one who "introduced" me via an SB thread to letting OGD 114 sit awhile before sipping and adding a little water if necessary.

[amg]

I finally got around to trying this, and it's pretty good! The OGD114 really dominates the nose, but the BT shines through on the palate. I used a particularly good BT store pick, which certainly doesn't hurt. Nice vanilla sweetness along with the OGD Cocoa and spice.

[thornsbreak]

I keep my large mix of this in a 750+ ML antique decanter I found at a local antique store this summer for $30. It was mixed a few months ago and topped off again a month or so ago. Much nicer decanter than the cheap one I got from amazon in the early stages of my bourbon journey that I use for my last pours blend.

Hey there, been reading this board for well over a year and just getting around to posting, but this comment propelled me to jump in and say be careful! Many antique decanters were made from crystal containing lead. While pouring an alcoholic beverage into a crystal glass to drink isn't too much of a problem because of the short contact time, spirits stored in crystal absorb a very concerning amount of lead in a very short amount of time (somewhere between a few hours to a few days, can't remember exactly). Please be safe and do a search around the internet and read about the hazards of lead decanters, and see if there is any way you can tell if yours is made with lead. Lead crystal looks very pretty, and many antique decanters are gorgeous, but unfortunately fail completely at their primary purpose, which is safely holding an alcoholic beverage for your consumption. Not worth the risk of lead poisoning simply for appearances, especially since there are some very affordable and nice looking non-leaded decanters available for purchase online. Sorry to hijack an already-hijacked thread, but this is a matter of safety!

[Hop]

^^^good information and a good post

[fozzy71]

Just tried my first pour of BT:114 at 3:1 and this may be my favorite ratio now, though I don't have any 1:1 made up at the moment for a side by side. I suppose that isn't too surprising given this comes in at ~96 proof and Larceny at 92 and EC12 at 94 are t2o of my favorite pours.

[BigBoldBully]

Think I am trending toward the 3:1 ratio myself, as the BT is in some ways so much mellower than the OGD. IMO the BT lends texture and perceived sweetness, while the OGD 114 works as a flavor (as well as proof) booster. For those nights when the bargain that is OGD seems a bit too sharp for the mood....

[fozzy71]

Just tried my first pour of BT:114 at 3:1 and this may be my favorite ratio now, though I don't have any 1:1 made up at the moment for a side by side. I suppose that isn't too surprising given this comes in at ~96 proof and Larceny at 92 and EC12 at 94 are t2o of my favorite pours.

confirmed, 3:1 BT:114 is the way to go IMO and will be the way I mix this going forward. This poses a new problem for me with 4 bottles of each in the bunker: buy more BT for vatting, or drink a bottle or 2 of 114 to get the bunker ratio in check.......

I suppose buying 2 bottles of BT would be easier to get the bunker ratio in check, but killing a bottle or two of OGD114 sounds like more fun. :slappin:

[mibourbonguy]

I used up the last of my BT to try the 3:1 blend and this is a good blend.