The Vatting Thread 2018 and beyond

[flahute]

7 hours ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

These posts set off a lightbulb in my head that Stagg Jr. (which I do not like) and Eagle Rare (which I like VERY much) are the same mash.  ER101 is before my time and not something I will be likely to try anytime soon.  Decided to vat up my own using the Stagg to beef up the ER.  If someone who vats regularly can check my math it would be very helpful!

 

25 total ounces so each ounce is 4% of total volume.  18.25 oz of ER at 90 proof & 6.75 oz of Stagg Jr at 130 proof.

(18.25)(90)(.04) + (6.75)(130)(.04) = 100.8 proof.

 

I have high hopes.

 

7 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

As near as I can tell, your math looks okay Bob. This vatting sounds good. Please post some tasting notes. I like Stagg Jr. and ER 10 so I'm thinking I just might have to give this one a try. 

 

Biba! Joe

 

4 hours ago, EarthQuake said:

I'll chime in and confirm that ER10 and Stagg Jr blends are great. I don't think you can really go wrong with the ratio here. Lean heavy on the Stagg if you want to keep the proof up, or heavier on the ER10 if you want a bit more wood at a lower proof.

 

Not long after I first tried the OC8:Stagg Jr. blend, I started experimenting with BT and ER10 with Stagg Jr. blends.

I will also confirm that ER10 is fantastic with Stagg Jr. In addition to mellowing out the Jr. the ER10 provides an oak backbone that contributes to a solid overall structure.

[GeeTen]

7 hours ago, flahute said:

Not long after I first tried the OC8:Stagg Jr. blend, I started experimenting with BT and ER10 with Stagg Jr. blends.

I will also confirm that ER10 is fantastic with Stagg Jr. In addition to mellowing out the Jr. the ER10 provides an oak backbone that contributes to a solid overall structure.

 

dSculptor's blend was 2xER10:StaggJr:BT.  Still keep a decanter of it next to the reclining easy chair in the Man Cave - YUM!   

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Well damn, and here I thought I had just invented the wheel!  Wonder if I can still get my day job back . . .

 

Non blind SBS last night between A store pick ER and my new ER101 (made from same store pick ER).  It's cliche to say around here, but the 101 was like ER on steroids.  Even thought I did not like the Stagg Jr straight I do I recall it smelled fantastic nose that was heavy with with notes of cherry cola.  It really amped up the bright orange citrus nose of the ER adding more depth of flavors to the experience.  The Cherry cola really shone through and complimented rather then overpowered the ER.  After sitting in the glass for a few minutes it improved even more with almost zero alcohol vapors.  Wife thought the regular ER was the stronger of the two based on the nose.  On the pallet the 101 was again more flavorful and easily outpaced the ER (which is a fantastic bottle in its own right).   

 

The only negative is I did feel the same post finish burn in the base of my chest with the 101 that I had with the Stagg Jr alone.  That burn was the biggest complaint of regular Stagg Jr., and does make a slight appearance here.  However, it was not enough to overshadow how good the 101 was.  It does make me wonder if a mix of ER and EHBP would be the answer.  Not sure I am nearly as keen to blend 7 oz of the Taylor, while I am thrilled to have found a use for the unwanted Stagg.

 

I can see this vat or a similar one being made again in the near future!  

 

Obviously, could be a lot of bias in my initial opinion.  Will revisit blind sometime later this week and see if the same results hold.  

[Clueby]

I know everyone's palate is different but the "unwanted Stagg" blows my mind. It is such a huge flavor bomb. I agree it's a little too hot at times depending on the batch but I love that burnt brown sugar and cherry cola taste. It deserves its Jr. title as it does have a lot of the same profile as GTS.

[lcpfratn]

I know everyone's palate is different but the "unwanted Stagg" blows my mind. It is such a huge flavor bomb. I agree it's a little too hot at times depending on the batch but I love that burnt brown sugar and cherry cola taste. It deserves its Jr. title as it does have a lot of the same profile as GTS.

I agree. I don’t mind trying a little blending with it since it’s not that expensive, but I like it just like it is or maybe with a touch of water.


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[Marekv8]

Trying a 2:1 ratio of OBOB & ECBP (A117) for a 102.8 proof blend. They work well together, although I may try a 50/50 combo to judge this one against.

 

[EarthQuake]

22 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

Trying a 2:1 ratio of OBOB & ECBP (A117) for a 102.8 proof blend. They work well together, although I may try a 50/50 combo to judge this one against.

 

A man after my own heart. I like a similar blend, but with Barterhouse or Rhetoric (because they are a lot easier to find) and Stagg Jr.

Edited April 7, 2018 by EarthQuake

[EarthQuake]

On 4/5/2018 at 12:20 PM, lcpfratn said:

I agree. I don’t mind trying a little blending with it since it’s not that expensive, but I like it just like it is or maybe with a touch of water.


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Personally, I love Stagg Jr on it's own. It's fantastic, but I don't always want the 130 proof punch in the face and I think it goes very well in blends, basically any time you want to crank it to 11, add some Stagg Jr. It's pretty easy to find and relatively inexpensive in my area so I don't hesitate to vat it.

[Bobafett2k6]

Anyone played around with adding a peated scotch to an American whiskey? I suppose it would be in the style of High west Campfire (which I haven't tried) but i'm wondering about propotions?

[EarthQuake]

43 minutes ago, Bobafett2k6 said:

Anyone played around with adding a peated scotch to an American whiskey? I suppose it would be in the style of High west Campfire (which I haven't tried) but i'm wondering about propotions?

I have on a couple occasions but in my experiments it really overpowered everything else. There's probably a reasonable blend out there though!

[Vosgar]

57 minutes ago, Bobafett2k6 said:

Anyone played around with adding a peated scotch to an American whiskey? I suppose it would be in the style of High west Campfire (which I haven't tried) but i'm wondering about propotions?

Not with any American, but I've done it a few times with Irish whiskey. For that combination 10% (Laphroaig 10) worked well for me but I would guess you might want to go a bit higher for bourbon or rye. If nothing else, it will be fun to experiment!

[kcgumbohead]

I have been sipping from a few years old though recently opened 1792RR store pic. On its own its OK but the balance is tipped too much in the direction of dry for my taste especially on the finish. I decidied to stay in the family and vat 50/50 with VOB BIB which is a staple “daily pour” bourbon for me with a very enjoyable balance. The blend lended sweetness that the RR stand alone needed and the boost in proof punched up the overall intensity of flavor. Turn a “meh” bottle that I was considering ways to get rid of into a delicious daily pour that I can enjoy and look forward to. I have another of the RR in the bunker so this blend will be around awhile. Nice spice on entry, a mature well developed sweetness, an extended finish of leather, tobacco. Complex and in a very nice balance for what I enjoy in a pour. Sigh of relief as I enjoy this one. 

[GeeTen]

Hey Joe,

 

I'm having a Senior moment - what was your recipe for the Joe's 2018 Weller Blend (if you don't mind me askin')?  3xOWA:W12:WSR?  Finally got my back-up W12 supply and ready to use up some neat empty bottles for the blend.   

 

In the meantime, I'm gonna' mix up a new batch of "Rare Bern" for immediate consumption - 3xBW:2xWTRB.  Wish me luck.   

 

Many thanks,

F.

8-)

Edited April 10, 2018 by GeeTen

[fishnbowljoe]

1 minute ago, GeeTen said:

Hey Joe,

 

I'm having a Senior moment - what was your recipe for the Joe's 2018 Weller Blend (if you don't mind me askin')?  3xOWA:W12:WSR?  Finally got my back-up W12 supply and ready to use up some neat empty bottles for the blend.   

 

Many thanks,

F.

8-)

 From one senior to another, it's gonna cost ya' Gee.   The ratio you have is correct. Three parts OWA to one part Weller SR and one part Weller 12.  I'll be bringing a 1.75 of my 2018 Weller Blend to our get together in a couple of weeks just in case you might want to try it first.   

 

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to meeting you and SWMBO.  Fortunately or unfortunately, my significant other won't be coming down this time around. She's only comfortable making the trip  about every ten years or so. 2016 was her last visit. So it looks like I'm good for a few more years. 

 

Biba! Joe

[GeeTen]

12 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

 From one senior to another, it's gonna cost ya' Gee.   The ratio you have is correct. Three parts OWA to one part Weller SR and one part Weller 12.  I'll be bringing a 1.75 of my 2018 Weller Blend to our get together in a couple of weeks just in case you might want to try it first.   

 

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to meeting you and SWMBO.  Fortunately or unfortunately, my significant other won't be coming down this time around. She's only comfortable making the trip  about every ten years or so. 2016 was her last visit. So it looks like I'm good for a few more years. 

 

Biba! Joe

 

Hey thanks Joe - I went back into the 2017 Vatting thread and found your recipe yesterday afternoon.  Made up a small batch that's sitting in a RHF jug, melding its little heart away.

 

Unfortunately, we might not be able to make it to the Sampler at the end of the month.  We are waiting on pins and needles for daughter#2 to have grandchild #4 (after two daughters and three grandaughters, we're having a grandson)!  I thought that the new addition to the clan would arrive in a week, but "The Boy" is a BIG 'un and there may be some delays.  So we're up in the air as to whether we can make the trip to Kentucky and North Carolina right now.   But there's still time and we don't have to make a final decision yet.  We were so looking forward to meeting all y'all at the General Nelson (especially after the wife saw the pics from my meeting with the Georgia Bourbon Society in December) and sharing a dram or three.  Hope we can still make it.  But, as always, family comes first in our lives, eh?   

 

    

Edited April 11, 2018 by GeeTen

[LCWoody]

Doing a 2/3 ECBP and 1/3 EC23 I’m going to let it stand for at least a month before I drink it. Should be good, I love both in their own right. 

[kevinbrink]

On ‎4‎/‎8‎/‎2018 at 4:12 PM, Bobafett2k6 said:

Anyone played around with adding a peated scotch to an American whiskey? I suppose it would be in the style of High west Campfire (which I haven't tried) but i'm wondering about propotions?

I have poured many a Laphroaig into the remnants of whatever the second to last pour of the night is if that counts 

[rjg1701]

On 4/8/2018 at 2:12 PM, Bobafett2k6 said:

Anyone played around with adding a peated scotch to an American whiskey? I suppose it would be in the style of High west Campfire (which I haven't tried) but i'm wondering about propotions?

Probably stretching the term 'peated', but have found a glass of half JB BiB and half Johny Walker Green to be rather tasty.

Edited April 16, 2018 by rjg1701

[Harry in WashDC]

On 4/16/2018 at 2:47 PM, rjg1701 said:

Probably stretching the term 'peated', but have found a glass of half JB BiB and half Johny Walker Green to be rather tasty.

Somehow I just can't get my head around this.  Just thinking about it brings back memories of a Woodford Reserve experiment STILL taking up shelf space after all these years.

 

NOTE TO SELF - PITCH the damn thing, cork and all.

 

But then, isn't there a High West offering that's sort of a blend like this?  I think I liked it.

[rjg1701]

14 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Somehow I just can't get my head around this.  Just thinking about it brings back memories of a Woodford Reserve experiment STILL taking up shelf space after all these years.

 

NOTE TO SELF - PITCH the damn thing, cork and all.

 

But then, isn't there a High West offering that's sort of a blend like this?  I think I liked it.

IIRC, HW Campfire is a blend of bourbon and rye whiskey with a bit of peated Scotch added for flavor.   Might be just bourbon and Scotch tho, been a while.

[tanstaafl2]

On 4/18/2018 at 11:37 AM, rjg1701 said:

IIRC, HW Campfire is a blend of bourbon and rye whiskey with a bit of peated Scotch added for flavor.   Might be just bourbon and Scotch tho, been a while.

It is (was?) all three including a peated blended scotch (JW Black for example). David would never tell me the source of the peated whisky except to say it wasn't Islay. Whether it is still made and whether it is the same blend now as it was originally I also couldn't say.

[Harry in WashDC]

35 minutes ago, tanstaafl2 said:

It is (was?) all three including a peated blended scotch (JW Black for example). David would never tell me the source of the peated whisky except to say it wasn't Islay. Whether it is still made and whether it is the same blend now as it was originally I also couldn't say.

Thanks for the memory nudge, B.  I recall I tasted this (and Yippee Ki Yay) two years ago at the WhiskyFest Wash DC, and David was the pourer.  I'm not a peat fan, but he encouraged me to try the Campfire after the YKY.  As luck would have it, John Glaser was serving up Compass Box blends across the aisle and offered me a few tastes.  I opted for Hedonism over Campfire when I finally made it to a store and still occasionally pick up a Compass Box AFTER reading about how the CB website thinks the offerings taste. 

Edited April 20, 2018 by Harry in WashDC

[TheNovaMan]

Here's one from another thread.  I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like it could be a tasty dram.

 

 

[CUfan99]

On 4/3/2018 at 7:50 AM, GeeTen said:

 

dSculptor's blend was 2xER10:StaggJr:BT.  Still keep a decanter of it next to the reclining easy chair in the Man Cave - YUM!   

 

Due to shortages in my market of ER10 at retail prices I've adjusted the ration to 2xBT:ER10:StaggJr. and love the results. By my calculations the proof comes out to just above 103 using the 130 proof batch of Stagg Jr.

[Bob_Loblaw]

Finally feels like the warm weather is here so its time to mix up another batch of BA Cocktails! Here is what I am mixing:

 

4xVOB BiB

1/2cup honey

2oz Angustura Bitters

 

Will mix 2 bottles with the honey/bitters in the empty 1.75 to make sure honey dissolves. Then into the barrel for at least 10 days. Will sample and then decide. 

 

Took my last bottle of Manhattans to a tasting recently and received unanimously positive reviews. Course this was at the end of the night so everyone was very tipsy at this point.