Comments on: Vats it Tooo Yooo?

By: Don

Don — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Hey Greg. I loved your last post! Truth is I think if you review anything that you taste, you struggle to describe flavors with words! It definitely is more art than science, and some of it is downright funny! I still haven’t vatted anything, but I’m thinking about a Fighting cock with a Beam or an Evan Williams or an Old Crow. I think those flavors might complement nicely. Problem is I have so much new stuff to drink and blog about I haven’t had an opportunity to do a lot of experimentation. I have a guys weekend coming up. That might be the opportunity.
-Don

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:46:19 +0000

Don – after drinking a wide spectrum of bourbons, I’m now focusing some of my attention on vatting. Last night I shared with a friend a vatting of 50/50 Charter 101 and AAA 10 year. It’s a good mix and I look forward to doing a little mad chemist with my bourbon in the next number of months.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:05:45 +0000

That sounds Awesome Mike! I guess that is one reason to live in Kentucky! Another might be Basketball, and a third might be No Dentists!

By: Michael Reinhardt

Michael Reinhardt — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:48:55 +0000

I’m a bit of a purest when it comes to this type of stuff. I think one ought to at least try the normal versions before a vatting occurs. That being said, I had a heinous notion one time that work very nicely. I used to live about 40 minutes from Jim Beam and Buffalo Trace. Occasionally, I would buy a Bourbon Barrel from Jim Beam and they would always have close to half a gallon of uncut Bourbon in them. Not a bad deal for ten bucks, which I would re-coop once I sold the barrel. I took about 3 barrels worth and put it in a Buffalo Trace 13 year (uncut also) Rye barrel and had a terrific Bourbon. So, on a personal level I’ve done it. I guess one can’t be too picky sometimes.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:51:45 +0000

Hey Brian, good to see you here again! Its interesting to hear you have mixed beer before. I know its done, but it is kind of hush hush. I think, particularly if you bought a four pack or a six and you don’t really care for its flavor, why not mix it? You bought it, maybe you can make something complex and good!

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:47:31 +0000

Johnny Walker’s been “vatting” for years. Granted, the whole is not particularly stellar at its low levels… I’ve done this with plenty of beers though. I found that by doing this with a lambic and a high AC scotch ale you can really make something interesting and truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Beer offers you a lot of opportunities to incorporate vastly different flavors (ie farmhouse or sour ale type) without compromising the characteristic ale flavors.

I like that you’re thinking outside the box.