Blat means wheat in Catalonian. But to me, Blat means flavor. It also means damned good wheat Vodka.
But what makes this Vodka better than the others on the market?
I'm not sure- but through a proprietary method of distillation, Blat Vodka reads, right on the label and certified by the US Government that it is pure. Chemically speaking there are zero impurities in this Vodka. No impurities according to the owners of the company, equals no hangovers.
That seems to be a pretty broad ranging statement, but independent US Government Laboratories have certified on every bottle that.. well, here it is directly from the label:
We Guarantee, as a result of proprietary process, that this bottle was filled from has produced Vodka with Non-Detected Impurities. The analysis has been carried out by the most accurate USA independent laboratory certified by the TTB. The results have shown that typical traces of 1-Butanol, Active Amyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Alcohol, Isobutanol, Methanol, N-Propanol, or Acetaldehyde, EB Ethyl Acetate, were all non-detected.
So what are they saying? "Achieving extraordinary purity without sacrificing the best traditional taste through a completely unique proprietary process. Reaches where others cannot reach."
But what does this Vodka taste like?
A dream.
A dream? Yes. A dream of aromatics. I detect rosemary, citrus and white flowers. This Vodka is pure and clean and it mixes with citrus in a most friendly manner.
This is a most friendly Vodka.
Just like the owners of the company. They are as approachable as your own family.
There is something about this Vodka that allows it to marry well with citrus fruits. But not your typical Vodka and Orange juice type drinks. I'm speaking of grilled citrus, like blood oranges, muddled with freshly snipped garden herbs like rosemary and fresh mint.
A whiff of the sea is in every sip.
They use a special type of water for the blending their Vodka. Let's just say that the recipe is a closely guarded secret. I'd like to "spill the secret" but alas, even the wife of one of the owners does not know the formulary.
They say you won't get a hangover by drinking Blat. I'm not sure I'd like to test this theory, but it makes sense.
Take out the impurities and take away the chances of one of those behind the eyes is pure pain hangovers.
I've traveled to the region of Spain that this Vodka is named for. Catalonia. The region is rich with a very specific terroir. Wheat is grown here and Blat Vodka is (in my opinion) the closest thing Vodka comes to Pappy Van Winkle. If they create their cache', it should be for the purity of the flavors in each sip.
This is Vodka that doesn't stand in the way of getting your work done. (my quote!)
So, I played around with my bottle of Blat this afternoon. But as simplicity is my guide, I took the path less followed. Bitters became my GPS in this experiment.
I call this little cocktail the Black Hat. Named for a circa 1800's top hat I own. The last time I wore this top hat (many years ago) I became particularly wrecked on your basic Vodka on the Rocks. Now, many years later, I still own this venerable top hat, but alas, it is too small for my head.
I think it makes a great prop though. And the inspiration for this cocktail is the remembrance of the last time that I drank Vodka on ice. I'm quite sure that Vodka was not as pure as Blat.
The Black Hat Cocktail (Serves one or two, depending on how wrecked you want to be, but remember, no hangover!)
Ingredients for the Black Hat Cocktail:
Bitters, Old Men- Isaan Another Level Bitters (Comprised of Burdock, Lemongrass, Ginger, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Yuzu Peel, Birds eye chili, Fish Sauce and Sweet Soy)
Ice
Preparation:
Into a short cocktail glass add one or two large cubes of ice. I used a large silicone cube form from Williams-Sonoma
Add 2 Shots of Blat Vodka (Wheated, just like Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon!)
Add exactly five drops of the Bitters, Old Men Bitters
Stir with a long piece of lemongrass, but crush the end first with the flat side of a chef's knife to release the aromatics
I also created another cocktail based on strong Mexican Coffee with the unmistakable aromatics of Mexican Chocolate and smoke from one of the unmistakable Del Maguay Mezcals.
This salubrious drink- I named the Oaxaca Express. It uses a couple of hits of the Mexican Mole' Bitters from The Bitter End
This cocktail is also simplicity in motion. Use the same proportions as the Black Hat, but substitute the Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters for the Bitters, Old Men Bitters
Instead of five drops of bitters, use only three drops of the Mexican Mole' Bitters.
Add 1/2 shot of strong coffee to the vodka and then the Bitter End Bitters and a good splash of Agave Syrup for a sweeter finish
Add a large cube of ice
Finally, add 1/2 shot of Petuga from Del Maguey
Add the Mezcal directly over the top
Serve immediately to your friend and then make another for yourself to show your good manners!
Thank you Fabiola for being so kind to me.
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