Imperial Eclipse Stout - Jack Daniels - FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

PaulStoneAnchor

California

3.75/5  rDev +16.1%

06-08-2012 02:59:42 | More by PaulStoneAnchor

Azrael

1.75/5  rDev -45.8%

01-25-2013 06:23:39 | More by Azrael

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -14.9%

01-17-2013 23:36:57 | More by Thorpe429

yourefragile

District of Columbia

2.75/5  rDev -14.9%

01-16-2013 15:37:20 | More by yourefragile

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev +23.8%

01-12-2013 06:44:55 | More by spycow

adamdarcy

Michigan

3/5  rDev -7.1%

12-31-2012 04:51:43 | More by adamdarcy

DarthKostrizer

California

3.5/5  rDev +8.4%

12-10-2012 02:06:25 | More by DarthKostrizer

Lunch

Maryland

2.38/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Shared by mdfb79 during our Eclipse tasting. For those of you that don't know, which is everyone but like 7 people on this planet, I met Dan in the parking lot of White Flint Mall during an in-person trade several years back. I figured I'd throw this factoid out there just in case ABC decides to reinvigorate the Who Wants to Be Millionaire? franchise as this could come up as either a $16,000 or $32,000 question...you're welcome.

2009 vintage, 300 day version, bottle #33. Poured this motherfucker into my goddamn Eclipse snifter (courtesy of drabmuh). Thanks to both for making fine accomplishment come to fruition. My mother expressed great pride (or was that complete indifference?) when I told her as such.

Goddamn...I've havent smelled solvent like this since that time I went down on that rather unfortunate cleaning woman in the janitor's closet of the Panama City Beach Holiday Inn Express. Perhaps a hint of chocolate, but I'm probably lying to myself...I usually do.

Taste is an improvement over the smell, which is a good thing, but an improvement like your neighbor's bundle of joy who usually averages a goddamn 10% on her spelling test, but upped the ante by bringing home a solid yet unremarkable 50%. Not as much solvent here, but I may just be distracted by the pubis stuck in my teeth. Some chocolate, roasted something or other, and perhaps that sting of Jack that takes you back to everyone's favorite holiday in college...Thursday.

Mouthfeel is unremarkable and carbonation is low like my tolerance for anything not based in fact.

Overall I have to say that I enjoyed this as I never thought I'd have the chance to try it. Certainly not a great beverage, but I appreciate being able to try an older Eclipse so as to educate myself further on the journey taken by FiftyFifty. Thanks again Dan!

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 22:16:30 | More by Lunch

mdfb79

New York

2.95/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 11/17/12 notes at our big Eclipse tasting. I brought this one and it was the worst of the night...oh well, was kind of expecting that. 2009 vintage, 300 day version, bottle #33. Poured into a tulip.

a - Pours a pitch black color with less than an inch of dark tan head and low carbonation evident. Less head and carbonation evident than the other versions but otherwise looks the same.

s - Smells of clay, hot bourbon, nailpolish remover, roasted malts, chocolate, plastic. Nose is not good; lots of offensive alcohol to it. Surprised it doesn't mix very well considering the other versions doso great.

t - Tastes of bourbon, alcohol, sweet dark fruits, roasted malts, sweet chocolate, clay, and some caramel. MUCH better than the nose, though still not very good. Doesn't taste off really, just very alcohol-y.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Same body as the others with some heat.

o - Overall by far the worst version we had, as it just does not mix well together like all the other versions. The nose is pretty bad, though the taste is much better; nothing offensive in the taste, just not BA'ed well. It tastes to me like a badly barrel aged stout, which is surprising because the other versions and amazing and some of the best I had. Perhaps over the years they have just perfected it and this was one of the earlier versions, but this one is worth skipping.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 15:41:15 | More by mdfb79

drabmuh

Maryland

2.45/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

"300 day" version, no wax. Bottle shared by Dan, thanks! One of the "rarer" beers of the night, also one of the worst. Sorry Dan, served in a FiftyFifty eclipse snifter.

Beer is black / dark brown with nearly no head, no lacing, no retention, and the lowest carbonation of them all.

Aroma is offensively bad, seriously fucking gross. I described it as apple flavored nail polish remover. I seriously considered whether I should go on with this beer after the aroma. I ultimately did.

At least it doesn't taste as bad as the aroma but this is by far the worst of the night out of all of them. It is mildly solventy and has this OK roast and whiskey flavor in the front and back but the whole thing in the center is sort of a disaster. not a repeat, something went wrong with this beer and its not going to get better.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 23:49:16 | More by drabmuh

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

2.68/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

300 day version. 2009 vintage. No wax. Served in a FiftyFifty Eclipse snifter.

The beer appears pretty much the same as the other Eclipse stouts - dark, nearing black, with a small beige head. The aroma brings oak, booze, and an odd, buttery sweetness. The flavor is another step down from the questionable aroma. Buttery toffee, sweet booze, and just not on par with the usual quality one would expect from an Eclipse stout. Medium to full bodied with moderately low carbonation. My least favorite of the series. There were several ounces left in the bottle at the end of the tasting.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 18:54:02 | More by Huhzubendah

Robdrinx

Maryland

3/5  rDev -7.1%

11-17-2012 23:50:42 | More by Robdrinx

MasterSki

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

300-day version, with no wax. Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip.

A - Quick-dissolving tan foam settles to a very thin collar, leaving a few tiny specks of lace behind. Dark brown body. Looks like virtually every other Eclipse.

S - The Jack Daniels influence is pretty intense, even after three years. The nose is dominated by fruity whiskey that imparts some berry notes, as well as oaky vanilla. Notes of honey, caramel, and melted chocolate are imparted by the base beer.

T - The taste isn't quite up to the level of the aroma, as there's a bit of oxidation and char in the finish that doesn't quite mesh with the sweet caramel, chocolate, and vanilla that are prevalent mid-palate. Quite sweet, as most Eclipses tend to be, with mild smoke and tangy whisky bite.

M - Smooth medium body, with lower carbonation. No alcohol warmth, and a chewy and sticky finish. Sufficiently hefty for the listed 9.5%, and quite easy to drink at this stage.

D - Surprisingly good - I was expecting a train wreck based on the other reviews. Certainly not the best Eclipse, but an enjoyable beer nonetheless. Other than the mildly off finish this was a nice beer. Curious how it compares to the 200-day version.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 16:45:02 | More by MasterSki

AgentZero

Illinois

4/5  rDev +23.8%

11-11-2012 03:14:07 | More by AgentZero

FosterJM

California

4.2/5  rDev +30%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1553rd Review on BA
Bottle to stemmed tulip
22oz

2009 Release
300 Day- Unwaxed

@City Beer Store, San Francisco, CA

App- Its nice. Its not as dark as some of the Eclipse variants but retains a good dark center and a bit of a creamy shimmery quality as well. Only a small 1/2" off tan head with maybe a couple dots of cling.

Smell- Well it wasnt as aromatic as I thought but at almost 3 years and other reviews I was skeptic. You do get the burn of the whiskey faintly. That seems to make way for the brownie like aroma with a touch of malts and chocolate.

Taste- This was a very fine beer. Again same as every year ive had from Eclipse the bottle issues are there. Thank the lord the $ on this was worth it. The dessert like flavors of the nose carry over well with thick malts, a good dose of barrel from the aging brings some vanilla and a bit grainy oak. The JD has faded a bit and leaves only traces of the alcohol.

Mouth- A pretty solid medium body with a couple pockets of a larger body. The carbonation was about on par for this type of beer. A little bit prickly, a bit smooth and sweet.

Drink- This was hard to pass up in the cabinet. Glad I split the high $$ with some guy named Seth at the bar. Good on ya. Most of the reviews bashed this. I found it to be very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 04:09:22 | More by FosterJM

t0rin0

California

1.75/5  rDev -45.8%

09-26-2012 22:37:04 | More by t0rin0

Jeffo

Netherlands

2.2/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2

My mate Doops and I were lucky enough to be able to try the entire 2010 - 2008 series. This was the sixth one we opened, and the last of the '09 bottles. A big thanks to everyone who made putting this set together possible, and cheers again to Doops for hunting this one down. She gets some mixed reviews, but like any real beer geek, no Eclipse series is complete without this jack-ass.

From a bomber into a snifter
Vintage: 2009
300 day version. No wax.

APPEARANCE: Pours a little darker than the others so far. Pour forms a one finger, medium looking, tan head with better retention. Black body and no carbonation evident. Relatively opaque compared to the others in the series, though still slightly transparent for the style. Head slowly fades to a good wisp and ring that remain the whole way leaving a few dots of lacing on the glass. First one in the series to at least deserve and average score for looks.

SMELL: Whisky and alcohol disinfectant. Reminds me of the alcohol sanitizer we used at the hospital before going into the preemie ward. Nail polish remover comes to mind as well. There is some oak and mild milk chocolate aromas in there as well, but it’s tough to get past the industrial floor cleaner that blasts you off the pour. Oddly enough, as the beers sits in the glass for a while, the disinfectant mellows and the nose becomes a little more tolerable, which is the only thing keeping it from being totally awful.

TASTE: There’s definitely some whisky there, but there’s also a lot of nail polish remover, disinfectant and cleaning supplies. Toilet bowl cleaner, industrial window cleaner, alcohol disinfectant; take your pick. The initial flavor is quite harsh. The oak barrel does come through after the swallow a bit, adding some oaky wood and milk chocolate flavors to the hospital taste. Aftertaste is pretty big and persistent, unfortunately, with lots of industrial cleaning supplies and, very luckily I might add, some light oak and dark, chocolaty bitterness. That really saved it. In the end, it still tastes rare.

PALATE: Medium-full body and medium carbonation. Plenty of weight and quite creamy smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly mouth-coating. A touch of heat lingers as well. This is by far the best part of the beer, and perhaps the best mouth-feel in the series.

OVERALL: Besides the relatively good feel, the unmistakable flavor of rarity was the only thing this beer had going for it. Actually, if it weren’t for the rarity and the pull of the Eclipse series, this beer would just end up getting mixed into various cleaning products. Perhaps that is a little too harsh. It is not as bad as some reviewers before me have described, as there are hints of the barrel and base beer in there, but overall, this one is easily the worst of the series. With the bounty this one commands, only those with a distinct taste for alcohol disinfectant, or those looking to geek out with the whole set, like Doops and I, should bother seeking it out. For those of you with some sense, however, take care to avoid this one. Thanks again for sharing Doops. This was loads of fun!

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 20:19:07 | More by Jeffo

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev +23.8%

02-06-2012 17:01:07 | More by imperialking

Khazadum

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Waxed bottle so much better than unwaxed.

Smells. Nice. Couldnt tell Jack Daniels whisky, but got some barrel. Bit sharp heat, dark sugars and fruit. Back end light carroway seeds.

Opens sharp Brown sugar, grainy, dark grains. Bitter middle. Dates and cranberries. Finishes nice and.dry. wood barrel is definitely oak like with a light char.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 21:35:54 | More by Khazadum

Gonzoillini

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +8.4%

02-04-2012 21:18:04 | More by Gonzoillini

jethrodium

California

3.45/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

650 ml bottle shared by colonelforbin. Thanks Mike. Pours a black that is cola brown at edges when held up to the light with small tan head that has good retention and leaves some light lacing on the glass. The aroma is big oak, some whiskey, caramel, marshmallow, quite a bit of alcohol, some light cherry, and a hint of plum. This one is certainly barrel heavy. The initial taste is sweet with oak and whiskey. Quite boozy. Then comes some marshmallow and a bit of plum. The finish is boozy and a bit astringent. Leaves a lingering oak taste. Light bodied for an imperial stout. Low carbonation. This is the worst out of the Eclipse series that I have had, but still wasn't a terrible beer. A bit too much barrel that drowns out the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 06:10:27 | More by jethrodium

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ah, Christmas Day, a chance to enter in some of the backlogged reviews of yesteryear from the notes on the phone. I've had this beer a few times, once at the Bistro Barrel festival and once at the Eclipe release party (1st annual).

Pours the usual black, lighter around the edges as usual, decent head to it. Customary boozy bourbon aroma blended with the heavy roast of the Totality base beer. Aroma just seemed heavier handed on this barreled version than the others, but after sipping on the beer, the aroma mellowed out and was enjoyable and became smoother.

Whiskey and chocolate dominate the palate, thankfully, the boozy aroma wasn't as heavy in the taste, mellowed into a gritty experience. This beer takes some patience and willingness to let it open up, but when you do, it really settles into a decadent chocolate and whiskey tinged experience.

Seeing as JD is the most widely known whiskey, and its relative cheapness, this beer isn't going to get any rarity or spirits aficionados to clammor over it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2011 19:32:11 | More by Beerandraiderfan

jophish17

Georgia

2.5/5  rDev -22.6%

12-14-2011 21:47:12 | More by jophish17

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3/5  rDev -7.1%

11-14-2011 23:09:20 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

jh1982

Nevada

4/5  rDev +23.8%

11-14-2011 17:16:40 | More by jh1982