Imperial Eclipse Stout - Elijah Craig (12 Year) - FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

Kraig

California

4.99/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Excellent Stout beer. Slight honey flavor was outstanding. I also enjoyed the oak barrel flavoring. The oak barrel flavor and the honey flavor compliments each other greatly. This is an extremely dark beer and definitely named appropriately.

I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 18:30:27 | More by Kraig

Jmoore50

Nevada

4.97/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

When this beer first came out I thought that the Heaven Hill Rye was better. As time went on the reviews kept favoring the Elijah Craig version. Well last Wednesday the year old Elijah Craig was on tap and it was perfection. I was absolutely floored by how good this had aged in the keg.

The appearance on this is dark black with lighter mohagony edges. It is poured with a nice one finger head that develops into a film over the entire beer. Nice alcoholic legs that are now a standard with these Eclipse releases.

I could not keep my nose out of my snifter. Absolutely perfect. Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, toffee, coffee, sweet whisky sugars, a little bit of marshmelow.

It kept getting better and better every time I took a sip of this magnificant brew. Everything that I could smell was beautifully integrated in the beer. The notes of strong chocolate were being muted by vanilla and caramel, slight hints of coffee were accompanied by the roasted grains and strong sense of barrel. The whisky was not overly powering but integrated perfectly with other flavors. I mention in a few of my reviews how barrels push flavors to the brink. I do say that the flavors on this beer are not overpowering in any way. Overall incredibly impressed with the age on this one.

Outstanding.
J

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2010 05:15:19 | More by Jmoore50

DosBeerigos

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

C: How Clear is Black?
H: Deep Black
N: Chocolate, Bourbon, & hints of Vanilla

WOW, A Perfect Barrel Aged Beer? Maybe not perfect, but this is DAMN CLOSE.
Tons of chocolate with hints of bourbon all though the taste. The mouth feel is fantastic, even with little-to-no carbonation. I would like just a hint of more body, but honestly this is one of the best barrel aged beers I have ever had.
If you have the opportunity to try it, DO IT! Big thanks to JahLove for hooking me up with a taste of this!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 18:12:59 | More by DosBeerigos

DarthKostrizer

California

4.93/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This review is of the 09' vintage as i did a side by side of this one and the 11' this past weekend

Look: Very dark brown almost black in color with a 1/4 inch tan head and ok retention and when you drink it down it leaves a film on the side of the glass

Smell: The nose is loaded with copious amounts of chocolate, oak, marshmallow, coconut, and bourbon

Taste: The flavor is just as good if not better than the nose. It starts out with a wonder chocolate and coconut flavor and the coconut is just wonderful. The beer then finishes with a nice amount of oak and elijah bourbon. The alcohol is incredibly well hidden where as the 11' the alcohol still shows its face

Mouthfeel: Medium body and mild carbonation with absolutely no alcohol burn which the 11' still had

Overall: The 09' is drinking incredible well at this point and I honestly don't see it getting any better where I believe the 11 could use some time in the bottle but is still great in its own right

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 21:03:41 | More by DarthKostrizer

ShadesOfGray

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks jmu500! Opened and shared with some friends on Kate the Great Day 'eve. Reviewing from notes. Poured from a 22oz bottle with purple wax top into a small brandy snifter. Pour is dark with a very nice looking frothy head, and excelent sticky lacing.

Wow, the aroma is strong and wonderful! Tons of bourbon and roasted coffee. The booze is very prominent. If you like stouts, you'll be in love with the aroma of this beer...sweet and inviting...mouth watering if you will!

What an awesome beer! The bourbon just adds complexity and warmth to a great backbone. Tons of malty sweetness, chocolate, roasted barley...just totally sweet, but not overkill or overwhelming. Full body, creamy, and semi-thick, yet excelent drinkability. Carbonation is perfect for this beer. Overall...and again, what an awesome beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2010 03:21:00 | More by ShadesOfGray

AdamF625

Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

After digging through the esthetically pleasing purple way it was poured into a snifter

A- pours dark brown/black. Finger worth of creamy khaki head.

S- honey. Bourbon. Chocolate

M- smooth and creamy

t- honey and bourbon at first then a smooth warm chocolate finish.

O- great bourbon barrel stout. I'm glad I had it fresh but the high price tag may steer me away in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:10:33 | More by AdamF625

billshmeinke

California

4.83/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

After immense struggling with the wax, I got the bottle top off. Poured halfway into a duvel tulip.

Seriously pitch black, I can see my reflection in the glass. Half finger bubbly khaki head. Good retention. Head resides to covering half the surface of the beer and good head around the edge of the brew that is touching glass.

Lots of fragrance as soon as the bottle is opened. Smells like dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and pistachio. Also, sweet chocolate malts and alcohol.

Tastes like vanilla, chocolate, coconut, bourbon, nut oil (almond, peanut, pistachio).

This beer is quite heavy. Fairly well carbonated, and medium dry.

Good drinkability. Especially for the abv.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2010 12:11:43 | More by billshmeinke

shortysdude285

California

4.83/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very deep brown. Not quite black as it's not entirely opaque, especially in front of light. No real carbonation or lacing to speak of.

S - Smell is complex and incredibly well balanced. A little heat at first from the barrel, with notes of coffee, licorice, and brown sugar.

T - Taste is as delicious as the smell. With every sip I swirl it on my tongue for a bit before swallowing to get the full body. Not quite as good as the Heaven Hill was in my opinion but the difference doesn't change the 5 rating

M - The low carbonation gives it a smooth taste, caramelizing in the mouth before being swallowed. Not too sticky, but the highlights of the taste complexities stick around after the liquid is gone.

D - Though I love Imperial Stouts, 1 bottle usually pretty much does me in for a night. However, this one somehow packs a backdoor drinkability. Along with its incredibly complex flavors, I find myself just wanting more and more of it.

Unfortunately this is my last of my bottles that isn't for trading with the exception of my 1 EC and 1 HH I have aging, but those are for another time. Can't wait to try these two again with some settling time.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 03:59:52 | More by shortysdude285

MBrausen

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 Vintage, poured from a bottle into a CBS snifter.

A. Pours a pitch black color with a very slight red hue, a 1mm head that quickly resides to light bubbles.

S. Smells very sweet, somewhat of port wine, light chocolate and whiskey.

T. Tastes of chocolate, port wine flavors coming through and some mild and well blended whiskey.

M. Medium-heavy body, tingle and a wine-style dryness, with high carbonation.

O. This is an amazingly good beer. Very smooth and well bodied. Not very hot at all given this has not been aged at all. Lots of bold flavors. A beer everyone should attempt to have at some point!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 03:20:19 | More by MBrausen

FosterJM

California

4.83/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

1361st Review on BA
Bottle to CBS Snifter
22oz

2011 Purple Wax

App- So I am really suprised at the black richness of this compared to the 18 year. Much more inky black with a better two finer head with a great line of cling and a swirl on the top.

Smell- This is a great smelling stout. Its a bit of a bourbon, creme, vanilla, chocolate mousse type of thing. No burn at all on the nostrils and just can sit and smell for days. The booze is there on a large pull but its completely hidden within the confines of a small smell.

Taste- I can understand why this one is the best of the bunch. Has a ton of flavor behind it without being cloying or abrasive. The booze is super hidden and the bourbon adds just layers of super creamy flavors. Its a bit oaky and vanilla and a bit of a whip creme like note. Just a wonderful stout. To me its almost a baby BT. Just cut in 1/2.

Mouth- A full medium body with a low medium carbonation. Super creamy with a lush feel to it. Just a smidge too thin. I am just being nitpicky I think. Amazing residual creme, vanilla and oaky booze.

Drink- There is no doubt in my mind why this is so highly rated. I know why I wasnt a fan of the 18. This kicked its ass and now I am kicking my ass for not drinking this sooner and ordering more of it...DAMN!!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 03:57:49 | More by FosterJM

JohnQVD

New York

4.83/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours black with a thin bubbly head. Heavy bourbon smell, kind of sweet. Medium-thin body, with light carbonation. The bourbon taste is heavy, with some roasted coffee in the background and a very small amount of carbonation bite. Mild aftertaste with a slight lingering astringent bitterness.

This is well-balanced for as bourbon forward as it is. This is one of the best bourbon-barrel aged beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 20:47:27 | More by JohnQVD

francisweizen

Australia

4.8/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark, dark, dark black with a small mocha whisp head

S: Bourbon, specifically Elijah Craig!, a bit of oak, vanilla, and almost some red wine in the very very back

T: Oak, chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, and more.

M: Thick, in fact almost a bit too thick for this BA

O: Phenomenal but almost overdone. This is fantastic, but the drinkability is an issue for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 05:15:31 | More by francisweizen

rxdrewthejew

California

4.8/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this in a flight last night at Blue Palms. Very impressive stuff.

This was taster number 2. The appearance is nothing special, dark black, no head to speak of, but looks a bit syrupy. The smell really jumps out at you. It smells very sweet, boozy, bourbon and vanilla. The smell is great but it did make me a bit concerned that the beer would be oversweet. Not a problem though. The beer is sweet, but not overly so, and a lot of the booze in the nose is gone in the taste. Vanilla, coffee, bourbon and chocolate dominate the flavor. Very little roastyness, which I really like in a stout. The feel is outstanding. Low carbonation, and very smooth and syrupy. Coats the mouth and the flavor lasts. Finish lingers but is not dry. Although it's a sipper, the glass was gone before I even realized it. And the alcohol is surprisingly low considering the flavor...this is practically sessionable as imperial stouts go. Really really good stuff, by far the best of the four Eclipses I had last night.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 01:45:56 | More by rxdrewthejew

gtermi

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: This beer is black as night. Even when it is held up to light, there is no way of even slightly seeing through it. It has a pretty thin tan head and it leaves a lot lace on the glass. The head never fully goes away.

S: Wow, this smells like I am about to drink a glass of Bourbon. There are some roasted malt and alcohol on the nose, but really the bourbon smell is way too over-powering.

T: At first its just like a glass of bourbon.... but then the beer lingers and lingers and lingers. After the beer moves past the bourbon, it starts to get a nice vanilla taste to it... Then after that I get some roasted malt and then after that, I start to get a sweet caramel. It is such an amazing taste.

M: For as strong and as much alcohol as this beer has, it is beyond smooth. It has hardly any burn to it and leaves a slight dry feeling in my mouth. A perfect mouthfeel for this style of beer.

O: I was very shocked at how awesome this is. The smell really turned me off at first, but once you drink it and then smell it, it compliments the beer. This for sure belongs in the top 100 beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 03:15:20 | More by gtermi

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I would be a liar if I said I was not entirely over joyed to be able to crack open this purple wax seal last night. Bottle #1152, I have only previously had the Pappy version which was outstanding. But this was a whole new level. Served damn near room temperature for most of the session, this one was
consumed on 07/11/2010.

Pours dark as night, abyss like with no color coming through and the viscosity of oil. Small head of tan peaks up fro just a moment before settling back down to earth and leaving a mostly bare top that had some decent lacing down the glass,
but never really did recover.

Aroma is deep vanilla and boozy notes. Hits you like a ton of bricks right from the start. Amazing depth here, dark chocolate goo, rich roasted coffee that provides a touch of bitterness to the back end. Toffee, wood notes and as it really hit its peak a dark fruit that almost came across kind of smoky. Rich, thick profile, really like chewing on it as it goes down and you feel every drop of this one. Vanilla leads that charge with a soaking dose of whiskey and cocoa. Extremely mean flavor as each sip wanted to destroy my body on me, really un cool, but I wanted it. Final taste was a long boozy vanilla that mixed well with a light coffee bitterness to seal the deal.

Overall really just a great, great beer. I am not sure what more you could ask for in a BA RIS, other then a bit bigger of a look. But damn, this one laid me out.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 15:30:54 | More by mikesgroove

waltonc

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I'm a big fan of Elijah Craig bourbon so it's great to have a chance to try a stout aged in EC barrels.

A: Pours non-opaque dark brown without a great deal of head. Some lacing lingers after the pour.

S: lots of bourbon, vanilla, chocolate and oak.

T: One of the better-tasting barrel-aged stouts I have had. Heavy bourbon in this, but it works. Fairly sweet, with plenty of vanilla, toffee, and chocolate character. No heat, and not particularly boozy. Little hop presence. So right up my alley, as I don't care for hoppy stouts (e.g., some Abyss vintages), and get annoyed when crazy high ABV beers are bottled in bombers or 750s.

M: As with all Eclipses, this is medium-bodied and will slightly disappoint those who think a barrel aged stout is required to be thick. Great in my opinion, though. Carbonation is light to moderate.

D: Overall, one of the best bourbon barrel-aged stouts I have had. Love all the different barrel treatments Fifty Fifty is doing with this.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 00:23:25 | More by waltonc

phisigben

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 vintage served in a snifter

Its pours pitch black, with a deep dark mocha colored head it leaves only a finger width head that dissipates quickly and leaves a ring of lacing. The bourbon is up front but it isn't over powering as other 50/50's I also get some chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and a good oak aroma. The taste is absolutely amazing with most other BA stouts the barrel aging overpowers the other flavors of the stout with this beer the other flavors from the base stout like chocolate, vanilla, and roasted flavor come through and complement the barrel aging. The mouthfeel is good a little viscous but not out of line for the style a little more carbonation could have made this better. Overall this is one of the best aged stouts that I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 20:02:20 | More by phisigben

yamar68

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to corregidore for this one, along with an 18 year! Been hunting for this one for a while. 2011 vintage, #3,307, poured from bottle to brandy snifter:

Pours a near pitch black... maintaining a slight bit of dark copper clarity. A thin half-finger of light brown head fades out to a neat collar. Great, oily lacing. Nice looking beer.

Tons of lush honeycomb and caramel cake on the nose... super refined, just a suggestion of booze comes with a big snort. Rich bourbon without the heat.

Holy hell... fantastic. It's nice that this is 9.5% because it allows for a smooth bourbon character that isn't accompanied by too much alcohol which sometimes can trick your mind into tasting heat from the bourbon itself. Honey and caramel play key roles. Exceptionally drinkable for a BA imperial stout.

One of the most unique and delicious beers I've ever had.

ISO.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 23:05:36 | More by yamar68

largadeer

California

4.73/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 batch.

Dark and opaque chocolate brown in color, topped by a tiny 1/4 inch head that quickly settles to the thinnest of rings. There's faint translucency around the edges.

The Elijah Craig bourbon barrel imparted a huge mark on this beer - it absolutely reeks of sweet caramel, vanilla and oak. While the Heaven Hill Rye and Jack Daniels versions of this beer have well-integrated and somewhat balanced barrel characters, this one is dominated by bourbon. The chocolatey, roasty, bready base beer is still present, but it's more of a foundation for the incredible aromas the barrel has imparted.

It's equally bourbon-forward on the tongue, opening with flavors of maple syrup, dark fruit, vanilla and honey. The mid-palate brings out a balancing roastiness, hints of licorice and burnt toast. The body is medium-full and creamy, though not especially viscous or oily. The finish is bittersweet and hot, like a liqueur-filled chocolate.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2010 05:12:49 | More by largadeer

4thelvofbeer

Virginia

4.73/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Awesome. Period. This was my first of the many eclipses, the EC12 was smooth and absolutely delicious!
A:Black, nice thin brown head.
S/T: Notes of smooth bourbon, honey, vanilla, molasses, and chocolate!
M: Really smooth, silky and nice...
O: I love this stout...really tasty!

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 22:50:56 | More by 4thelvofbeer

Ynot2

California

4.72/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My first review and it is a winner.

Pours into a tulip glass a deep dark black with a faint line of tan foam.

A wonderful aroma of chocolate, vanilla, caramel, Bourbon and oaks.

The first taste matches the aroma, sweet vanilla and chocolate melded with a smooth bourbon taste. Nothing overwhelms other flavors in this complex beer.

A rich fairly full profile, sweet but enough bourbon to not be too sticky.

Very drinkable especially for a beer with this level of bourbon.

I liked this beer more as it came up to temperature, the aromas and the flavors just kept improving.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 04:20:19 | More by Ynot2

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Purple wax. Bottle number 2521, 2011 vintage. Poured into a snifter.

A- Pours pretty damn near black, mahogany highlights at the edges when held to light. Capped with a thin creamy tan head that eventually settles to a thin collar. Good lacing.

S- First thing is bourbon, a bit smoky, behind it is some fruit, molasses, and thick roasted malts with coffee and a bit of dark chocolate.

T- Malt and bourbon flavors are competing from the get go. The first thing I'm tasting is chewy, cake-like roasted malts with a lot of chocolate and a bit of coffee, wrestling with a smoky bourbon with vanilla and oak. The bourbon on this beer is perfect, it provides just a bit of alcohol burn towards the finish but doesn't overpower the other flavors, it's really spot-on. Underneath this there's a fruity layer, with raisins, figs and dates.

M- Full-bodied, thick and chewy, smooth feel, carbonation is on the lower side but is perfect for this beer. Alcohol isn't intrusive on the flavor and provides a nice warmth as you drink.

O- I can't remember the last time I had an Imperial Stout like this, take this as a benchmark of what the style should be and how to barrel age a beer. Totally delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 06:54:24 | More by WillCarrera

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle 2741 for 2011.

Poured at cellar-to-room temp into snifter. Short tan head over a deep brown cola body (when held to the light). Spotty lacing.

Aromas are full of deep red wine, with some dark chocolate, and oak barrel. Pretty sure that if you didn't look at this, you'd swear it was a wine.

Amazingly smooth on the palate. Flavors are much sweeter than the nose, with dark chocolate, vanilla, molasses, wood, floral hops, and then mocha in the finish. The bourbon really only comes through in the "glow" / aromas that accompany the swallow. Freaking creamy and smooth for a BBA Impy Stout...only a hint of carbonation. But zero harsh.

Honestly, if this were on draft I'd have to be cut off for the first time in my life. This is a remarkably smooth and tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 03:45:02 | More by BeerImmediately

scottfrie

California

4.68/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into Delirium Noël glass. Bottle #49. Bottled 2009. This is apparently my 200th review, although I did not plan it. It turns out this is a very fitting (amazing) beer to mark this occasion.

A: Pours a deep black with dark brown highlights. Hardly any head or lace. After a moment this beer is flat looking with just a slight bubbly collar around the glass.
S: Big notes of bourbon, vanilla and oak. Amazing smelling. Also picking up powdered cocoa and maybe the slightest hint of dark cherries and sweet honey.
T: The barrel really came out in this one with dominant flavors of vanilla, oak, and bourbon. There is an overall honey sweetness and buttery richness to this brew. Aftertaste is full of honey that seems to coat your mouth. Light coffee and chocolate syrup throughout.
M: Fairly thick and sticky. Very viscous but damn near flat with a touch of rough tannins to round out the finish. Alcohol is warm but incredibly smooth. Low carbonation.
D: This one took imperial stout to a new level for me. What an amazingly rich and flavorful yet smooth and drinkable beer. I could easily finish off a bottle of this by myself. What a wonderful beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 02:43:57 | More by scottfrie

jrallen34

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I drank this originally from a tasting glass at NotB then re-reviewed and scored off a bottle from Nate on 3/20/2011... The beer pours a super dark black, hardly any head though. Poor lacing... The aroma is great, chocolate brownies, vanilla, bourbon finish. Not decadent or overstated, very restrained. Outstanding... The taste is superbly balanced, tastes great, and easily crushable. Fudge brownies, vanilla, light bourbon, a nice warm alcohol sensation in the middle, and the finish has some nice roasted coffee notes. The full spectrum is displayed and perfectly integrated. I had the PVW last weekend I think I almost prefer this, would love to do a side-by-side comparison.

I originally rated this a 4.6, this time its deservedly higher.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 03:54:11 | More by jrallen34