Imperial Eclipse Stout - Elijah Craig (20 Year) - FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: The beer itself has a dark brown hue with lighter, transparent brown edges. A small tan head forms on the initial pour but fades away without really leaving any lace.

Smell: The 18 year Elijah Craig comes through first, like my experience with the other barrel aged Eclipse beers. Molasses, vanilla, and oak are strong as well, with chocolate and coffee behind.

Taste: The Elijah Craig is a little bit more nuanced in the flavor. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee start a fairly strong imperial stout flavor. As soon as it starts turning sweet with vanilla and molasses notes, the bourbon and oak dry the flavor out and prevent it from moving too far in that direction. The bourbon really carries through to the finish. Interestingly, when I first tasted the Eclipse beers, I thought the flavor of the beer was quite strong, with the barrel flavor adding further depth. Now I notice the barrel flavor and feel the underlying stout might leave a little bit on the table.

Mouthfeel: For the style, the body feels to be in the middle of the spectrum. The carbonation is on the light side, trying to be creamy and smooth, but it could use some more carbonation.

Overall: This is another solid Eclipse that I am glad to have tried.

I am curious whether people who have given this beer such a great score have sampled it side by side with the Eclipse - Elijah Craig 12 year. There is not that big of a difference.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 22:51:52 | More by KickInTheChalice

GregSVT

Texas

4.69/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

White waxed bomber into a snifter - 2011 Vintage

A: Pours a dark brown with a nice brown head that fades to a ring and leaves lacing all over the glass as you drink.

S: The nose is an amazing mix of vanilla, chocolate, honey, and barrel.

T: The taste is superb! Lots of vanilla, chocolate fudge, honey, roasty malt, and bourbon. The barrel has been toned down a bit here to let the chocolate and honey come forward more but it's still close to the forefront.

M: The feel is creamy and on the lighter side of medium...par for the course for the Eclipse series.

O: This is definitely one of the best variants. The barrel compliments the base beer perfectly and isn't overpowering at all. Age has done it some wonders as well. I had one fresh and it was a bit boozy but this is fudgy/vanilla heaven.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 23:00:38 | More by GregSVT

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-19-2013 13:34:13 | More by Photekut

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

05-18-2013 18:27:13 | More by eyeenjoybeer

carlosega

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%

05-16-2013 20:18:33 | More by carlosega

Esper1

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

05-14-2013 18:17:23 | More by Esper1

Jspriest

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

05-14-2013 17:54:10 | More by Jspriest

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottle #1094. Thanks Mrbubbler!

Appearance. Pours black (and not especially thick) with a skim of tan head.

Smell. Woody, sweet, and very smooth bourbon, caramel, vanilla and chocolate, some coffee. Not too shabs.

Taste. Very woody, smooth bourbon, caramel and vanilla, a little chocolate and a bit of coffee.

Mouthfeel. On the low side of full bodied, low carbonation.

Overall. A nice stout with a good amount of bourbon. Smooth and not a lot of heat.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:39:36 | More by Rutager

jkane101

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

05-14-2013 00:34:53 | More by jkane101

chrisp450

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -10.7%

05-14-2013 00:04:42 | More by chrisp450

BMart

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%

05-13-2013 16:34:54 | More by BMart

BRoss242

Louisiana

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-10-2013 09:49:29 | More by BRoss242

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%

05-07-2013 23:40:17 | More by cadaugherty

caguiar

New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-07-2013 22:48:26 | More by caguiar

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-06-2013 15:42:47 | More by MinorThreat

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-06-2013 12:48:02 | More by SkeeterBoganski

Pete27lax

New York

4.75/5  rDev +6%

05-01-2013 15:00:10 | More by Pete27lax

weonfire

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

04-29-2013 01:46:50 | More by weonfire

zachattack555

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

04-28-2013 20:38:31 | More by zachattack555

warnerry

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +0.4%

04-28-2013 19:11:27 | More by warnerry

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +6%

04-19-2013 13:51:57 | More by Slatetank

spicelab

Australia

4.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottle thanks to DJButters. Reviewed fom notes.

Brown hued black with a modest saffron head. Recedes to a resilient film and collar.

Coconut, liquorice bullets, candied apples and honey.

Marshmallow, toffee apple, liquorice bullets, refined oak and mild plastic. Finishes surprisingly dry.

Smooth, not remotely heavy, with silky carbonation. Lovely benign dry roasty finish.

Uncomplicated and highly approachable, with well contained barrel character.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 03:57:00 | More by spicelab

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +6%

04-18-2013 23:50:11 | More by bcostner1

imyourhero21

California

4.75/5  rDev +6%

04-17-2013 17:09:05 | More by imyourhero21

ArchEnemyBrew

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%

04-15-2013 03:42:58 | More by ArchEnemyBrew