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

MrVonzipper

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

11-11-2012 11:05:49 | More by MrVonzipper

spycow

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

01-12-2013 06:47:58 | More by spycow

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

01-08-2013 22:53:10 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

HaveUSeenMyCellar

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

12-07-2012 02:00:31 | More by HaveUSeenMyCellar

tbone1384

Wyoming

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

11-09-2012 14:50:28 | More by tbone1384

AgentZero

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

08-11-2012 02:07:27 | More by AgentZero

DarthKostrizer

California

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

05-27-2012 02:33:11 | More by DarthKostrizer

largadeer

California

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap somewhere. This came from a single EC 20 year barrel, and spent a little less time on oak than the final bottled product.

Appearance: Pretty typical brownish-black Eclipse appearance, with a touch more carbonation and greater head retention from the draft pour.

Smell: A lot of dark chocolate on the nose, and a greater roasted malt presence compared to the bottled version. Plenty of caramel and vanilla from the barrel, but less actual oak. Faint smoke and black licorice.

Palate: As the nose suggests, this leans a bit more toward dark chocolate and roasted malt when compared to the blended bottled version. Bourbon is well integrated and contributes layers of vanilla and caramel, with a trace of oak beneath. The licorice flavors of Totality seem emphasized here, but the body feels bigger. Sweetness is moderate, certainly not excessive or cloying, though it's decidedly rich.

Overall: Damn good.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 21:34:54 | More by largadeer

GreatBloomer

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +2.2%

03-18-2012 18:41:33 | More by GreatBloomer

PaulStoneAnchor

California

5/5  rDev +7.5%

03-16-2012 04:07:48 | More by PaulStoneAnchor

imperialking

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

03-07-2012 01:03:53 | More by imperialking

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4.5/5  rDev -3.2%

02-24-2012 21:53:22 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

MasterSki

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Keg originally intended for FoBAB. An unblended variant from the *actual* single barrel 20-year Elijah Craig. Served in a tulip.

A - Nice finger of tan foam settles to a thin cap and thicker collar, leaving behind tiny spots of lace. Very dark brown body with some lighter brown coloration at the fringes.

S - Oak, vanilla, light smoke, melted chocolate, touch of honey, and a hint of alcohol as it warms up. Quite similar in character to the Elijah Craig 18 year sampled side-by-side.

T - Taste has less oak and more molten chocolate, vanilla, caramel, fudge, toasted almonds, maple, hint of coconut, and light smoke. Bourbon presence is low and well-integrated.

M - Smooth, creamy, with some melted chocolate texture. Surprisingly hefty for an Eclipse variant, with pleasant lower carbonation, and no perceptible booze at all.

D - This is a superb Eclipse variant, possibly the best I've had since the 2008 Pappy Van Winkle. I really enjoyed this, and I'm assuming there are still some kegs squirreled away for future events - unless the Todd & Co. drank the remaining 40+ gallons. It's perhaps a tad sweet to drink is massive quantities, but it's delicious stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 19:57:10 | More by MasterSki