Imperial Eclipse Stout - Vanilla Rye
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

 

16oz can poured into a tulip

A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger creamy khaki head that eventually settles into a thin film on top

S- plenty of vanilla to be found initially, giving notes of vanilla bean and creamy marshmallow. Some oak and peppery rye quickly follows the vanilla, along with dark chocolate, char & hints of caramel, espresso and dark fruits

T- as with the nose, the vanilla takes the lead up front, coming across as a straight vanilla bean that quickly turns into a creamy marshmallow. Mid-palate quickly gives a peppery rye bite with some oaky compliments. The finish gives some sweet malty chocolate before more peppery and oaky rye, the vanilla lingers long after

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that turns a bit slick into the finish

O- the vanilla really comes through here with a bold compliment of the rye barrel, well done

 

 

Look - black and thick nice tan head and rim, slight lace
Smell - booze rye vanilla bourbon roasted malt
Taste - boozy rye chocolate vanilla
Feel - medium full body medium light carb
Overall - different and would be better with morebody

 

I miss my annual shipment of Eclipse I used to purchase each winter but the expense eventually overwhelmed my lack of common sense. Here is a 16 oz. can split with my wife. Nice can, too.

Black with minimal life on top. Nose is as advertised: wood, vanilla, rye. On point.

Imperial Eclipse Stout – Vanilla Rye is throwback good – I should have my Len Whitehouse jersey on. All the components button up very politely. Heavy rye violates the palate immediately, backed by sharp wood, light vanilla, & a long slow slide into a sweet finish. No pastry stout this, but that helps it rise in the drinkability ability.

Just a good old-fashioned barrel aged stout. Very good.

 

 

Pours dark black though not quite pitch black. Aroma is wonderful combination of the whiskey, roasty malts, hint of vanilla and dark fruitiness. Taste is incredible with a stronger sweet vanilla flavor (as compared to the nose), the roasty malts and whiskey are right there and those dark fruit flavors. Mouthfeel is medium at best. I expected a much more fuller, thicker mouthfeel.

**
12/30/20

2018 Bottle to snifter.

LOOK: dark black, medium look of viscosity for the style. Small light brown head, fades quick , but with very good retention .

AROMA: roasted malt, muted whiskey, dark fruit. very smooth and nice aromas, though not extremely strong. Age may have contributed to this, but I think it's a good thing. Everything that comes through melds very nicely.

TASTE: lightly toasted malt, semi sweet chocolate, raisin, pepper, berry, plum, brandy. Very tasty.

FEEL: medium to full body, a bit surprised it is not more dense. very smooth. somewhat watery finish. Peppery spice flavors are felt as dryness after 6-7 oz.

Very Nice. Realized after jotting tasting notes, that I did not mention Vanilla. I think it gets wrapped up in the chocolaty flavors. Overall this is very tasty and aged well (though I never had a fresh one). Could maybe use a bit more body and Vanilla.

**

It pours rather dark and is without a lot of head, at least from my two year aged bottle inside of a pint glass (2018 batch). You can taste the vanilla right off the bat with this stout, and it does have a slight sweet flavor to it as well. You can also taste the alcohol it carries with it, though it is not at all distracting from its overall flavor. Rye is nicely sensed throughout every sip.

It is smooth and not to heavy in your belly, perfect for riding out troubled storms.

Very dark brown, minimal highlights. Pinky worth of khaki crown.

The smell is candied dark fruit mixing with vanilla, honey, rye and boozy warmness.

The taste brings a ton of honey before turning to the other sweetness of vanilla and a bit of spicy rye as well.

Smooth, creamy mouthfeel through the whole thing. Rye is evident throughout. Almost still carbonation.

Overall, I think this thing might be able to do without the honey. But it could be because of the addition of vanilla sweetness.

 

 

 

2018 vanilla rye Eclipse imperial stout found on Tavour.

Poured in a pint glass, this brew was only black with a tall creamy head that lasted forever. Great looking beer.

Aroma had vanilla and malt notes but milder than I would expect. Ok, but could be improved.

Flavor was oak, vanilla, rye and goooood. Not overly sweet. No bitterness.

Feel wasn't as thick as I thought it would be given its dark color. Goes down faster and easier than most barrel aged brews.

 

 

Look: Khaki colored head that sits a couple fingers high after the initial pour. Dark brown beer that’s opaque with no visible carbonation. No lacing to speak of as I drink the beer.

Smell: Soft nose of natural vanilla, milk chocolate, raisin, date, fig, caramel, nutty/woody oak, a hint of pleasant bourbon ABV as the beer warms followed by some natural pumpkin aroma.

Taste: Up front this beer brings sweet oak, dark, dried fruit including fig, date and raisin. A faint hint of creamy, smooth peanut butter with very soft, spicy rye notes. Soft, fluffy notes of vanilla. Milk chocolate and fudge.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation with a soft mouthfeel. Medium body complementing the flavor profile but leaves more to be desired.

Overall: An enjoyable Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout. A subtle beer that allows one to appreciate the nuanced dark fruit flavors of fig, date and raisin, which define the beer for me.