Bourbon Barrel-Aged Third Orbit Imperial Cherry Porter
Ecliptic Brewing

16oz bottle poured into 110z tulip. Poured a nearly solid black color, with just the thinnest cap of tan head that very low retention and no lacing.

Solid Porter malts, soft barrel effects, and very slight cherry.

Pretty similar on the tongue, with the cherry and barrel showing up a bit better.

The body was a bit thinner than I like in the style, but was smooth and even, with a semi-sweet finish.

Drinkability was pretty nice, an easy drinker for it's size. Overall, a pretty nice brew, worth a shot if you see it.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours nearly black, appearing opaque black in the glass, with a one finger brown head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, bourbon and a hint of cherry and chocolate. Flavor follows, with dark toasted malt, baker's chocolate, a little oak and mild oxidation, bourbon and light cherry. Dry malt, bourbon and some caramel in the finish. Medium bodied with light creaminess and sharp carbonation. A nice, mellow bourbon barrel porter. The malt body is a little lighter than I expected with less toasted char than the base porter. Still well balanced, with bourbon and light cherry that are integrated with the porter malt. Hints of chocolate and the slight caramel in the finish make the lingering aftertaste quite pleasant, working well with the bourbon. I liked the original Third Orbit and it has passed through the barrel quite pleasantly. The levels of the bourbon and cherry are well done and do not dominate, which can happen with both these strong flavors. Enjoyable. Ecliptic has been doing a good job on their beers and getting good distribution, I'm surprised there aren't more reviews of this here.

Black as the Ace of Spades. FIne-grained brownish foam that leaves rings in the tall Belle-Vue Gueuze glass. Lovely scent of Bourbon. Tangy and a little sharp on the tongue. But seriously malty, even syrupy.

Dark roast malt and bitter chocolate flavors. The cherry flavor is quite distinct and even shows up in the nose. Quite sweet but has a fairly bitter aftertaste. Long nose of Bourbon as you enjoy the glow. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Elizabeth Station.