50/50 Eclipse in MA

I find it interesting that one of the worst whiskeys of the bunch is everyone's favorite of the Eclipse. Makes me wonder if the barrels used were fresher/wetter than the rest or whatnot.

I also find it strange that if these were in such high demand, why they made it to the MA market.

 

Blind, there's no way I could tell what brand of bourbon was used, but there are definitely differences between the Eclipses. A couple years ago I was lucky enough to partake of an Eclipse tasting that included EC 12, PvW, HH (two vintages), 4 Roses, and Brandy. The differences between bourbons were subtle but noticeable, while the rye and (obviously) brandy were totally distinct.

I don't doubt that, given a side-by-side comparison of Corn Whiskey Eclipse and any other, I could identify the Corn Whiskey. I'm not a huge fan of corn whiskey, though, so I didn't see the point in dropping $30 to confirm this prediction - I'll just have to see whether wheated Bourbon stands out from a traditional mash. Darn.

 

Side by side comparison could show a lot of nuances, sure. But I doubt that the average beer drinker, and I don't meant to apply a negative meaning to the phrase, would be able to tell that the barrel, used to age beer, previously contained whiskey, whose mash consisted of 51% corn and not 80%. Or vice versa.

P.S.

Wheat in bourbon mash, while in the minority, is hardly non-traditional. It's been known since mid-XIX century, at least.

 

You're 100% correct, which is why it's so silly that people get crazy over Pappy barrel aged beers. The average beer drinker couldn't even point out the difference between a glass of Four Roses and a glass of Pappy 23, nevermind distinguishing the mere fumes that get imparted into a barrel aged RIS. What seems to make more of a difference is how long a beer is aged for in the barrel, not what type of bourbon is used.

That said, that's the entire point of this Eclipse series - to compare and contrast the various bourbon/whiskey barrels. There's no question that you can tell the difference between them, be it side by side or even some time apart.

 

Perhaps I should have said "standard" instead of "traditional," but I think my meaning was clear: when Bourbon is made with wheat as one of its minority grains, it's called wheated Bourbon, but when it has rye instead nobody calls it "ryed Bourbon" - it's just plain Bourbon.

I've done some more reading, though, and while my meaning may have been clear enough, my facts were wrong. I didn't realize until just now that Bernheim is a genuine Wheat Whiskey, and no more a Bourbon than Rye is; also, I wasn't aware that Old Fitzgerald itself is a wheated Bourbon.

Now I kind of wish I'd sprung for an EC 12 and a Rittenhouse Rye, so as to see the differences between majority wheat, corn with wheat, corn with rye, and majority rye.

 

I've had two versions of the rye, and both have been great. The '09 was especially delicious. Can't justify $30 for beers like this anymore though.

 

Average??? According to the very website to which you and I both subscribe, the Eclipses are "Exceptional." I have four of them. I drank the Elijah Craig 12--amazing. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to drinking the Evan Williams. EW is my favorite bourbon, and I'm originally from Ky.

 

The Mellow Corn Whiskey is made with a very high corn mash 71% or higher. It is aged in 2nd use Bourbon barrels(it is the 2nd use) and thus cannot envoke the term Bourbon. The high corn mash causes the whiskey to be a tad bit sweeter and a sensation of oiliness on the pallette. The whiskey is less oaky and lacks the depth and complexity we expect from spirits aged in first use barrels. The Mellow Corn Eclipse demstrates this as a more suttle oak signature while showing a bit more EtOH. I wanted to use these barrels for Eclipse so I could experince the expression of the 2nd use barrel. After stating the above the actual whiskey is looking like a new entrant for mixologists to use in cocktails versus a 'sipping Bourbon'.

 

I hope my reply didn't offend you. And no, what you meant was not clear to me. I thought you used the term as in unorthodox, so... But it is clear now.

You might be surprised, but the term is not used as often as you might think. Not trying to sound snobbish, but most people do not understand the terms written on the bottles, such as "straight" or "sour mash", let alone something that requires some research.

 

That's exactly when I started thinking about it, a while ago. When people talked about it as if using Van Winkle alone guarantees a great, almost the best, barrel aged beer.

I hope I didn't sound like I'm trying to knock down the entire idea behind it. It is very interesting, agreed.

 

80% is the minimum for corn. If I'm not mistaken, Mellow Corn is 80% corn, 10% barley and 10% rye.

 

It should have read 81% Corn. Thanks for the fact check. Mellow Corn is an interesting spirit...I think it was created as an answer to the surge in interest Bourbon and cocktails.

 

On one hand, I want to go buy a bunch of these, but on the other hand...seems rather gimmicky to me....

oh the dilemma....

 

Does anyone have all the wax colors and which beers they are?

 

http://www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com/?pg=eclipse

 

Blanchard's Allston received a couple of the Elijah 12, Corn Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye, and Evan Williams. $31.95 off the shelf (on top of the whiskey case).

 

Table and Vine announced last night they have some.

2012 Wax Guide and name of barrel:

Purple - Elijah Craig 12yr
Blue - Old Fitzgerald
Beige - Bernheim Wheat
Green - Rittenhouse Rye
Black - Evan Willams
Metallic Gold - Corn Whiskey


We got One Case each - No Holding - First Come First Serve.
$29.99/22oz bottle

 

DAmn, didnt realize these were getting distributed in MA, I would pay $30 all day

 

Still more around in the Boston area at least. They're sitting in a few places cause of the high price tag. Check the regs....

 

I actually live out in Western Mass, thanks to the above post I am gonna swing by Table and Vine, hopefully pick up some Founders IS and Lagunitas Sucks too!

Thanks for the tips guys