Best FiftyFifty Eclipse Imperial Stout variants?

Some of those are new for this year, so you won't be able to get many opinions on them. I tried Java Coffee last year, and that was super tasty, I would definitely recommend it. I always hear really good things about the Elijah Craig 12 version, too.

 

EC12 is probably the best variant.

Java Coffee is also quite good.

That is of course assuming you aren't including brewery only releases like Pappy and Masterpeice.

I don't think they are worth $30 though, I would take a gamble on them at least once though. After that, you can decide if it is worth $30 to get more, I find they tend to sit on the shelf for a while and aren't hard to find.

 

There was no 'none, spend your money on 2 world class bombers and skip this'

I pulled the trigger a few months back on the Elijah Craig 12 and was entirely underwhelmed. I mean, it was very nice, and an enjoyable beer, but not worth anywhere near $30.

I put the Eclipse variants in the same category as Hoppin Frog Barrel BORIS which (at least in Chicago) is similarly available, and 'only' $18. I would probably buy the Hoppin Frog again for $18 (overpriced by a few bucks), but I won't ever pick up an Eclipse again (overpriced by $15)... I actually saw one on sale a few weeks later for half price and left it on the shelf - Even at $15 I think there are better things out there.

 

Agreed; non-brewery only (Pappy is amazeballs!), it's hard to beat the Java.

They are pricey, but one has never led me astray. The Makers Mark was pretty good too, but don't see it on the voting list.

Cheers!

 

Had the 2013 Elijah 12 last night. Bit too bourbon forward for my liking at $30 but I'm guessing they use a common heavy hand across the board with the barrels.

Let's just say that it also did not agree with my stomach, or at least with what I had for dinner.

Still a pretty good beer, especially once it gets to room temp, but I think I'll be gifting the other one away.

 

At $15 I'm going to need you to go back, buy a bunch, and ship them to me. Seriously, EC12 is one of my favorites and the only reason I don't drink it more is the $30 price tag so if you are game hit me up as I'd really like a couple!

 

Would be happy to, but they only had 1 bottle left, and i have no doubt they sold it to the next guy! If I hadn't had it the week before I would have grabbed it at $15 for sure, but since it wasn't a favorite I just left it for the next guy. It was the 2012 version for what that is worth - I didn't think additional aging would benefit much and at the $15-17 mark there is a lot of exceptional barrel aged stouts out there.

 

The EC18 was a little better than the EC12 but not available in '14. The had some previous vintages of EC18 on sale at the release party this year. They went quickly. The Grand Cru, (copper wax), from '12 was really good too.

 

I paid about $22 for my bottle of barrel Narwhal so $18 is a good price, but I haven't had it yet - still sitting in the cellar waiting for me to get around to it!

I can't comment on how they compare having not had Barrel Narwhal yet

 

I suspect if all the Eclipses were $18-20 a bottle they would shift off shelves pretty fast - and some of the better / rarer variants would be epic trade bait. I think they have just gone with a different pricing model - they are pricing at a premium so you can find their beers on a shelf almost any time rather than playing the limited release, but still cheap feeding frenzy game.

Hoppin Frog is a bit the same way - it seems that only a few extra $ and people don't get as hyped. Put it this way, I got bottle of Firestone Anniversary this year and it was $23 - it was a pretty amazing beer, but sold out almost instantly.
Eclipse is one of the few breweries (Hoppin Frog, and Bruery also come to mind) that is pricing up to solve the availability issue.

Don't get me wrong - it was a very good beer, but expensive. If I wanted a great barrel aged imperial stout on short notice for a birthday present or a special dinner I would grab the Eclipse - I mean, it is always available.

If you are feeling a bit flush with extra cash go for it - just don't expect it to blow your mind compared to something like Barrel Narwhal

 

My local Binny's still has 2013 bottles on the shelf, so those already have some age on them. I bought a 2013 Evan Williams and put it in the cellar for next winter. Bought a 2014 EW to give as a gift. I'm not expecting these to be worth the $30 price tag but thought I'd try it once.

 

Oh well, can't blame me for asking. Interestingly I feel this is about perfect at 2 years. Mellows out the barrel nicely letting a bit more sweetness shine through. As for the EC18 that one is on my short list. If anyone has one of those lying around let me know.

 

What's the consensus on High West Bourbon? I grabbed one on my way through Chicago in hopes of sharing it over the holidays

 

I would choose eclipse any day over BA Narwhal. BA Narwhal is good but eclipse is much better.

 

For the price? None.

 

So... Can you really taste the honey?

I have never gone down this road due to the price and the honey, but I find a coffee version intriguing.

 

Had the 2012 Old Fitzgerald the other day. Thought it was super good. Notice they didnt make that variant this year. I have always heard good things about the java coffee so I bought one.

The price point is a little steep, but these are very very good. i have had many variants and never been disappointed