Imperial Eclipse Stout - Tequila

Sample from the bottle at CBF Vienna. I only took numerical notes while having this one.

Review based on the BJCP2015 guidelines (style 33B-Tequila cask/20C). Bottle 65 cl - Batch unknown (2017 edition) - BBF Unknown. AROMA: medium-high roasted malt with notes of bread crust, slight coffee, dried grapes, floral, with an exotic-like spirit background. APPEARANCE: very dark brown color and opaque. medium brown head, creamy, with good retention. leg formation. TASTE: blend of medium notes of roasted malt (coffe-like), medium-low bread crust, low dried grapes, slight rose-like alcohol and a medium-low background of spirits (tequilla). medium bitterness with an almost dry finish with a hint of toastiness. PALATE: medium-high body with medium carbonation. smooth alcohol warmth. OVERALL: yet another outstanding and well balanced barrel aged imperial stout.

From bottle at CBF Wien. Black body, with a small, creamy, coffee-colored head. Aroma of espresso, cocoa, tobacco, soy sauce, some vanilla. Tastes similar, with more chocolate, some booze. Full, oily mouthfeel, with a low carbonation. Finishes roasty, dry, smooth, with cocoa powder, soy sauce, tobacco, chocolate, subtle booze, spirits barrel. Tasty. Quite typical stuff for this series, the Tequila is hardly noticeable, apart from some booze. Very robust and characterful, while still smooth for the ABV. Score: 8 / 4 / 8 / 4 / 16

Bottle at home. Pours black, nose is honey, chocolate, vanilla, tequila, taste is similar, sweet, boozy. 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle. Aroma is malt forward with a moderately strong, but balanced tequila note. Moderate chocolate notes with lighter roast, honey and caramel. Light oak notes as well. Pours jet black with a medium large, thick, creamy, mocha head that recedes slowly but stealiy to a small, thick film that lingers on. Flavor is moderately sweet with nice, balanced chocolate and roast notes. Lighter honey and caramel notes with a touch of dark fruit. Medium light oak and light tequila notes. Moderate bitterness and light alcohol spice. Some lingering sweetness, roast, honey and tequila. Mouthfeel is full bodied with medium carbonation. Low astringency and low alcohol warmth. Overall, a nice eclipse. The tequila is fairly noticeable in the aroma but rather well restrained in the flavor. Nice malt notes and solid body. 2017 was a good year for eclipse.