“Eclipse: a world-wide phenomenon straight from our brewery in small town Truckee. It starts with our award winning Totality Imperial Stout, and then spends 6 months in a variety of barrels specially curated  by our talented brew team, often finished with some specialty flare that will knock your socks off. Old Trestle® Sierra Bourbon Barrels: Eclipse aged in Old Trestle® Sierra bourbon barrels.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Pitch black with a finger of brown head settling in on top. Decent retention and some wet spotty lace clinging to the glass as it subsides.

Aroma: We recall the last time these BA Stout masters had their amazing craft on our shores. It was 2021 and every release was either a 10/10 or near it. This time we bought all 6 that landed here and this is the first one we’re hooking into. We’ve never heard of Old Trestle Sierra Bourbon before but our first thoughts are almost Whiskey-like – rich sherry, burnt brown sugar, vanilla, toffee and peppery spice.

Flavour: Although at the beers’ core it’s smooth, the Bourbon has some heat and rough edges to it. It certainly doesn’t present as your typical American Bourbon due to this Whiskey/Sherry-based bite instead of the usual caramel, spice and vanilla. It reminds us of some Australian BA Stouts as most of our Whiskey’s are based off Sherry (Apera) and for that reason we’re nonplussed with this expression.

Mouthfeel: Rich, well rounded and surprisingly smooth for its size (12% ABV). Perfectly carbed, medium-full body.

Overall: Not overly impressed with it to be honest. We’re unsure whether it’s because Aussie breweries have upped their BA Stout game or whether we just picked the weakest of the 6 for our first crack. Either way it was good but not great.