Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy One Year Tasting
Just about this time last year I received several samples from Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout. I decided to take advantage of the brewery’s generosity and setup a series of tastings. You can get caught up with the fresh and six-month reviews if you like before diving into this one year tasting of this surprisingly tasty stout.
Appearance
Big Eddy still pours pretty darn dark, though it’s lost some of it’s thickness. The dark brown head formed late and feel quickly to a thin ring around the surface.
Aroma
The char is all but gone from the nose as the espresso and molasses, along a new licorice/anise presence fill the nose. There’s still a nice sweetness to the beer.
Taste
Just like the nose, the smokey char that the beer had early on in it’s life is just about gone, though it does appear here and there with the roasted coffee component. The anise and molasses step forward a good deal more as the beer transitions to the same level of hop bitterness in the lingering finish. The alcohol also appears to be more prevalent on the palate as the beer warms in the glass, leaving a warming sensation.
Overall
I’m not sure that I was expecting the char to keep fading, but it has. I did enjoy the arrival of the anise component as it mixed with the molasses, subtle chocolates and espresso nicely. I fear, though, that this beer may bee reaching its peak. I have two more bottles (another 2010 vintage arrived a couple months ago) to sample, but I think the one year or perhaps the one and a half year tastings may be it for this one. I’ll still hold onto the final bottle for the final two-year tasting, but I’m not expecting too much from it. All in all, still a darn tasty stout.
Rating: 4/5
This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.