cloaked in darkness

It's a dark, dark month and I will have my dark dark beers, dammit!  Well, maybe something with a scary label would be acceptable.  And some people might be scared off by Moor Beer Company's Batallas Double Stout.  It is barrel-aged and almost 10%, after all.  There was a whiskey version and a rum one, and I went with the rum since it's been a while for that.  La Quince has a pretty noticeable image on the side of the can, but they're not mentioned in the information.

Oh, hello there

More beer you say?  Ah, no, I get it

Heavy honeyed scent right away, not dissimilar to other barrel-aged beers.  I think it's a little sweeter than whiskey aged ones.  Close to bourbon, though.  Thick-looking and well-headed, although just barely allows a little light through.  It's one of the dark, dark browns rather than real black.  The first flavor to register is somewhat bitter, a real show of stoutiness, but the sugary rum comes in right behind.  The sweetness holds sway while the beer is in the mouth, but the aftertaste comes up on the sour side.  There's something about it that gives you the sense that it is, indeed, a strong beer; it's not an alcohol burn or excessive stickiness, however.  It has a solid body, but also an admirable smoothness, going down very easily.  While it stays sweet for the most part, I think I'm getting a little more bitter mixed in after a while.  Not sure if it's the beer warming up a little or just tastebuds adjusting.

Supplier: Labirratorium
Price: €7.45