Duvel Barrel Aged Jamaican Rum Edition
Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

 

 

Clear, amber color. Medium-sized, white head. Yeasts, wood, molasses, some coconut. Distinctive rum notes in taste. Malty but not sweet. Light alcohol and acidity at the end.

 

hmm, my initial intrigue was how, exactly, does a generally venerated pale as a Duvel redress herself as a barrel-aged varietal... all i'm getting here is pears, pears, and pears (maybe with an dried apricot-like tangy twist at the swallow). it's slightly sweet to both nose and palate, but some sort of nearly overripe fruit note prominently asserts itself. so tart, like a brett/sour ale, at that. even as i try to swallow it down, i sense a certain tightening in my forehead... (hope i don't end up feeling like hell tomorow... and if i don't make it out, well, famous last words.)

not dissing it at all, it's sure to be the acquired taste once i've kicked this spendy vessel (and poured into its complimentary gift glass, no less)

 

 

Very interesting result from aging this duvel in Rum barrels. Smooths out the beer and cuts down some of the carbonation while adding coconut, caramel and vanilla notes. Duvel and or Rum fans should definitely try if they can find this bottle.

There's a fingernail of off white around the rim and covering three quarters of the top. The beer is copper colored. The aroma is intensely dark rum with lots of sweet caramel. I taste all sweet dark caramel rum in the front of the palate and then I get just a flourish of the Duvel dry Belgian ale light malt flavor at the back of the palate. The mouth is dry and warm with alcohol.

 

 

The most classic of the classic Belgian beers (just ask Michael Jackson), I never thought I'd see a Duvel variant, but all of a sudden this beer appears, so didn't really have a feeling of what to expect. At first sip, felt like it was too different, so possibly disappointing. But then, as the bottle warmed up, I found the complexity and uniqueness assert itself, and thought, wow, this is pretty damn good and special.....or maybe it was just the totally hidden 11% ABV talking. Anyway, really loved the experience and sticking by my 4/5 rating. Interested to see what others have to say.

 

Deep golden color and clear, poured into the tasting glass that came in the box with the bottle... Kicked up a modest head - nothing like a typical Duvel pour lol... Rummy aromas add some pineapple to the nose... Something like bitter green fruit skins and typical Duvel flavors, some woody drying and sweet rum in the mix as well... It's a great beer and different enough from the usual Duvel and Duvel tripel hop iterations that I might not identify it as a Duvel in a blind tasting - and that's not a bad thing... I like that it vibes different from the line - has an almost wine-like character - and I really enjoy the overall profile...

Like a big beer should, it has warmed exceptionally (I just left the bottle out the whole time once I opened it) - I might need to grab another tomorrow, before it sells out - this was excellent... Duvel in the style of Doom? - and with rum instead of bourbon - provided for a very elevated drinking experience...

Who knew that Belgian beer needed rum barrels? That a Belgian Strong Pale Ale needed the spicy, sweet and oaken nuances of the Caribbean spirit? That a drier, more effervescent beer needed more heat? The brewers at Moortgat, that's who. Beautifully packed in die cast package equipped with its own stemless glass, Duvel's Jamaican Rum Edition Barrel Aged brand has transcended this traditional beer.

Pouring a subdued deep golden hue with a bright and slight honey-amber twinge, this limited Duvel variety floats a calm and dainty foam after its bubbly nature subsides. A pass of the nose reveals a deeply winey scent chocked full of Chardonnay and Riesling floral notes, fruity esters that hinge on orchard fruits and a spicy hint of oak, honeysuckle and peppery alcohol. Its mild mannered sweetness pulls from the honeysuckle scents and reels in the suggestions of confectioner's sweetness, candied fruit and slight pastry character of baklava.

The middle palate shies away from any malt influence while favoring a balance of fruit and spice. White grape, pear, melon and plum each collect for a juicier sense of fruitiness while a spice of peppercorn, Caribbean spice, oak tannins and vinous booziness balance the fruits and ensure a drier finish for palatability. Caught between light rum and wine and this beer sees new life.

Light bodied, spicy and dry on the finish, the beer is dangerously drinkable despite its strength. Simmering warmth and a spicy flavor chases a quick finish and an afterglow of pez-like candies, rose wine and nuanced rum acting quickly in the beer's wake. Its a masterful taste with great culinary rewards.

Pours a nice amber color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has Rum hints
The taste follows the nose with a Rum flavor
A light bodied well carbonated beer
A good Belgian Strong Ale