Flying Mouflan

From a bottle received in February of 2010. Possibly a 2009 bottle? Pours clear with a couple or more inches of tan, tightly packed, small bubbled foam. Retention is quite nice, frothing the top as it recedes. Thin foam leaves a mark in spite of a sticky look. Aroma is dark fruit forward upon first pour. Fig, raisin, and plum are coated gently by deeper caramel malt. Bread, toffee, and subdued chocolate notes add to the complexity. Soft hints of booziness but that could be the nose wanting to find it rather the actual presence. Taste isn't as brite as the aroma. Caramel and toffee highlight the malts with dark fruits taking a roll but not as aggressively from the nose. Very late alcohol creeps up on you but before that begins there is an earthiness to the early finish. Bitterness is there as well but only slightly and, possibly, caused by the alcohol burn as it builds upon subsequent sips. Big end of medium body with medium carbonation in spite of the age of the beer. Maybe could be a bit less for me. Dries the palate and leaves a touch of sticky residue on the lips; not enough to be cloying. I was in the mood for a barley wine this evening. Flying Mouflan scratched it. The age seems to have mellowed the beer, the alcohol is still strong, creating a more elaborate rue. I would have this again but would lean towards another aged bottle. Enjoy!