Yes, drinking a $9 11 oz. chalice because... chile! Becasue... Cognac barrel aged! Dark brown in color, between a porter and a Scotch ale. While I couldn’t tease a smell out of the Arroz con Leche before it, this one has a definite nose of cognac, with threads of dark chile peppers behind it. All the promise in the smell is carried through in the mouth: there’s the burning sensation in the back of my mouth from the peppers, something welcomed by the more serious chile-head. But that is slightly overwhelming a warming taste of brandy, again with more alcohol sensation than expected. How long; how long have I waited for a great Bourbon barrel aged chile beer... okay, maybe I have had one years earlier, but work with me. Malty taste is definitely there, but lacking the harsh roastiness of a dark ale. Instead, it’s got a wonderful burn familiar to me from my many homebrewers chile beers, and an alcohol, vanilla and even sherry topping from the barrel. Today I count myself lucky that I am first to rate this!