Beer Review: Barrel-Aged Abraxas

Reviewing the Barrel-Aged Abraxas from Perennial Artisan Ales out of St. Louis, Missouri. This beer is an imperial stout aged 11 months in Rittehouse rye whiskey barrels with cacao nibs, ancho chiles, vanilla beans, and cinnamon.
Score: 100

Tap pour served in a FOBAB taster glass and enjoyed (several times) at FOBAB on 11/17/12. Later enjoyed on tap at the release, and subsequently out of the bottle. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Color is deep brown, almost black. Not much head off the small pour; just a mocha-colored ring around of the glass. Good lacing nonetheless. Out of the bottle, there is a nice layer of head with good lacing and retention. 5/5

Smell: This beer straight up smells like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, peppers and dark chocolate. There is a faint hoppiness and a light bourbon character in the background. 5/5

Taste: Tastes exactly like it smells, but with more pepper and chocolate character. The bourbon is not in-your-face. Instead, it is really well blended into the flavor profile, adding complexity without taking a prominent role. There's also a subtle vanilla throughout. Absolutely delicious and easy drinking! 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation. The oatmeal stout base provides an awesome viscosity. Ample spice kick on the tongue with a light peppery prickliness in the throat after the swallow. 5/5

Overall: This is the absolute, unqualified best spiced stout that I have had to date, and it was easily one of the best beers at FOBAB this year. The bourbon is not very prominent, which is not par for the course, but excellent here. The Rittenhouse aging worked wonders on an already amazing beer. Cheers to Perennial for this knock out treat.

Recommendation: Seek a bottle of this out; it's better than Hunahpu's.

Pairings: Chris Gierhart's infamous homemade beef chili or some mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Cost: Unknown.