Perennial Abraxas 2019 2-Pack - Coffee + Vanilla Variants - Imperial Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout - 750ml - 11.5% ABV

Perennial Abraxas 2019 Duo - 2 bottles of Abraxas variants. Abraxas is Perennial’s flagship Mexican hot chocolate stout. 2019 is considered one of the best pre-pandemic vintages. 7 years cellar age has taken these into smooth, integrated, dessert-like territory.

The 2 Bottles:

Abraxas 2019 Coffee Variant: Brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, cinnamon, vanilla, + Dark Matter Coffee "Pacas Viejo from Santa Petrona". Brown label with "COFFEE" banner + Aztec graphic. Perennial back label says "Coffee is delicate. Please store cold and enjoy within 60 days" - but 7 years has actually improved it. Coffee bitterness mellowed into rich mocha/espresso. Ancho heat + cinnamon + vanilla now fully integrated. Drinks like Mexican hot chocolate meets cold brew.

Abraxas 2019 Vanilla Variant: Base Abraxas recipe with amplified vanilla emphasis, no coffee. Brown label with "VANILLA" banner + Aztec graphic. Brewed with ancho chili, cacao nibs, cinnamon, vanilla. 7 years has let ancho heat mellow and vanilla/cinnamon/cacao dominate. Smooth Mexican chocolate profile with spice finish. More dessert-like than Coffee variant.

Tasting notes after 7 years: Both pour thick, viscous, dark brown with tan head. Coffee variant = mocha, dark chocolate, mellow chili warmth, cinnamon, vanilla. Coffee faded to background mocha instead of bright roast. Vanilla variant = pure Mexican hot chocolate - milk chocolate, vanilla bean, cinnamon, gentle ancho heat at finish. 11.5% ABV gives bourbon-like warmth despite no barrels. Spices integrated, no harshness left.