Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout
Cigar City Brewing
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Cigar City Brewing
- Florida, United States
- Style:
- Stout - Russian Imperial
Ranked #43 - ABV:
- 11.8%
- Score:
- 97
Ranked #661 - Avg:
- 4.37 | pDev: 8.92%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 07, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 17, 2008
- Wants:
- 1,161
- Gots:
- 960
SCORE
97
World-Class
97
World-Class
Notes:
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Opaque black in color, with notes of espresso, chocolate, dark toffee and hints of backstrap molasses. The English hop varietals provide a subtle herbal dryness, and finishes with a hearty slap of roasty espresso. Pair Marshal Zhukov’s with Mushroom Solyanka, dark chocolate, cherries and ground wars in Russia.
We brew and release Zhukov's in the summer knowing that a beer of this heft reaches its full potential a few months after release. So save a bottle for the cold winter!
80 IBU
We brew and release Zhukov's in the summer knowing that a beer of this heft reaches its full potential a few months after release. So save a bottle for the cold winter!
80 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.19/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Roy_Hobbs from Connecticut
Appearance is pretty spot on for the style. The deepest of browns / bordering black, and fully opaque. A fairly aggressive pour produced roughly half an inch of deep khaki colored head that receded to a thin ring. Aroma is fairly rich, with molasses and faint toffee complementing some base roast notes. Taste and feel are where this beer really starts to shine. There's a nice complexity to this. Bitter roast leads the way, but is well balanced by some sweeter flavors that I can't call out individually but that definitely add to the experience. Almost a little bit of cinnamon spice on the finish. Full bodied and smooth. Very tasty.
May 07, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Roy_Hobbs from Connecticut
Appearance is pretty spot on for the style. The deepest of browns / bordering black, and fully opaque. A fairly aggressive pour produced roughly half an inch of deep khaki colored head that receded to a thin ring. Aroma is fairly rich, with molasses and faint toffee complementing some base roast notes. Taste and feel are where this beer really starts to shine. There's a nice complexity to this. Bitter roast leads the way, but is well balanced by some sweeter flavors that I can't call out individually but that definitely add to the experience. Almost a little bit of cinnamon spice on the finish. Full bodied and smooth. Very tasty.
May 07, 2022
5 by BeerDreadz from Florida on Mar 19, 2022
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by arizcards from North Carolina
Picked up a 22 oz bomber from The Fresh Market in Hendersonville 12-10-21 for $21.99. No bottling date; consumed 3-18-22. Guessing this is a 2020 or 2021 edition.
Beer poured black as night with a nice brown head.
Nose is lovely, full of roasted malts, dark fruits, and floral hops.
Taste is really well done. Malt base is huge with a nice medium to heavy roast that emits notes of espresso, cherry, and some licorice. Finishes very well balanced with no suggestion of sweetness and a nice warming with each sip on a cool rainy day.
Mouthfeel is awesome as i look for in this style. Full bodied and near perfection with the viscous and smooth mouthfeel.
Overall a world class imperial stout that is right up there with the best non BA versions i have had! Worth the splurge, will look for this in cans next go around.
Mar 18, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by arizcards from North Carolina
Picked up a 22 oz bomber from The Fresh Market in Hendersonville 12-10-21 for $21.99. No bottling date; consumed 3-18-22. Guessing this is a 2020 or 2021 edition.
Beer poured black as night with a nice brown head.
Nose is lovely, full of roasted malts, dark fruits, and floral hops.
Taste is really well done. Malt base is huge with a nice medium to heavy roast that emits notes of espresso, cherry, and some licorice. Finishes very well balanced with no suggestion of sweetness and a nice warming with each sip on a cool rainy day.
Mouthfeel is awesome as i look for in this style. Full bodied and near perfection with the viscous and smooth mouthfeel.
Overall a world class imperial stout that is right up there with the best non BA versions i have had! Worth the splurge, will look for this in cans next go around.
Mar 18, 2022
4.35/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sjrider from California
On tap at the source - dark like used motor oil with quickly dissipating khaki head leaving a ring of tiny bubbles. Nose is bittersweet with chocolate ,coffee, roasty malt and molasses. Taste follows to a T. Slight alcohol creep lingers on the finish. Damn tasty!
Feb 07, 2022
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sjrider from California
On tap at the source - dark like used motor oil with quickly dissipating khaki head leaving a ring of tiny bubbles. Nose is bittersweet with chocolate ,coffee, roasty malt and molasses. Taste follows to a T. Slight alcohol creep lingers on the finish. Damn tasty!
Feb 07, 2022
4.67 by TastyIsBeer from Illinois on Jan 24, 2022
4.39/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Craig-er from New Hampshire
Purchased at Berts Better Beers in 2019. It did have an opportunity to rest for 3 yrs. The head quickly dissipated after a few moments. A heavy bodied stout. Smell consisted of bittersweet chocolate, taste was of cinnamon, espresso, that lingered on the palette for over 2 minutes. A spectacular RIS.
Jan 01, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Craig-er from New Hampshire
Purchased at Berts Better Beers in 2019. It did have an opportunity to rest for 3 yrs. The head quickly dissipated after a few moments. A heavy bodied stout. Smell consisted of bittersweet chocolate, taste was of cinnamon, espresso, that lingered on the palette for over 2 minutes. A spectacular RIS.
Jan 01, 2022
4.27 by EdFed from Illinois on Dec 28, 2021
4.35 by SViterileroux74 from Texas on Nov 26, 2021
4.7/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by trevormajor from Ohio
22 oz bottle, probably a 2021 vintage but not sure, poured into a pint glass at 55 degrees F:
L - black as night, with a soft hazelnut head that quickly disappeared into the Russian night....
S - molasses, chocolate, coffee
T - the blackstrap molasses dominates, but also notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt
F - very thick with almost no carbonation, just the way a big stout should feel
O - excellent beer, picked this up in a bottle shop in Largo, FL. Makes me really want to try the other Cigar City Stouts that are so hard to find in the midwest
Oct 01, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by trevormajor from Ohio
22 oz bottle, probably a 2021 vintage but not sure, poured into a pint glass at 55 degrees F:
L - black as night, with a soft hazelnut head that quickly disappeared into the Russian night....
S - molasses, chocolate, coffee
T - the blackstrap molasses dominates, but also notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt
F - very thick with almost no carbonation, just the way a big stout should feel
O - excellent beer, picked this up in a bottle shop in Largo, FL. Makes me really want to try the other Cigar City Stouts that are so hard to find in the midwest
Oct 01, 2021
4.37 by Taenim from New Jersey on Jul 27, 2021
4.25 by o29 from Texas on Jun 19, 2021
4.27 by kramacam from Kentucky on May 28, 2021
4.4/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by puck1225 from Texas
Well this is pretty good! Bought the bomber at Thistle Draftshop near Houston about a month ago.
Pours very dark brown color with nice initial brown head and nice curtain lacing. Smell of dark chocolate and expresso. Follows to taste. Licorice and anise. Nice herbal, malty background definitely give the taste of this beer a new level. Very nice treat!
May 27, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by puck1225 from Texas
Well this is pretty good! Bought the bomber at Thistle Draftshop near Houston about a month ago.
Pours very dark brown color with nice initial brown head and nice curtain lacing. Smell of dark chocolate and expresso. Follows to taste. Licorice and anise. Nice herbal, malty background definitely give the taste of this beer a new level. Very nice treat!
May 27, 2021
3.81/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Sigmund from Norway
Sample from bottle at Copenhagen Beer Celebration. Pitch black colour, brown head. Very roasty aroma, notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The flavour is very sweet and very roasty, notes of coffee and molasses.
May 16, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Sigmund from Norway
Sample from bottle at Copenhagen Beer Celebration. Pitch black colour, brown head. Very roasty aroma, notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The flavour is very sweet and very roasty, notes of coffee and molasses.
May 16, 2021
4.13/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by HardTarget from Texas
Appearance: Deep black glass, shows ruby with strong back light, holds a thin halo of dark tan foam.
Aroma: Rum raisin, dark malt, a strong grape skin tannin.
Taste: Grape popsicle, molasses, bit of medicinal alcohol, finishes with a bitter coffee.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, low/flat carbonation, triggers a solid chew, oily and hot finish.
Overall: Big beer, unusual flavor, can't say I love it. There's a mild metallic note, and there is enough bitter hops going that you don't get much sweetness out of all the malt. I think the English hops come through almost like a tea flavor. Different kind of profile, it's growing on me.
May 14, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by HardTarget from Texas
Appearance: Deep black glass, shows ruby with strong back light, holds a thin halo of dark tan foam.
Aroma: Rum raisin, dark malt, a strong grape skin tannin.
Taste: Grape popsicle, molasses, bit of medicinal alcohol, finishes with a bitter coffee.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, low/flat carbonation, triggers a solid chew, oily and hot finish.
Overall: Big beer, unusual flavor, can't say I love it. There's a mild metallic note, and there is enough bitter hops going that you don't get much sweetness out of all the malt. I think the English hops come through almost like a tea flavor. Different kind of profile, it's growing on me.
May 14, 2021
4.29 by ju53o8nyg9 from Colorado on May 12, 2021
4.25 by mgundy32 from Wisconsin on Apr 09, 2021
4.21 by carolinared from North Carolina on Mar 25, 2021
4.29/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Sandis from Minnesota
2019 version poured from a 22oz. bottle into a Dangerous Man Brewing snifter. Black oil appearance with a deep tan head. I get some roast along with molasses and some licorice. Solid as usual.
Mar 15, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Sandis from Minnesota
2019 version poured from a 22oz. bottle into a Dangerous Man Brewing snifter. Black oil appearance with a deep tan head. I get some roast along with molasses and some licorice. Solid as usual.
Mar 15, 2021
4.5 by drstalker from Illinois on Mar 06, 2021
4.25 by dsshuck from Delaware on Jan 16, 2021
4.59/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by TBoneJones from Texas
Got this much earlier in 2020. Saved for the holidays/ end of year-time. We’re about there so time to try. The pour is black motor oil-like darkness with a dark rusty-brown head. Great stout appearance.
Nose is chocolate and coffee, dark fruit, fig, molasses.
Wow. This taste is spot-on delicious. The coffee, chocolate, the way the hops are. Almost an oatmeal thing going on in there. Complex molasses’s/ toffee/ black cherry notes. The aftertaste RULES on this one. The aforementioned flavors linger with a pleasant buzz-note that amazingly excludes alcohol. Coffee and the pleasant herbal dryness from the hops like the brewer describes, is the lasting flavor but it’s so very good. Tough to paint that description as appealing, but that’s what I get and it works so well for some reason. Tasty.
Feels thick and creamy. Low carbonation. Slightly dry.
It may just be an extremely well-made imperial stout, but that’s what you’re looking for.
Dec 24, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by TBoneJones from Texas
Got this much earlier in 2020. Saved for the holidays/ end of year-time. We’re about there so time to try. The pour is black motor oil-like darkness with a dark rusty-brown head. Great stout appearance.
Nose is chocolate and coffee, dark fruit, fig, molasses.
Wow. This taste is spot-on delicious. The coffee, chocolate, the way the hops are. Almost an oatmeal thing going on in there. Complex molasses’s/ toffee/ black cherry notes. The aftertaste RULES on this one. The aforementioned flavors linger with a pleasant buzz-note that amazingly excludes alcohol. Coffee and the pleasant herbal dryness from the hops like the brewer describes, is the lasting flavor but it’s so very good. Tough to paint that description as appealing, but that’s what I get and it works so well for some reason. Tasty.
Feels thick and creamy. Low carbonation. Slightly dry.
It may just be an extremely well-made imperial stout, but that’s what you’re looking for.
Dec 24, 2020
4.25 by wvsabbath from West Virginia on Dec 11, 2020
4.49 by kkarimi from Texas on Nov 16, 2020
4.25 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania on Oct 25, 2020
4.42 by LunchMoney from Minnesota on Oct 17, 2020
4.48/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beergoot from Colorado
Opaque ebony body capped with a very dense and thick, creamy head, tan in color. Espresso and cocoa powder aroma; dark roasted grain. Sweet cocoa and vanilla flavors; outstanding dark roasted and mildly charred grain flavors; very dark roasted espresso; muted whiskey-like note; black pepper and licorice. Heavy body; soft, velvety, and spongy on the palate; bold semi-sweetness counteracts a prominent alcohol heat and warmth.
This beer is huge and packs a fine punch, like brass knuckles covered with a velvet glove. It sports an excellent head for a big ABV beer. The smell may be a bit quiet, but the flavors and mouthfeel are immense and satisfying on nearly stratospheric levels. One hell of any experience!!!
Oct 15, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beergoot from Colorado
Opaque ebony body capped with a very dense and thick, creamy head, tan in color. Espresso and cocoa powder aroma; dark roasted grain. Sweet cocoa and vanilla flavors; outstanding dark roasted and mildly charred grain flavors; very dark roasted espresso; muted whiskey-like note; black pepper and licorice. Heavy body; soft, velvety, and spongy on the palate; bold semi-sweetness counteracts a prominent alcohol heat and warmth.
This beer is huge and packs a fine punch, like brass knuckles covered with a velvet glove. It sports an excellent head for a big ABV beer. The smell may be a bit quiet, but the flavors and mouthfeel are immense and satisfying on nearly stratospheric levels. One hell of any experience!!!
Oct 15, 2020
4.29 by jdell15 from Arkansas on Sep 08, 2020
4.4 by d5001986 from Wisconsin on Aug 23, 2020
5 by Pchop18 from Kentucky on Jul 27, 2020
4.61/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by puboflyons from New Hampshire
From the 650 bomber dated 11/25/19. Sampled July 19, 2020. Over eight months of aging.
Attractive dark brown to near jet black pour with a quickly fizzling tan head.
An array of aroma sensations including dark roasted malts, caramel, red grapes, earthy hops, chocolate, and a touch of alcohol.
The mouthfeel is smooth and full.
A slow sipper with a sweet roasted malt taste and a mild eruption of booze then warms the palate with a moderate earthy bitter finish.
Jul 19, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by puboflyons from New Hampshire
From the 650 bomber dated 11/25/19. Sampled July 19, 2020. Over eight months of aging.
Attractive dark brown to near jet black pour with a quickly fizzling tan head.
An array of aroma sensations including dark roasted malts, caramel, red grapes, earthy hops, chocolate, and a touch of alcohol.
The mouthfeel is smooth and full.
A slow sipper with a sweet roasted malt taste and a mild eruption of booze then warms the palate with a moderate earthy bitter finish.
Jul 19, 2020
4.74 by Mdaniel723 from Missouri on Jul 17, 2020
3.83/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by gatornation from Minnesota
Pours a dark black color with a tan head. Smell has dark roasted malts ,Tabacco dark fruits,coffee and chocolate. Taste is more bitter than i like ,both on coffe and chocolate. A bitter mouth feel and an over priced bomber. Worth a try but wont buy again .
Jul 14, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by gatornation from Minnesota
Pours a dark black color with a tan head. Smell has dark roasted malts ,Tabacco dark fruits,coffee and chocolate. Taste is more bitter than i like ,both on coffe and chocolate. A bitter mouth feel and an over priced bomber. Worth a try but wont buy again .
Jul 14, 2020
4.59/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by hopsputin from New Jersey
A: super jet dark black with a 1 finger dark tan head. That fades to a film quick
S: dark caramel, roasted malts, a touch of smoke. Leather, dark fruits, molasses, toffee. Oak, dark chocolate , and some brown sugar
T: roasted malts, Wood, and leather upfront. Dark bitter chocolate, burnt caramel. Sweet earth, dark plums, dark cherry and tons of molasses and brown sugar
M: thick, chewy heavy mouthfeel with mild carbonation
O: absolutely amazing Imperial Stout. Rich, complex, and well harmonized
Jun 21, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by hopsputin from New Jersey
A: super jet dark black with a 1 finger dark tan head. That fades to a film quick
S: dark caramel, roasted malts, a touch of smoke. Leather, dark fruits, molasses, toffee. Oak, dark chocolate , and some brown sugar
T: roasted malts, Wood, and leather upfront. Dark bitter chocolate, burnt caramel. Sweet earth, dark plums, dark cherry and tons of molasses and brown sugar
M: thick, chewy heavy mouthfeel with mild carbonation
O: absolutely amazing Imperial Stout. Rich, complex, and well harmonized
Jun 21, 2020
4.43 by rab53 from Washington on Jun 20, 2020
4.54 by AirBob from Massachusetts on Jun 17, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Jas0921 from Florida
A very powerful beer. Thick motor oil pour.... super intense flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and toffee, exactly as advertised. A fantastic RIS!
May 24, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Jas0921 from Florida
A very powerful beer. Thick motor oil pour.... super intense flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and toffee, exactly as advertised. A fantastic RIS!
May 24, 2020
3.94 by puftdank from Illinois on May 14, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
Pours a very thick pitch black color. The head is a very dark brown and 2 finger. The retention is decent for such a beer. Minimal lacing on the glass.
The nose is has dark chocolate notes to it. Some raisin. Some caramel and toffee. Some plum.
Taste - Like the nose - chocolate, raisin, toffee, caramel, and plum.
Quite thick. Minimnal alcohol burn, though there's some.
Tasty and well made RIS from Cigar City.
May 13, 2020
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
Pours a very thick pitch black color. The head is a very dark brown and 2 finger. The retention is decent for such a beer. Minimal lacing on the glass.
The nose is has dark chocolate notes to it. Some raisin. Some caramel and toffee. Some plum.
Taste - Like the nose - chocolate, raisin, toffee, caramel, and plum.
Quite thick. Minimnal alcohol burn, though there's some.
Tasty and well made RIS from Cigar City.
May 13, 2020
4.47/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Tony210 from New Jersey
Pours pitch black, thick and viscous, like motor oil. Massive dark chocolate with a touch of yeast. Flavor is dark chocolate, espresso. Thick and sludgy, so good. Overall a phenomenal RIS, amazing flavor for not having any adjuncts, would love to try fresh. Aged very, very well.
5/10/20
Bomber, 2017 vintage
4.5 rating
Update 7/19/21 - still delicious!!!
May 11, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Tony210 from New Jersey
Pours pitch black, thick and viscous, like motor oil. Massive dark chocolate with a touch of yeast. Flavor is dark chocolate, espresso. Thick and sludgy, so good. Overall a phenomenal RIS, amazing flavor for not having any adjuncts, would love to try fresh. Aged very, very well.
5/10/20
Bomber, 2017 vintage
4.5 rating
Update 7/19/21 - still delicious!!!
May 11, 2020
Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout from Cigar City Brewing
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
3040 ratings