Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout
Cigar City Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #20 - ABV:
- 11.8%
- Score:
- 97
Ranked #378 - Avg:
- 4.39 | pDev: 8.88%
- Reviews:
- 669
- Ratings:
- From:
- Cigar City Brewing
- Florida, United States
- Avail:
- Summer
- Wants
- 1,166
- Gots
- 968
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
Reviews: 669
| Ratings: 3,004
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
4.5/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A very powerful beer. Thick motor oil pour.... super intense flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and toffee, exactly as advertised. A fantastic RIS!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A very powerful beer. Thick motor oil pour.... super intense flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and toffee, exactly as advertised. A fantastic RIS!
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4.46/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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.
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4.47/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
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
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
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
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4.58/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
L - Deep black with a dark tan head that dissipates somewhat quickly leaving behind a cap and minimal lacing
S - Deep roasted notes of chocolate, roasted espresso, molasses, some herbal notes, and caramel
T - Follows the nose with roasted, bitter dark chocolate and espresso up front and throughout, notes of molasses, caramel, dark fruits (raisins, cherries, figs), some tobacco and earth
F - Full bodied with a light amount of carbonation. Smooth, soft, silky
O - A truly fantastic Imperial Russian stout with an incredible flavor profile and mouthfeel
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
L - Deep black with a dark tan head that dissipates somewhat quickly leaving behind a cap and minimal lacing
S - Deep roasted notes of chocolate, roasted espresso, molasses, some herbal notes, and caramel
T - Follows the nose with roasted, bitter dark chocolate and espresso up front and throughout, notes of molasses, caramel, dark fruits (raisins, cherries, figs), some tobacco and earth
F - Full bodied with a light amount of carbonation. Smooth, soft, silky
O - A truly fantastic Imperial Russian stout with an incredible flavor profile and mouthfeel
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4.67/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Black with ruby edges pour; dark tan rocky head; good cap retention; solid ring; large island of micro dots after cap dissipates; medium minus lacing; thin plus legs. Roast malt, char, chocolate and sweet fruity nose. Tongue follows nose; layers of bittersweet dark chocolate, chocolate, plums, oak, toasted black bread; mix of bitter chocolate and sweet dark fruit finish. Grainy, dusty tongue coating; medium plus body; moderate minus carbonation; very little warmth from 11% abv. Overall a great RIS - well balanced and no hit of the booze in nose or on tongue; lots of roast and char bitterness (70 IBUs), bittersweet chocolate, and sweet dark fruit layers; a tad thin, but that is a plus as the beer is not adjuncty and quite enjoyable; throw in reasonably priced at $14.99 for a bomber, and you’ve got an outstanding “win/win” beer.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Black with ruby edges pour; dark tan rocky head; good cap retention; solid ring; large island of micro dots after cap dissipates; medium minus lacing; thin plus legs. Roast malt, char, chocolate and sweet fruity nose. Tongue follows nose; layers of bittersweet dark chocolate, chocolate, plums, oak, toasted black bread; mix of bitter chocolate and sweet dark fruit finish. Grainy, dusty tongue coating; medium plus body; moderate minus carbonation; very little warmth from 11% abv. Overall a great RIS - well balanced and no hit of the booze in nose or on tongue; lots of roast and char bitterness (70 IBUs), bittersweet chocolate, and sweet dark fruit layers; a tad thin, but that is a plus as the beer is not adjuncty and quite enjoyable; throw in reasonably priced at $14.99 for a bomber, and you’ve got an outstanding “win/win” beer.
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3.88/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Luxurious, thick head, like melted milk chocolate, pitch black body; couple minutes retention.
Cocoa on the nose, accompanied by dried fruit, rum like (definitely sensing the alcohol), spices.
Whoa that's rich. Intense melted dark chocolate, creamy and soft; not shy with the candy sugar, powerful sweetness, taste of dates; vanilla ice cream; mild alcohol heat; low carbonation, full body, heavy feel. No sense of hops at all. Sweetness is cloying, syrupy.
This is pure dessert, heavy-handed I'd say, lacking any balance. Not particularly complex either. Had high hopes, and it is good, but find this to be over-rated.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Luxurious, thick head, like melted milk chocolate, pitch black body; couple minutes retention.
Cocoa on the nose, accompanied by dried fruit, rum like (definitely sensing the alcohol), spices.
Whoa that's rich. Intense melted dark chocolate, creamy and soft; not shy with the candy sugar, powerful sweetness, taste of dates; vanilla ice cream; mild alcohol heat; low carbonation, full body, heavy feel. No sense of hops at all. Sweetness is cloying, syrupy.
This is pure dessert, heavy-handed I'd say, lacking any balance. Not particularly complex either. Had high hopes, and it is good, but find this to be over-rated.
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4.47/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Scored a bomber from my brother for Christmas. Thanks Bro! First weekend after no school due to pandemic seems a good time to open this one.
Pouring at cellar temp into a snifter, the beer pours a jet black coffee hue with a dense creamy brown head foaming up 2.5 cm. This foam fades slowly as the beer rests in my glass leaving large craters on the top of the foam and some tightly packed lattice on the sides of my glass. The aroma is roasted malts, dark chocolate and some coffee grounds with hints of brown sugar and molasses too. No hop presence and the ABV is well hidden at this point too.
First sip reveals a medium to thick body with very fine and tingly carbonation. The texture is sticky and slick and coats my palate with each mouthful. Definitely a fairly physically robust beer.
Flavor is similar to what the nose advertised. Lots of roasted malt and almost a bit of char, mixing with dark dark chocolate, the kind with high cacao %. I also get molasses and a bit of black pepper on the finish, which I attribute to the ABV. No hops anywhere here and the beer is a bit of a sipper for sure. Very nice big robust imperial stout, without any adjuncts added. Well worth my wait and glad to have finally scored a bottle of this one. Would definitely get this again!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Scored a bomber from my brother for Christmas. Thanks Bro! First weekend after no school due to pandemic seems a good time to open this one.
Pouring at cellar temp into a snifter, the beer pours a jet black coffee hue with a dense creamy brown head foaming up 2.5 cm. This foam fades slowly as the beer rests in my glass leaving large craters on the top of the foam and some tightly packed lattice on the sides of my glass. The aroma is roasted malts, dark chocolate and some coffee grounds with hints of brown sugar and molasses too. No hop presence and the ABV is well hidden at this point too.
First sip reveals a medium to thick body with very fine and tingly carbonation. The texture is sticky and slick and coats my palate with each mouthful. Definitely a fairly physically robust beer.
Flavor is similar to what the nose advertised. Lots of roasted malt and almost a bit of char, mixing with dark dark chocolate, the kind with high cacao %. I also get molasses and a bit of black pepper on the finish, which I attribute to the ABV. No hops anywhere here and the beer is a bit of a sipper for sure. Very nice big robust imperial stout, without any adjuncts added. Well worth my wait and glad to have finally scored a bottle of this one. Would definitely get this again!
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4.13/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours an impressive opaque black color. A dense two finger tan head forms with excellent retention. Light lace is left behind.
S: Dark fruits in the nose. Like raisins and cherries. Roast, bakers chocolate, and coffee. A bit of fusel/lightly solvent like alcohol. Though that should be expected.
T: Follows the nose with the dark fruits, and tons of malty flavors. Raisins, plums, cherries. Roast, bakers chocolate that is bitter sweet. The alcohol is less noticeable than in the nose, but still there obviously.
M/O: A big full body. Good carbonation, but also that perfect chewiness. A silky smooth body. This is a nice sipper. Really enjoyable all around, and the alcohol is certainly present. It is more a compliment to a big malty body.
This is a great example of a RIS. Glad I found a bottle of this, and will enjoy it on a lazy Sunday with some good music and books.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours an impressive opaque black color. A dense two finger tan head forms with excellent retention. Light lace is left behind.
S: Dark fruits in the nose. Like raisins and cherries. Roast, bakers chocolate, and coffee. A bit of fusel/lightly solvent like alcohol. Though that should be expected.
T: Follows the nose with the dark fruits, and tons of malty flavors. Raisins, plums, cherries. Roast, bakers chocolate that is bitter sweet. The alcohol is less noticeable than in the nose, but still there obviously.
M/O: A big full body. Good carbonation, but also that perfect chewiness. A silky smooth body. This is a nice sipper. Really enjoyable all around, and the alcohol is certainly present. It is more a compliment to a big malty body.
This is a great example of a RIS. Glad I found a bottle of this, and will enjoy it on a lazy Sunday with some good music and books.
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4.15/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
500 mL Bottle. ABV 11.8%.
Appearance: Black, One finger of creamy chestnut brown head, Good retention, Creamy collar remains.
Aroma: Bittersweet chocolate, Espresso, Dark fruit, Licorice, Toasted dark bread, Slightly nutty, Warming spices.
Mouthfeel: Under full body, Smooth, Slightly sticky, Well hidden alcohol.
Flavour: Dark fruit, Chocolate, Toffee, Licorice, Cherry, Toasted dark bread, Bitter, Slight roasted malt, Molasses.
Overall: Familiar Cigar City aroma and flavour. It had a lot more dark fruit than I was expecting.
Review: 148
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
500 mL Bottle. ABV 11.8%.
Appearance: Black, One finger of creamy chestnut brown head, Good retention, Creamy collar remains.
Aroma: Bittersweet chocolate, Espresso, Dark fruit, Licorice, Toasted dark bread, Slightly nutty, Warming spices.
Mouthfeel: Under full body, Smooth, Slightly sticky, Well hidden alcohol.
Flavour: Dark fruit, Chocolate, Toffee, Licorice, Cherry, Toasted dark bread, Bitter, Slight roasted malt, Molasses.
Overall: Familiar Cigar City aroma and flavour. It had a lot more dark fruit than I was expecting.
Review: 148
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4.59/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22oz Bomber purchased at Bottlebox
Look: Pitch black. No light getting through this sucker. Nice half a finger deep cocoa colored head. No activity.
Smell: Rich. Thick. Black strap molasses, espresso powder. Dark chocolate, the kind with no milk in it. Dates. Black currants. Floral hop bite. Smells incredible.
Taste: Molasses soaked dates up front that finished with notes of rum soaked coffee cake. This bottoms out with a hoppy bit to balance in the sweetness that in turn ramps up the bitter espresso notes. Then gives way to a finish of raisins, floral noble hops, cedar, and bitter dark chocolate. Insane.
Feel: Thick is the word here. You can seemingly cut this with a knife. Oily on the palate. Medium plus bitterness. Medium sweetness. Solid but not overwhelming alcohol.
Overall: A real beauty. I’m very glad I finally got to get my hands on this one. Absolutely worth picking up.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22oz Bomber purchased at Bottlebox
Look: Pitch black. No light getting through this sucker. Nice half a finger deep cocoa colored head. No activity.
Smell: Rich. Thick. Black strap molasses, espresso powder. Dark chocolate, the kind with no milk in it. Dates. Black currants. Floral hop bite. Smells incredible.
Taste: Molasses soaked dates up front that finished with notes of rum soaked coffee cake. This bottoms out with a hoppy bit to balance in the sweetness that in turn ramps up the bitter espresso notes. Then gives way to a finish of raisins, floral noble hops, cedar, and bitter dark chocolate. Insane.
Feel: Thick is the word here. You can seemingly cut this with a knife. Oily on the palate. Medium plus bitterness. Medium sweetness. Solid but not overwhelming alcohol.
Overall: A real beauty. I’m very glad I finally got to get my hands on this one. Absolutely worth picking up.
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4.38/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
22 ounce bottle into a snifter. 2018 edition, had 12/31/18.
Pours a dark brown, thick and oily looking, opaque, with a half inch head of darker foam and some slick, soapy lacing. Aromas of roasted malt, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, espresso, light caramel, herbal and earthy hops. The flavor is chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, espresso, lighter cocoa, some caramel, light raisins. Has a very roasty and herbal flavor. Smooth, a great and robust full body, well carbonated.
The hop profile is different and excellent, the flavor is bold- good and roasted, as an RIS should be. Very well done, and well worth a purchase.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
22 ounce bottle into a snifter. 2018 edition, had 12/31/18.
Pours a dark brown, thick and oily looking, opaque, with a half inch head of darker foam and some slick, soapy lacing. Aromas of roasted malt, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, espresso, light caramel, herbal and earthy hops. The flavor is chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, espresso, lighter cocoa, some caramel, light raisins. Has a very roasty and herbal flavor. Smooth, a great and robust full body, well carbonated.
The hop profile is different and excellent, the flavor is bold- good and roasted, as an RIS should be. Very well done, and well worth a purchase.
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4.43/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the 220z bottle in a snifter and bought at Party Source with special guest
Bluejacket74 (add applause here) in attendance (great eye there by the way for
a good brew). This award winning beast pours a deep obsidian with a nice
head of tan foam that settles to a thick ring, thin layer, and shows light lacing.
Nose of coffee, toffee, dark chocolate, light char, and subtle booze. Flavors
pack a punch with dark chocolate and char drizzled over black strap molasses
and earthy malts amidst lightly assertive herbal hops and light anise notes.
Excellent mouth feel; full rich body, smooth, light carbonation that is just
enough to give light lift to the beast, coating, and a boozy warming finish.
Worthy of a Peter The Great, this is a fantastic no frills imperial worthy
of trying!
Cheers
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the 220z bottle in a snifter and bought at Party Source with special guest
Bluejacket74 (add applause here) in attendance (great eye there by the way for
a good brew). This award winning beast pours a deep obsidian with a nice
head of tan foam that settles to a thick ring, thin layer, and shows light lacing.
Nose of coffee, toffee, dark chocolate, light char, and subtle booze. Flavors
pack a punch with dark chocolate and char drizzled over black strap molasses
and earthy malts amidst lightly assertive herbal hops and light anise notes.
Excellent mouth feel; full rich body, smooth, light carbonation that is just
enough to give light lift to the beast, coating, and a boozy warming finish.
Worthy of a Peter The Great, this is a fantastic no frills imperial worthy
of trying!
Cheers
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4.5/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle, bottled on 11/01/19. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head that stuck around for a while. There's a small amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like dark fruit, anise, burnt/charred malt, coffee, dark chocolate and molasses. For the most part I think the taste follows the aroma, but there's also the addition of some earthy, herbal hop and toffee flavors. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's slick and a bit syrupy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this a lot, it's a very, very good example of a Russian Imperial Stout. Definitely worth picking up if you come across some, I know I'd buy this again in the future! $11.99 a bomber.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle, bottled on 11/01/19. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head that stuck around for a while. There's a small amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like dark fruit, anise, burnt/charred malt, coffee, dark chocolate and molasses. For the most part I think the taste follows the aroma, but there's also the addition of some earthy, herbal hop and toffee flavors. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's slick and a bit syrupy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this a lot, it's a very, very good example of a Russian Imperial Stout. Definitely worth picking up if you come across some, I know I'd buy this again in the future! $11.99 a bomber.
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4.48/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours opaque, jet black in color with one third inch head. Taste is cocoa, baker's chocolate, and molasses. Heavy bodied, roasty, low carbonation. Glad I finally got to try this. Tasty straightforward RIS. Could have several. Super clean.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours opaque, jet black in color with one third inch head. Taste is cocoa, baker's chocolate, and molasses. Heavy bodied, roasty, low carbonation. Glad I finally got to try this. Tasty straightforward RIS. Could have several. Super clean.
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4.6/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very dark brown, small light brown head than fades quickly, leaving just a ring.
Aroma is of heavily roasted coffee, some burnt sugars and some bitter chocolate.
Taste is spot on to the aroma, with some residual sweetness, molasses.
Thick, oily and dense, almost chewy.
I've never seen this before so I was anxious to give it a try. Really enjoyed this beer, one of, if not the best RIS I've had.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very dark brown, small light brown head than fades quickly, leaving just a ring.
Aroma is of heavily roasted coffee, some burnt sugars and some bitter chocolate.
Taste is spot on to the aroma, with some residual sweetness, molasses.
Thick, oily and dense, almost chewy.
I've never seen this before so I was anxious to give it a try. Really enjoyed this beer, one of, if not the best RIS I've had.
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4.1/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottle Date: 2017
Palate Contaminants: none
The color is a very dark brown, near black. It's completely opaque. Good amount of head, about the darkest I've seen, which also happens to be very fine.
Slightly metallic scent. Very sugary, and maybe imagine the darkest rum you've ever had. A little nondescript dark fruit in the background, but it's so overwhelmingly sugar.
Taste has a ton of barrel up front. Burnt sugar is still there, and molasses and coffee show up a little after the other flavors have slightly lessened. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of depth to the flavors. I detect a little bit of honey, but what's there might be covered up by the barrel and burnt sugar.
Medium-light weight for the type, in spite of the heavy flavors. Well integrated carbonation. Aftertaste is those heavy characteristics of the taste, unsurprisingly. There is some bitterness from the barrel that at least goes away.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottle Date: 2017
Palate Contaminants: none
The color is a very dark brown, near black. It's completely opaque. Good amount of head, about the darkest I've seen, which also happens to be very fine.
Slightly metallic scent. Very sugary, and maybe imagine the darkest rum you've ever had. A little nondescript dark fruit in the background, but it's so overwhelmingly sugar.
Taste has a ton of barrel up front. Burnt sugar is still there, and molasses and coffee show up a little after the other flavors have slightly lessened. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of depth to the flavors. I detect a little bit of honey, but what's there might be covered up by the barrel and burnt sugar.
Medium-light weight for the type, in spite of the heavy flavors. Well integrated carbonation. Aftertaste is those heavy characteristics of the taste, unsurprisingly. There is some bitterness from the barrel that at least goes away.
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4.47/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours jet black with a cinnamon/chocolate cake color creamy head. Smell molasses, cocoa, sweet char,cola. Taste is reminiscent of coffee,cocoa, molasses,booze. Feels almost sponge cake like, not too oily or viscous.Feels almost thin (in a good way) Sufficient carbonation, nice semi dry finish. Overall a world class example in my opinion. Bottled on 11/01/19. 22oz bottle.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours jet black with a cinnamon/chocolate cake color creamy head. Smell molasses, cocoa, sweet char,cola. Taste is reminiscent of coffee,cocoa, molasses,booze. Feels almost sponge cake like, not too oily or viscous.Feels almost thin (in a good way) Sufficient carbonation, nice semi dry finish. Overall a world class example in my opinion. Bottled on 11/01/19. 22oz bottle.
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4.24/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Have heard lots of good things about this RIS... Saw it available in bottles for the 1st time today. Snagged a 22oz bottle at The Beer Store (Nashua) for $16.00... Here goes...
Poured about 1/2 the bottle into my trusty Smutty snifter... It's an oily, jet black, dense, opaque brew. Has a bit of mocha-hued foam around the rim, but no more, no less. Lacing is just a wish - nothing really there. Aroma has dark choco, coffee and some molasses. Feel is quite smooth and prickle-free, with a medium-plus body; prefer more heft and chewiness, though.
Taste has lightly sweet choco and some caramel, along with bitter, dark choco, espresso, molasses and some earthy notes. Has some subtle floral hop notes in the dry, roasty finish. Quite solid, though a bit less than expected; perhaps another product of the THM™. Prosit!!
4.24/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Have heard lots of good things about this RIS... Saw it available in bottles for the 1st time today. Snagged a 22oz bottle at The Beer Store (Nashua) for $16.00... Here goes...
Poured about 1/2 the bottle into my trusty Smutty snifter... It's an oily, jet black, dense, opaque brew. Has a bit of mocha-hued foam around the rim, but no more, no less. Lacing is just a wish - nothing really there. Aroma has dark choco, coffee and some molasses. Feel is quite smooth and prickle-free, with a medium-plus body; prefer more heft and chewiness, though.
Taste has lightly sweet choco and some caramel, along with bitter, dark choco, espresso, molasses and some earthy notes. Has some subtle floral hop notes in the dry, roasty finish. Quite solid, though a bit less than expected; perhaps another product of the THM™. Prosit!!
4.24/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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4.34/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pitch black and as e expected minimal head.
Fresh coffee grounds,spice,
That molasses on the tongue is a nice touch.
Great chocolate taste with a nice espresso kick.
But the molasses keeps shinning thru.
Creamy thick and complex taste sensations.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pitch black and as e expected minimal head.
Fresh coffee grounds,spice,
That molasses on the tongue is a nice touch.
Great chocolate taste with a nice espresso kick.
But the molasses keeps shinning thru.
Creamy thick and complex taste sensations.
246 characters
4.34/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottled on 11/01/19 poured into a Spiegelau stout glass at just above fridge temp 11.5% ABV 70 IBU. The beer pours dense black with no light penetration and moderate rusty brown head. The head recedes to a thin ring and partial single layer of bubbles. Minimal lacing. The aroma is substantial with dark chocolate and molasses. The taste is semisweet caramel, then bitter chocolate, molasses and earthy hops. The finish is mostly dry with medium bitterness. No hint of the ABV in the taste or aroma, even as the glass approaches room temperature. The mouthfeel is full to medium bodied with subdued carbonation. Overall, outstanding. This is a great example of what a skilled brewery can do with malt, hops, yeast & water. Great complexity, no gimmicks. Recommended.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottled on 11/01/19 poured into a Spiegelau stout glass at just above fridge temp 11.5% ABV 70 IBU. The beer pours dense black with no light penetration and moderate rusty brown head. The head recedes to a thin ring and partial single layer of bubbles. Minimal lacing. The aroma is substantial with dark chocolate and molasses. The taste is semisweet caramel, then bitter chocolate, molasses and earthy hops. The finish is mostly dry with medium bitterness. No hint of the ABV in the taste or aroma, even as the glass approaches room temperature. The mouthfeel is full to medium bodied with subdued carbonation. Overall, outstanding. This is a great example of what a skilled brewery can do with malt, hops, yeast & water. Great complexity, no gimmicks. Recommended.
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4.55/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a tulip glass.
This baby pours a jet black color with a very tiny tan head. The head leaves some spots of lacing and ultimately settles into a halo around the top of the beer.
The aroma is the greatest clusterfuck I've smelled since the time I lost my virginity. Dark roast coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and molasses lead the charge followed by a wave of roasted nuts, caramel, and fig. There's a hint of leather and beef jerky on the back end.
The flavor isn't quite as hilarious but there's still plenty going on; notes of dark chocolate, coffee and caramel, followed by tobacco and molasses. The finish is smokey, charred, and modestly hoppy.
This is a thiccc beer. Low carbonation and plenty of booze warmth. Creamy af with a relatively dry finish.
Overall, I give this one a 4.5/5. It's a tremendous imperial stout that hits just about every note expected of the style.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a tulip glass.
This baby pours a jet black color with a very tiny tan head. The head leaves some spots of lacing and ultimately settles into a halo around the top of the beer.
The aroma is the greatest clusterfuck I've smelled since the time I lost my virginity. Dark roast coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and molasses lead the charge followed by a wave of roasted nuts, caramel, and fig. There's a hint of leather and beef jerky on the back end.
The flavor isn't quite as hilarious but there's still plenty going on; notes of dark chocolate, coffee and caramel, followed by tobacco and molasses. The finish is smokey, charred, and modestly hoppy.
This is a thiccc beer. Low carbonation and plenty of booze warmth. Creamy af with a relatively dry finish.
Overall, I give this one a 4.5/5. It's a tremendous imperial stout that hits just about every note expected of the style.
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4.36/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 oz 2017 bottle. Pours black with tall, long lasting, creamy, brown head and nice lacing. Aroma is of roasted malt, toast, chocolate covered cherries, brandy, spices and vanilla. Body is full, creamy and smooth. Taste is of nutty, toasted malt, coffee, chocolate, brown sugar, dark fruit, spices and herbal hops. Finish is long and very bitter. Great RIS.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 oz 2017 bottle. Pours black with tall, long lasting, creamy, brown head and nice lacing. Aroma is of roasted malt, toast, chocolate covered cherries, brandy, spices and vanilla. Body is full, creamy and smooth. Taste is of nutty, toasted malt, coffee, chocolate, brown sugar, dark fruit, spices and herbal hops. Finish is long and very bitter. Great RIS.
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4.16/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Thanksgiving Day Nov 28 2019. Siesta Key, FL. Poured into plastic “crystal” tumbler
Pour: deep brown/black, small tan head that quickly dissipated leaving a few clouds and a thin ring.
Nose: dark chocolate, vanilla, oak.
Taste: dark chocolate, toffee, molasses, hint of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: thick, viscous, but still relatively clean.
Overall: a great RIS. Absolutely worth trying. This is second Thanksgiving Day in Siesta Key with a bottle!
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Thanksgiving Day Nov 28 2019. Siesta Key, FL. Poured into plastic “crystal” tumbler
Pour: deep brown/black, small tan head that quickly dissipated leaving a few clouds and a thin ring.
Nose: dark chocolate, vanilla, oak.
Taste: dark chocolate, toffee, molasses, hint of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: thick, viscous, but still relatively clean.
Overall: a great RIS. Absolutely worth trying. This is second Thanksgiving Day in Siesta Key with a bottle!
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4.42/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle, 2017 issue. Pours like motoroil, a pitch black colour and a dark brown head with a thin layer retention. Aroma's: from the glass it's red fruit (sourish even), hard roasted malts, dark chocolate (75+); retronasal: roast, mocha, rye bread, fruit, dark chocolate. Flavour is moderate sweet, big roasted, light fruity sour. Alcohol feel is quite strong. Full bodied. Long finish, with lots of roast and moderate bitterness. Pretty much how an impy should be.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle, 2017 issue. Pours like motoroil, a pitch black colour and a dark brown head with a thin layer retention. Aroma's: from the glass it's red fruit (sourish even), hard roasted malts, dark chocolate (75+); retronasal: roast, mocha, rye bread, fruit, dark chocolate. Flavour is moderate sweet, big roasted, light fruity sour. Alcohol feel is quite strong. Full bodied. Long finish, with lots of roast and moderate bitterness. Pretty much how an impy should be.
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4.22/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours black opaque, virtually no head. Strong presence of alcohol, with roasted malt evident in aroma. Roasted/chewy mouthfeel with heavy alcohol presence. Moderately high level of bitterness Hints of toffee, virtually no hop or yeast esters present. Very warming. Finishes sweet with some lingering bitterness.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours black opaque, virtually no head. Strong presence of alcohol, with roasted malt evident in aroma. Roasted/chewy mouthfeel with heavy alcohol presence. Moderately high level of bitterness Hints of toffee, virtually no hop or yeast esters present. Very warming. Finishes sweet with some lingering bitterness.
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Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout from Cigar City Brewing
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
3004 ratings
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