Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout | Cigar City Brewing
Brewed by:
Cigar City Brewing
Florida, United States | website
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.00%
Availability: Summer
Notes / Commercial Description:
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
Added by BigMcLargeHuge on 11-17-2008
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 546 | Ratings: 2,617
4.19/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks goes out to zimmerbloke for hooking me up with a few of Cigar City's finest. Due to a thread citing carbonation issues with Zhukov's, I made this the first CCB beer from the package I opened.
A: Poured hard into my Portsmouth snifter, a reverse waterfall yields a milk chocolate brown cap on a text-book potting soil black body. Although no real head ever formed, the thin surface layer cap and foam ring promise some carbonation. It seems the reports of the Marshal's demise don't apply to this particular bottle. Swirling the beer inside my glass literally stains the glass a walnut brown showing the viscosity of the brew. 5/5
S: Uh-oh... Some lactic qualities suggest a possible infection although that is my first response to a brewer intentionally using a lacto-culture in a big stout these days. Call it the curse of The Abyss! The alcohol doesn't hide in the nose but instead, shows up as a port like quality. 3.5/5
T: Nope... No infection here! Fantastic bitter chocolate cake are all over this thing! This lends a nice touch of bittering hops and anise on the finish. Wow-oh-wow this is sweet though. Never does this try to be anything else than a rich decadent dessert masquerading as a beer. As long as that's expected, it is great! 4.5/5
M: Very low carbed. This is a beer that is so big and luscious, it doesn't really need much carbonation. Similar to Hunahpu's, this beer literally coats my tongue. Its sticky, sticky, sweet and nothing about it is clean. Again, as long as its expected its good. 4.5/5
D: This is one hell of a solid beer! I've already lined up a trade for another one and plan on enjoying that as well. Do yourself a favor and try it if you can because there aren't many like it. Good on you for this creation Cigar City. 4/5
★ 1,772 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks goes out to zimmerbloke for hooking me up with a few of Cigar City's finest. Due to a thread citing carbonation issues with Zhukov's, I made this the first CCB beer from the package I opened.
A: Poured hard into my Portsmouth snifter, a reverse waterfall yields a milk chocolate brown cap on a text-book potting soil black body. Although no real head ever formed, the thin surface layer cap and foam ring promise some carbonation. It seems the reports of the Marshal's demise don't apply to this particular bottle. Swirling the beer inside my glass literally stains the glass a walnut brown showing the viscosity of the brew. 5/5
S: Uh-oh... Some lactic qualities suggest a possible infection although that is my first response to a brewer intentionally using a lacto-culture in a big stout these days. Call it the curse of The Abyss! The alcohol doesn't hide in the nose but instead, shows up as a port like quality. 3.5/5
T: Nope... No infection here! Fantastic bitter chocolate cake are all over this thing! This lends a nice touch of bittering hops and anise on the finish. Wow-oh-wow this is sweet though. Never does this try to be anything else than a rich decadent dessert masquerading as a beer. As long as that's expected, it is great! 4.5/5
M: Very low carbed. This is a beer that is so big and luscious, it doesn't really need much carbonation. Similar to Hunahpu's, this beer literally coats my tongue. Its sticky, sticky, sweet and nothing about it is clean. Again, as long as its expected its good. 4.5/5
D: This is one hell of a solid beer! I've already lined up a trade for another one and plan on enjoying that as well. Do yourself a favor and try it if you can because there aren't many like it. Good on you for this creation Cigar City. 4/5
★ 1,772 characters
4.19/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A- Pours thick and black with a smaller head forming. Retention on the deep tan colored head is very good, as is the lacing. No light escapes the body of this beer once it is in the glass.
S- Dark and bitter malts hits the nose first and display the impressive darkness of this beer. A touch of bitter dark chocolate is detectable, but burnt malts and dark and bitter coffee are more dominant. On the back end of the smell there is just a hint of tobacco to be had.
T- This beer starts out in the taste department just like it does with its scent; bitter and dark roasted malts. There is a touch of chocolate and anise in there to sweeten the bitter malts a bit, but not much, The dark malts turn a little towards coffee and dark fruit in the middle to back end of the drink before ultimately returning to the bitter roasts and lingering on the tongue.
M- This beer is low in carbonation and very thick, making it pretty smooth. Alcohol warmth can be felt, and combined with the heavy, dark, and bitter flavors, it makes it a slower drinker.
Overall, this is a very good RIS for the cold winter months. Being named for a Soviet hero is just appropriate for their cold weather climate and how stunningly thick and bitter this beer is.
★ 1,237 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A- Pours thick and black with a smaller head forming. Retention on the deep tan colored head is very good, as is the lacing. No light escapes the body of this beer once it is in the glass.
S- Dark and bitter malts hits the nose first and display the impressive darkness of this beer. A touch of bitter dark chocolate is detectable, but burnt malts and dark and bitter coffee are more dominant. On the back end of the smell there is just a hint of tobacco to be had.
T- This beer starts out in the taste department just like it does with its scent; bitter and dark roasted malts. There is a touch of chocolate and anise in there to sweeten the bitter malts a bit, but not much, The dark malts turn a little towards coffee and dark fruit in the middle to back end of the drink before ultimately returning to the bitter roasts and lingering on the tongue.
M- This beer is low in carbonation and very thick, making it pretty smooth. Alcohol warmth can be felt, and combined with the heavy, dark, and bitter flavors, it makes it a slower drinker.
Overall, this is a very good RIS for the cold winter months. Being named for a Soviet hero is just appropriate for their cold weather climate and how stunningly thick and bitter this beer is.
★ 1,237 characters
4.18/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Received 2011 bottle in a trade, and opened w/ barfwin & cosmonick at our Black Friday tasting.
Poured from 750ml bottle into red wine glass.
Aroma: Molasses, blueberry, cocoa powder, and a very faint sashimi soy sauce note. All aromas appropriate, and working well together.
Appearance: Pitch black body! Thin layer of foam is dark brown, and disappears quickly. As the thick syrup washes over the inside of the glass, it clings on, and leaves an amber hue.
Flavor: Rich chocolate brownie, a nice smokiness, a hint of cherry, and some dark chocolate bitterness. Very nice balance is struck between chocolaty sweetness and bitterness, with a final nod toward the bitter side.
Mouthfeel: Full body with velvety medium-high carbonation.
Overall: Definitely one of the finer imperial stouts that I've had. Someone at our tasting commented that Zhukov's is the base beer for Hunahpu's. I can definitely see a resemblance, minus the pepper of course. I'll be trying to get this again the next chance I have!
★ 1,008 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Received 2011 bottle in a trade, and opened w/ barfwin & cosmonick at our Black Friday tasting.
Poured from 750ml bottle into red wine glass.
Aroma: Molasses, blueberry, cocoa powder, and a very faint sashimi soy sauce note. All aromas appropriate, and working well together.
Appearance: Pitch black body! Thin layer of foam is dark brown, and disappears quickly. As the thick syrup washes over the inside of the glass, it clings on, and leaves an amber hue.
Flavor: Rich chocolate brownie, a nice smokiness, a hint of cherry, and some dark chocolate bitterness. Very nice balance is struck between chocolaty sweetness and bitterness, with a final nod toward the bitter side.
Mouthfeel: Full body with velvety medium-high carbonation.
Overall: Definitely one of the finer imperial stouts that I've had. Someone at our tasting commented that Zhukov's is the base beer for Hunahpu's. I can definitely see a resemblance, minus the pepper of course. I'll be trying to get this again the next chance I have!
★ 1,008 characters
4.18/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received in trade from brewtechnik, thanks for the opportunity!
Pours a thick black color with a huge dark chocolate mousse of a head that has exceptional retention and lacing. Smells of chocolate, caramel, licorice, dark fruits, vinous, brown sugar, spicy earthy hops. Well it smells wonderful, so far so good. The flavor is big and thick. Lots of Caramel chocolate and brown sugar up front. Then some licorice and fruits move in, some sweet some tart. A bit of earth and ash come in next before a long lingering bitter dark chocolate with just a touch of oxidation. Thick thick body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet creamy silky sweet mouthfeel. Damn that a big thick beer! I'll bet that's sitting somewhere around 1.050 right now. Aside from being a bit on the sweet side this is one flavorful brew.
★ 818 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received in trade from brewtechnik, thanks for the opportunity!
Pours a thick black color with a huge dark chocolate mousse of a head that has exceptional retention and lacing. Smells of chocolate, caramel, licorice, dark fruits, vinous, brown sugar, spicy earthy hops. Well it smells wonderful, so far so good. The flavor is big and thick. Lots of Caramel chocolate and brown sugar up front. Then some licorice and fruits move in, some sweet some tart. A bit of earth and ash come in next before a long lingering bitter dark chocolate with just a touch of oxidation. Thick thick body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet creamy silky sweet mouthfeel. Damn that a big thick beer! I'll bet that's sitting somewhere around 1.050 right now. Aside from being a bit on the sweet side this is one flavorful brew.
★ 818 characters
4.18/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Centennial for sending me this one!
Bottle has a hand written date of 7/15/11 on it.
The bottle has a new label so it must be the newest release. It also states 11% ABV compared to the 11.5% listed on BA.
Pours a thick pitch black with a huge 3 inch intensely dark khaki head that settles into a dome of foam. A nice latticework of lace slowly clings to the glass on the drink down. Smell is of rich dark chocolate, cocoa powder, subdued espresso/coffee, cinnamon, and some roasted malt. Taste is of dark roasted malt, bittersweet baker's chocolate, roasted espresso/coffee beans, and some molasses flavors. There is a roasty and hop bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer is extremely thick and creamy in the mouth. The ABV is hidden pretty well in the smell and taste. Overall, this is a good RIS that is very rich and makes for a slow sipper. I am glad I finally got to try one of these.
★ 916 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Centennial for sending me this one!
Bottle has a hand written date of 7/15/11 on it.
The bottle has a new label so it must be the newest release. It also states 11% ABV compared to the 11.5% listed on BA.
Pours a thick pitch black with a huge 3 inch intensely dark khaki head that settles into a dome of foam. A nice latticework of lace slowly clings to the glass on the drink down. Smell is of rich dark chocolate, cocoa powder, subdued espresso/coffee, cinnamon, and some roasted malt. Taste is of dark roasted malt, bittersweet baker's chocolate, roasted espresso/coffee beans, and some molasses flavors. There is a roasty and hop bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer is extremely thick and creamy in the mouth. The ABV is hidden pretty well in the smell and taste. Overall, this is a good RIS that is very rich and makes for a slow sipper. I am glad I finally got to try one of these.
★ 916 characters
4.18/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Acquired in a trade from bryanole27.. thanks man!
Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout has been a long time want of mine.
Appearance: Served appropriately in my Cigar City snifter - Marshal Zhukov's glugs from it's 750mL bottle with such viscosity that comparisons to motor oil become inevitable.. the head on this thing is a foreboding espresso color. It's also impenetrable to light; completely opaque and one of the darkest beers I've ever seen.
Smell: charred malt with touch of mustiness; there's that uniquely British hop aroma in there as well.
Taste: a bunch of dark chocolate along with some dark toffee, espresso, and molasses.. the finish is what sets this beer apart though - it's surprisingly earthy and herbal. I remember reading someone's take on Marshal Zhukov's here on Beer Advocate and they used the descriptor "scorched earth." I feel like that illustrates the finish on this one pretty well. It's almost as if there's a dirt like quality to this stout (it sounds bad, but it works!).
Mouthfeel: few beers can rival Zhukov's density.. it's borderline chewy. The carbonation level is low, allowing for a smooth mouthfeel.
Overall: I'm really glad I finally got to try this one.. If I were still living in Florida, I would pick up a couple bottles every August when it's released.
★ 1,298 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Acquired in a trade from bryanole27.. thanks man!
Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout has been a long time want of mine.
Appearance: Served appropriately in my Cigar City snifter - Marshal Zhukov's glugs from it's 750mL bottle with such viscosity that comparisons to motor oil become inevitable.. the head on this thing is a foreboding espresso color. It's also impenetrable to light; completely opaque and one of the darkest beers I've ever seen.
Smell: charred malt with touch of mustiness; there's that uniquely British hop aroma in there as well.
Taste: a bunch of dark chocolate along with some dark toffee, espresso, and molasses.. the finish is what sets this beer apart though - it's surprisingly earthy and herbal. I remember reading someone's take on Marshal Zhukov's here on Beer Advocate and they used the descriptor "scorched earth." I feel like that illustrates the finish on this one pretty well. It's almost as if there's a dirt like quality to this stout (it sounds bad, but it works!).
Mouthfeel: few beers can rival Zhukov's density.. it's borderline chewy. The carbonation level is low, allowing for a smooth mouthfeel.
Overall: I'm really glad I finally got to try this one.. If I were still living in Florida, I would pick up a couple bottles every August when it's released.
★ 1,298 characters
4.17/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This was one rich tasting RIS. The smell is that of a strong coffee, with traces of caramel, roasted toffee, and a little spice.
The taste is equally impressive. I found it to be so rich that it was a bit heavy, but if you are a fan of robust stouts than this hits the mark.
The drinkability is okay, when you consider the style.
So far this was my favorite offering from Cigar City and I intend to cellar a bottle as per the brewers instructions. I suspect the taste will be even better in a few months.
★ 507 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This was one rich tasting RIS. The smell is that of a strong coffee, with traces of caramel, roasted toffee, and a little spice.
The taste is equally impressive. I found it to be so rich that it was a bit heavy, but if you are a fan of robust stouts than this hits the mark.
The drinkability is okay, when you consider the style.
So far this was my favorite offering from Cigar City and I intend to cellar a bottle as per the brewers instructions. I suspect the taste will be even better in a few months.
★ 507 characters
4.17/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
991st Review on BA
Bottle to Snifter
750 ML
2011
Thanks to Spydfire83 for this gift.
*Shared by those at MrHirschybars*
App- When I look at nostalgia items in a antique store and see those old Mobil cans from the 50's, this is the liquid I imagined would be flowing out of it. Pure black motor oil with a huge viscous body to it. Not the semi-transparent oil we use today. This also produced a small one finger dark roasted looking brown head with some nice cling lines.
Smell- This opened like a good hot cast iron pan roasting nuts for the holidays. A little bit of the nuts come in and then a little bit of the wafting smoke from the fire comes up. A bit of liquid chocolate and then a little bit of the malts on a final pull.
Taste- So far for me, CCB has been hit and miss. I was really afraid this would be like Hunaphus and I wouldn't like it. Not the case. A very good large stout with a lot of flavors and layer wrinkles to make us beer geeks happy. Not as smooth as some, not as flavorful as some. But very well done with large quantities of chocolate, roast, smoke, coffee and some dark dark fruits. (←, this was very minimal)
Mouth- A thick body with a low carbonation level. Dark chocolate, coffee and roast after taste. A good feel but not as creamy as I would like it to be.
Drink- This was a good treat. I am glad I decided to open this one up for everyone and it got rave reviews from the group. A solid, large, not overly complex but still very multi-faceted beer. I would love to have this one again.
★ 1,527 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
991st Review on BA
Bottle to Snifter
750 ML
2011
Thanks to Spydfire83 for this gift.
*Shared by those at MrHirschybars*
App- When I look at nostalgia items in a antique store and see those old Mobil cans from the 50's, this is the liquid I imagined would be flowing out of it. Pure black motor oil with a huge viscous body to it. Not the semi-transparent oil we use today. This also produced a small one finger dark roasted looking brown head with some nice cling lines.
Smell- This opened like a good hot cast iron pan roasting nuts for the holidays. A little bit of the nuts come in and then a little bit of the wafting smoke from the fire comes up. A bit of liquid chocolate and then a little bit of the malts on a final pull.
Taste- So far for me, CCB has been hit and miss. I was really afraid this would be like Hunaphus and I wouldn't like it. Not the case. A very good large stout with a lot of flavors and layer wrinkles to make us beer geeks happy. Not as smooth as some, not as flavorful as some. But very well done with large quantities of chocolate, roast, smoke, coffee and some dark dark fruits. (←, this was very minimal)
Mouth- A thick body with a low carbonation level. Dark chocolate, coffee and roast after taste. A good feel but not as creamy as I would like it to be.
Drink- This was a good treat. I am glad I decided to open this one up for everyone and it got rave reviews from the group. A solid, large, not overly complex but still very multi-faceted beer. I would love to have this one again.
★ 1,527 characters
4.17/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
2011 vintage...
A: Pours a completely opaque black with two full fingers of dark mocha head. It was a pretty vigerous pour, and the head keep growing. I have to say that the foam looks incredibly creamy, and that it takes forever to settle. There is a serious amount of lacing as it drinks.
S: I'm picking up on a big raisin note, as well as burnt toast, roasted malt, caramel, and bitter dark chocolate. The raisins and stone fruits are pretty dominating, but not to the point of one dimensional.
T: I get raisin and plums right up front, that then mix with the burnt toast and roasted malt. The flavors transition into caramel as it envelops the palate. The finish is caramel, chocolate and more raisin. The burnt toast seems to linger long after I've downed a sip.
M: Full bodied beer. This beer is silky smooth. The flavor transitions are really pleasant and I'm left wanting more with each and every sip.
O: This is a really solid russian imperial stout. I don't know if I could drink a whole bottle of this in one sitting, but it's delicious. I've loved come of CCB's beers and I've hated some of their beers. This one is in the former, rather than the later.
★ 1,170 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
2011 vintage...
A: Pours a completely opaque black with two full fingers of dark mocha head. It was a pretty vigerous pour, and the head keep growing. I have to say that the foam looks incredibly creamy, and that it takes forever to settle. There is a serious amount of lacing as it drinks.
S: I'm picking up on a big raisin note, as well as burnt toast, roasted malt, caramel, and bitter dark chocolate. The raisins and stone fruits are pretty dominating, but not to the point of one dimensional.
T: I get raisin and plums right up front, that then mix with the burnt toast and roasted malt. The flavors transition into caramel as it envelops the palate. The finish is caramel, chocolate and more raisin. The burnt toast seems to linger long after I've downed a sip.
M: Full bodied beer. This beer is silky smooth. The flavor transitions are really pleasant and I'm left wanting more with each and every sip.
O: This is a really solid russian imperial stout. I don't know if I could drink a whole bottle of this in one sitting, but it's delicious. I've loved come of CCB's beers and I've hated some of their beers. This one is in the former, rather than the later.
★ 1,170 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Won this in my first LIF win from Scray24. Thanks again!
Appearance- Poured an opaque motor oil black with a massive, rocky three fingers of brown head. Amazing head for a RIS and it has surprisingly good retention as well. Very nice looking.
Smell- Lots of bitter chocolate, burnt roast, and coffee. Additionally, some notes of dark fruit as well. A many-layered and complex nose but definitely dominated by roast of many varieties.
Taste- Rich bitter chocolate is most prominent. An excellent combination of roast and bitterness, both sweet and bitter. Dark fruits show up again as well, almost reminiscent of some flavors that usually show up in a dubbel or quad. Quite interesting and very well integrated.
Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Mouthfeel is rich, slick, and chewy all at once. Perfectly carbonated as well. Drinkability is a bit low given the style and sweetness but very good for the style.
Overall, an excellent imperial stout. I was very impressed and to date have enjoyed all Cigar City brews I have had.
Overall,
★ 1,030 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Won this in my first LIF win from Scray24. Thanks again!
Appearance- Poured an opaque motor oil black with a massive, rocky three fingers of brown head. Amazing head for a RIS and it has surprisingly good retention as well. Very nice looking.
Smell- Lots of bitter chocolate, burnt roast, and coffee. Additionally, some notes of dark fruit as well. A many-layered and complex nose but definitely dominated by roast of many varieties.
Taste- Rich bitter chocolate is most prominent. An excellent combination of roast and bitterness, both sweet and bitter. Dark fruits show up again as well, almost reminiscent of some flavors that usually show up in a dubbel or quad. Quite interesting and very well integrated.
Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Mouthfeel is rich, slick, and chewy all at once. Perfectly carbonated as well. Drinkability is a bit low given the style and sweetness but very good for the style.
Overall, an excellent imperial stout. I was very impressed and to date have enjoyed all Cigar City brews I have had.
Overall,
★ 1,030 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
(750ml bottle courtesy of markwise and shared at Mike's sours/saisons tasting). Pours black with chocolate head. No carbonation and oil-like. Aroma of chocolate and soy. Taste is sweet with some roasty bitterness. Medium bodied with slick texture. Finish is smooth and roasty. This is a really good RIS. Thanks Mark!
★ 316 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
(750ml bottle courtesy of markwise and shared at Mike's sours/saisons tasting). Pours black with chocolate head. No carbonation and oil-like. Aroma of chocolate and soy. Taste is sweet with some roasty bitterness. Medium bodied with slick texture. Finish is smooth and roasty. This is a really good RIS. Thanks Mark!
★ 316 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review #500!
Marshall Zhukov pours the deepest, darkest, blackest brown of any beer I have seen thus far in my travels. Even the head is ridiculously dark and is about the color of a rich hot cocoa. The head retention is very impressive, as is the lacing.
The aroma is quite unique. It is a mix of sweet dark malt, bitter cocoa, dark fruits and some seriously crazy earthy spice. I am tempted to say that this beer smells a bit on the sweet side, but the other flavors come in and make it very interesting and well balanced. This is also one of those beers that every sniff can yield something a bit different. Some smell like a chocolate shake, some like fermented fruit and some like rich coffee.
The flavor is yet another rollercoaster ride with the sweet malts hitting the palate first before transitioning into a complex web of plums, bitter cocoa, coffee, toffee and a woody earthy character. This beer has so many flavors and is quite sweet, but still manages to stay just on the right side of cloying for my taste. As the beer warms some hop character starts to come out, especially near the end of the sip. It is mostly floral and slightly earthy.
This beer has one of the largest bodies of any I have ever tasted. It is majorly thick and hearty with a smooth and low carbed feel that can only be described as decadent. The finish is sticky, but that seems fine for a beer like this.
This is a pretty crazy beer and a fittingly epic one for a milestone review. It is a great brew to savor and let warm as I slowly sip it on this cold Northern Michigan night. I cannot proclaim this to be my favorite Imperial stout ever, but it is a fine example and I give CC full props for making something that stands out amongst the crowd.
★ 1,740 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review #500!
Marshall Zhukov pours the deepest, darkest, blackest brown of any beer I have seen thus far in my travels. Even the head is ridiculously dark and is about the color of a rich hot cocoa. The head retention is very impressive, as is the lacing.
The aroma is quite unique. It is a mix of sweet dark malt, bitter cocoa, dark fruits and some seriously crazy earthy spice. I am tempted to say that this beer smells a bit on the sweet side, but the other flavors come in and make it very interesting and well balanced. This is also one of those beers that every sniff can yield something a bit different. Some smell like a chocolate shake, some like fermented fruit and some like rich coffee.
The flavor is yet another rollercoaster ride with the sweet malts hitting the palate first before transitioning into a complex web of plums, bitter cocoa, coffee, toffee and a woody earthy character. This beer has so many flavors and is quite sweet, but still manages to stay just on the right side of cloying for my taste. As the beer warms some hop character starts to come out, especially near the end of the sip. It is mostly floral and slightly earthy.
This beer has one of the largest bodies of any I have ever tasted. It is majorly thick and hearty with a smooth and low carbed feel that can only be described as decadent. The finish is sticky, but that seems fine for a beer like this.
This is a pretty crazy beer and a fittingly epic one for a milestone review. It is a great brew to savor and let warm as I slowly sip it on this cold Northern Michigan night. I cannot proclaim this to be my favorite Imperial stout ever, but it is a fine example and I give CC full props for making something that stands out amongst the crowd.
★ 1,740 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours pitch black, and the head is the darkest I’ve ever seen, milk chocolate color, and excellent retention.
Smell is roast, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, sweet. As it warms up, the roasty and fruity characteristics balance more, quite enjoyable.
Taste is different, chocolate up front, a bit fruity towards the middle and roasty red fruit to finish. Little to no alcohol. As it warms, the fruit is still there, and the primary aftertaste, raspberry and cherry overpower the roast.
A bit of a lighter body than I was expecting from it. Very good stout, pretty unique, but the overpowering red fruit quality keeps it from being higher to me. Still quite enjoyable but could be a bit more balanced.
★ 704 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours pitch black, and the head is the darkest I’ve ever seen, milk chocolate color, and excellent retention.
Smell is roast, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, sweet. As it warms up, the roasty and fruity characteristics balance more, quite enjoyable.
Taste is different, chocolate up front, a bit fruity towards the middle and roasty red fruit to finish. Little to no alcohol. As it warms, the fruit is still there, and the primary aftertaste, raspberry and cherry overpower the roast.
A bit of a lighter body than I was expecting from it. Very good stout, pretty unique, but the overpowering red fruit quality keeps it from being higher to me. Still quite enjoyable but could be a bit more balanced.
★ 704 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, not sure who I got this particular bottle from, but it's either Centennial or Blazer06, either way thanks guys. Into a Stone IRS glass.
A: Probably the darkest beer I've held in my hands, completely black, no light, even around the edges of the glass. About an inch of head shows up, and it is easily the darkest brown head I've ever seen. Nice lacing left behind. Damn fine looking beer.
S: Rich chocolate, caramel malts, and a fair amount of roasted malts. Smells incredibly sweet. Lots of molasses and coffee, brown sugar and a ton of great strong dark beer smells. There's a lot going on here, but I wish it just popped a little bit more. Still, quite nice.
T: A lot like it smells, tons of sweetness. Right off the bat I get black coffee with sugar mixed in, that's exactly what it tastes like. Under that is a nice chocolate and caramel flavor that lingers just long enough to fade into coffee and burnt malts. A fair amount of bitterness wraps things up, not full on from hops, as there is some bitter burnt malt in there, but it is a nice resiny, hoppy bitterness.
M: Incredibly thick with the perfect amount of carbonation, a very fine carbonation, that really aides to making this a thick, creamy beer. Very sticky on the lips. Just about perfect here. Not boozy at all.
O: A very sweet stout, that tonight is hitting the spot. I'm not a huge fan of coffee and sugar, but with the chocolate and bit of hoppy bitterness make this really nice. Excellent dessert beer. The mouthfeel is almost exactly right, really thick, and sticky. Really a nice beer, lives up to it's reputation.
★ 1,613 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, not sure who I got this particular bottle from, but it's either Centennial or Blazer06, either way thanks guys. Into a Stone IRS glass.
A: Probably the darkest beer I've held in my hands, completely black, no light, even around the edges of the glass. About an inch of head shows up, and it is easily the darkest brown head I've ever seen. Nice lacing left behind. Damn fine looking beer.
S: Rich chocolate, caramel malts, and a fair amount of roasted malts. Smells incredibly sweet. Lots of molasses and coffee, brown sugar and a ton of great strong dark beer smells. There's a lot going on here, but I wish it just popped a little bit more. Still, quite nice.
T: A lot like it smells, tons of sweetness. Right off the bat I get black coffee with sugar mixed in, that's exactly what it tastes like. Under that is a nice chocolate and caramel flavor that lingers just long enough to fade into coffee and burnt malts. A fair amount of bitterness wraps things up, not full on from hops, as there is some bitter burnt malt in there, but it is a nice resiny, hoppy bitterness.
M: Incredibly thick with the perfect amount of carbonation, a very fine carbonation, that really aides to making this a thick, creamy beer. Very sticky on the lips. Just about perfect here. Not boozy at all.
O: A very sweet stout, that tonight is hitting the spot. I'm not a huge fan of coffee and sugar, but with the chocolate and bit of hoppy bitterness make this really nice. Excellent dessert beer. The mouthfeel is almost exactly right, really thick, and sticky. Really a nice beer, lives up to it's reputation.
★ 1,613 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with two fingers of thick dark tan head. I love these endlessly dark Imperial Stouts.
Scent of roasted coffee, roasted malts, sugar, dark fruit, cedar, and a hint of spicy hops. Strong, but surprisingly, not very boozy.
Taste of burnt coffee, roasted malts, caramel, dry sugar, and some dark fruit. Finishes bitter, but not quite as bitter and Hoppin' Frog's D.O.R.I.S.
Mouthfeel is heavy bodied, dense and oily with a low, smooth carbonation.
★ 464 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with two fingers of thick dark tan head. I love these endlessly dark Imperial Stouts.
Scent of roasted coffee, roasted malts, sugar, dark fruit, cedar, and a hint of spicy hops. Strong, but surprisingly, not very boozy.
Taste of burnt coffee, roasted malts, caramel, dry sugar, and some dark fruit. Finishes bitter, but not quite as bitter and Hoppin' Frog's D.O.R.I.S.
Mouthfeel is heavy bodied, dense and oily with a low, smooth carbonation.
★ 464 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks Nate for including this with a trade.
Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter.
A - Pours an extremely dark, inky black. A two finger head of dark brown(one of darkest heads around). A good amount of lacing.
S - chocolate milk. Slight roast. Caramel. Sweet. Milky Way. Dark stone fruit.
T - lots of the same. Lots of choclate and caramel. Sticky and sweet on the lips. Sweet but not cloyingly so. Lots of toffee too. Not much in the way of hop flavor or aroma. A slight hop bitterness on the back but has melded well. Milky Way. Some stone fruit notes appears as it warms.
M - full bodied and thick, almost shake like.
D - fairly low to medium-low.
Overall, a fantastic tasting RIS. A little thicker and stickier than I like but still good. The high IBU stated doesn't come through, so I can only assume the bottle is from last year. Drinks a little cleaner when consumed on the cold side.
★ 904 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks Nate for including this with a trade.
Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter.
A - Pours an extremely dark, inky black. A two finger head of dark brown(one of darkest heads around). A good amount of lacing.
S - chocolate milk. Slight roast. Caramel. Sweet. Milky Way. Dark stone fruit.
T - lots of the same. Lots of choclate and caramel. Sticky and sweet on the lips. Sweet but not cloyingly so. Lots of toffee too. Not much in the way of hop flavor or aroma. A slight hop bitterness on the back but has melded well. Milky Way. Some stone fruit notes appears as it warms.
M - full bodied and thick, almost shake like.
D - fairly low to medium-low.
Overall, a fantastic tasting RIS. A little thicker and stickier than I like but still good. The high IBU stated doesn't come through, so I can only assume the bottle is from last year. Drinks a little cleaner when consumed on the cold side.
★ 904 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Appearance: Poured form 25.4oz bottle into large snifter. Extremely dark, purely opaque. Looks thick, syrupy, and oily. Extremely thin head forms for just a moment post-pour.
Smell: Sweet toffee, coffee, and chocolate - exactly how the bottle describes it.
Taste: Not as intense as I had expected, very mild actually. Sweet chocolate and espresso. Roasted malts as well.
Mouthfeel: Very balanced, creamy, and silky. Almost no bite whatsoever. Lots of sticky, sweet residue around and in the mouth & lips.
Drinkability: By far, the most drinkable Russian Imperial Stout I've ever had. It is a very sweet brew, which is not particularly my favourite. It looks and feels excellent, though.
★ 690 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Appearance: Poured form 25.4oz bottle into large snifter. Extremely dark, purely opaque. Looks thick, syrupy, and oily. Extremely thin head forms for just a moment post-pour.
Smell: Sweet toffee, coffee, and chocolate - exactly how the bottle describes it.
Taste: Not as intense as I had expected, very mild actually. Sweet chocolate and espresso. Roasted malts as well.
Mouthfeel: Very balanced, creamy, and silky. Almost no bite whatsoever. Lots of sticky, sweet residue around and in the mouth & lips.
Drinkability: By far, the most drinkable Russian Imperial Stout I've ever had. It is a very sweet brew, which is not particularly my favourite. It looks and feels excellent, though.
★ 690 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
A: This is a black beer, no doubt about it. Head has a brown/reddish tint to it and last for a little. Lacing is nice. Pours thick, like a light chocolate syrup. No seeing through this bad boy.
S: Lots of roastiness, malt and some alcohol. Dark chocolate notes are also present.
T:This beer is good, but it has a lot of odd notes. Up front you get a smoked cherries type flavor (my brother in law compared it to like a beef jerky taste, weird!), the on the back end you get espresso and dark chocolate, with some fig notes. Decent.
M: Thick, thick, thick. This beer feels exactly like it appears Pretty damn close to a stout shake!
O: Not a bad beer, don't be turned off by the weird tasting notes I described. That's what makes craft beer, craft beer. Give it a shot!
★ 772 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
A: This is a black beer, no doubt about it. Head has a brown/reddish tint to it and last for a little. Lacing is nice. Pours thick, like a light chocolate syrup. No seeing through this bad boy.
S: Lots of roastiness, malt and some alcohol. Dark chocolate notes are also present.
T:This beer is good, but it has a lot of odd notes. Up front you get a smoked cherries type flavor (my brother in law compared it to like a beef jerky taste, weird!), the on the back end you get espresso and dark chocolate, with some fig notes. Decent.
M: Thick, thick, thick. This beer feels exactly like it appears Pretty damn close to a stout shake!
O: Not a bad beer, don't be turned off by the weird tasting notes I described. That's what makes craft beer, craft beer. Give it a shot!
★ 772 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2011 750ml bottle poured into a Bruery tulip. Deep dark black ink black color. Edges are just as black. Head is a huge three fingers of dark chocolate color and a silky pillow soft appearance. Reminds me of Brooklyn Black Ops. Lace is sticking in a raining pattern. Quite nice!!
Smell is dark roasted espresso beans, dark chocolate, dried cherries, maybe some charred wood and some alcohol.
Taste is mostly like the nose. There is the dark, bitter chocolate, some coffee but the dominate flavor is the tart fruits. Cherries, figs. I am not getting any alcohol taste or burn with this at all, at least while it's still on the cold side.
Mouth is smooth and luscious, carbonation is on the medium side. Body is rich and towards chewy. Finish is everlasting and wet with the slightest hint of alcohol burn.
Overall I have been waiting over a year to crack this bottle and it didn't disappoint. There is a reason this is on the top 100 list. Thanks to Centenial for sending this my way. I would love to try a fresh bottle. Trade for, or pick this one up if you can.
★ 1,066 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2011 750ml bottle poured into a Bruery tulip. Deep dark black ink black color. Edges are just as black. Head is a huge three fingers of dark chocolate color and a silky pillow soft appearance. Reminds me of Brooklyn Black Ops. Lace is sticking in a raining pattern. Quite nice!!
Smell is dark roasted espresso beans, dark chocolate, dried cherries, maybe some charred wood and some alcohol.
Taste is mostly like the nose. There is the dark, bitter chocolate, some coffee but the dominate flavor is the tart fruits. Cherries, figs. I am not getting any alcohol taste or burn with this at all, at least while it's still on the cold side.
Mouth is smooth and luscious, carbonation is on the medium side. Body is rich and towards chewy. Finish is everlasting and wet with the slightest hint of alcohol burn.
Overall I have been waiting over a year to crack this bottle and it didn't disappoint. There is a reason this is on the top 100 list. Thanks to Centenial for sending this my way. I would love to try a fresh bottle. Trade for, or pick this one up if you can.
★ 1,066 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had a 2011 vintage in a tulip earlier this year. This review will be updated asap once I grab another bottle. Poured a black, thick, viscous beer. Smells sweet, lots of chocolate in this once some caramel as well. Really sweet… almost too sweet for me (and I usually love sweet chocolate bombs), this would be good barrel aged (hence the reason hunahpu is so popular). I need to try this again, but this was very chocolaty and sweet.
★ 435 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had a 2011 vintage in a tulip earlier this year. This review will be updated asap once I grab another bottle. Poured a black, thick, viscous beer. Smells sweet, lots of chocolate in this once some caramel as well. Really sweet… almost too sweet for me (and I usually love sweet chocolate bombs), this would be good barrel aged (hence the reason hunahpu is so popular). I need to try this again, but this was very chocolaty and sweet.
★ 435 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Large shared 2014 bottle.
Lightly sweet, a better level than Surly Darkness or Dark Lord, tried in the same tasting session.
Plenty of dark dried fruit. Lightly boozy in a way that fits the other characteristics.
★ 212 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Large shared 2014 bottle.
Lightly sweet, a better level than Surly Darkness or Dark Lord, tried in the same tasting session.
Plenty of dark dried fruit. Lightly boozy in a way that fits the other characteristics.
★ 212 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle
A- Poured into a snifter. This one is a pretty thick pour. Pours a pitch black color with a tan head that leaves a good amount of lacing.
S- The aroma is dark roasted malts and chocolate notes.
T- The taste is big and roasty with ton of roasted malt flavors with some unsweetened chocolate, espresso, and some bitterness from the hops in the warming finish. Very nice! All the flavors blend very well together.
M- The mouthfeel is full bodied with a perfect amount of carbonation.
D- Overall, this is yet another fantastic beer from Cigar City. I can't wait to try this again with some more age on it!
★ 623 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle
A- Poured into a snifter. This one is a pretty thick pour. Pours a pitch black color with a tan head that leaves a good amount of lacing.
S- The aroma is dark roasted malts and chocolate notes.
T- The taste is big and roasty with ton of roasted malt flavors with some unsweetened chocolate, espresso, and some bitterness from the hops in the warming finish. Very nice! All the flavors blend very well together.
M- The mouthfeel is full bodied with a perfect amount of carbonation.
D- Overall, this is yet another fantastic beer from Cigar City. I can't wait to try this again with some more age on it!
★ 623 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I forget who opened this...perhaps Dunt? Thanks to whoever!
Appearance – Pours into a tulip with a completely black color and thicker viscosity. About half finger of tan head.
Smell – Sweet chocolate and cocoa, roasted malts, char, coffee, and brown sugar.
Taste – A nice roasted flavor up front mixed with a nice milky chocolate flavor. Slight toffee and hops come through in the middle and a hint of coffee at the end.
Mouthfeel – Nice and chewy, thicker bodied, finishes a bit dry.
Overall – A great stout and one I’d hope to have again.
★ 557 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I forget who opened this...perhaps Dunt? Thanks to whoever!
Appearance – Pours into a tulip with a completely black color and thicker viscosity. About half finger of tan head.
Smell – Sweet chocolate and cocoa, roasted malts, char, coffee, and brown sugar.
Taste – A nice roasted flavor up front mixed with a nice milky chocolate flavor. Slight toffee and hops come through in the middle and a hint of coffee at the end.
Mouthfeel – Nice and chewy, thicker bodied, finishes a bit dry.
Overall – A great stout and one I’d hope to have again.
★ 557 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into my Strong Beer Month '04 snifter. Blacker than hell pour with a slowly rising espresso head. Slight bubbly in the middle of the froth, with the top being a darker color than the middle looking from the side of the glass. Head slowly dissipates, leaving some nice brown lacing with a 1/4" of filmy head.
Tobacco, marshmellow, zippy hoppy and some fumes. Very decadent.
Oily up front, very viscous. Really soft on the lips, velvety. Bitter...chocolate & hoppy. Throw in some cold brewed coffee too. Plum, raisin, fig and strawberry...yowzers. Strong bitter chocolate oil. Astringent tobacco bitterness, somehow a little tart on the finish. Long lasting bitter, dry & tannic. Mouth feels like I just smoked a mild cigar.
★ 730 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into my Strong Beer Month '04 snifter. Blacker than hell pour with a slowly rising espresso head. Slight bubbly in the middle of the froth, with the top being a darker color than the middle looking from the side of the glass. Head slowly dissipates, leaving some nice brown lacing with a 1/4" of filmy head.
Tobacco, marshmellow, zippy hoppy and some fumes. Very decadent.
Oily up front, very viscous. Really soft on the lips, velvety. Bitter...chocolate & hoppy. Throw in some cold brewed coffee too. Plum, raisin, fig and strawberry...yowzers. Strong bitter chocolate oil. Astringent tobacco bitterness, somehow a little tart on the finish. Long lasting bitter, dry & tannic. Mouth feels like I just smoked a mild cigar.
★ 730 characters
Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout from Cigar City Brewing
4.28
out of 5
based on 2,617 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - DARK DARK DARK...motor oil dark. Just a slight head and even it is dark.
S - burnt caramel, burnt chocolate, molasses, vanilla, very complex!!!
T - over the top. There's so much going on, it's hard to even review. A bit boozie, but the caramel, burnt chocolate, and molasses tastes all come through.
D - well, you aren't going to sit down and drink a bottle by yourself...or if you do, you won't remember the second half. It's a great sipper. Needs to be cold out, because this will warm you up.
★ 504 characters