Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout - Cigar City Brewing

aubuc1

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle poured in to a snifter.

Pours pitch black with a thick tannish almost red head.

Smell is roasty, sweet and a smooth chocolate. Very balanced.

Taste is pretty bold. Coffeeish roasty, char with a dry finish.

Mouthfeel is very creamy. This beer is not real drinkable for me, but does not sacrifice the beer.

Another great, huge beer from ccb.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2009 01:07:33 | More by aubuc1

alcstradamus

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pitch black into my tulip glass. I gave this a reasonably hard pour but it was coming out very thick and viscous so the head took a second to form. Before I knew it, I had 4 fingers of the darkest beer head you will ever see rising...and rising...and rising...and then overflowing. I tried to clean it up but it was just so damn thick and sticky that a simple paper towel couldn't do the trick. After cleanup, the head camped out forever and left a wall of lacing down the glass. Literally the best looking beer I've ever poured.

Smell is a somewhat odd mix of bright hops, wood, toasted malt, and apple peel. Not bad, but different.

The taste is a bit more "normal"...and in this case normal refers to a gigantic roasted malt profile. Burnt toast, cocoa powder, citrus hops, biscuits, and just the smallest hint of sweetness make up the flavor profile. Pretty good.

Mouthfeel is full bodied with good carbonation levels. The carbonation actually makes it seem lighter than it is though. This is definitely thick and sticky right when it hits the mouth.

This stout was actually more impressive than it was likable, however I still enjoyed it quite a bit. If there was a bit more complexity in the flavor profile--perhaps the addition of a dark fruit or chocolate character--this could be a world class beer. The base is there, but I don't feel like it is complete. Still, worth acquiring and sharing with a couple buddies.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2009 04:56:38 | More by alcstradamus

davod23

California

3.48/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into my Bruery tulip glass.

The pour is near black, oily, even chunky-looking as it leaves the bottle. Beautiful mocha-colored head that billows up, but then reduces to a thin layer on top of the brew. Good staying power. A bit of spotty lace. This is about as nice-looking as stouts get.

Smell... huh. Not bad, but nothing great. I detect some chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, and smoke. However, everything is fairly subdued. I expected this to be more powerful - as imperial stouts go, this is not particularly memorable.

Taste is a bit better. Sweet chocolate and coffee gives way to smoke mid-palate, with a long, lasting, but slightly astringent finish. The astringency isn't overwhelming or anything, but I do wish it wasn't there. Not terribly boozy, either, which is a nice feature on an 11% abv brew.

Mouthfeel leaves something to be desired. Again, not bad - but I expect my imperial stouts to be thick and creamy. This one has maybe slightly too much carbonation for my tastes. It seems just a bit thin, something more akin to a big porter rather than an impy stout. **edit** When this beer gets up to near room temperature, it smoothes out a bit and gets a little creamier. So I'll bump it another half-point.

Drinkability is actually totally solid. If I really liked the beer's other aspects, I could definitely see myself putting down a fair bit of this stuff. Easy to drink for the style. But really, I doubt that I would spend the money on a bottle of this again - the market is inundated with better imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 23:26:29 | More by davod23

number1bum

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a few of these at Knightly Spirits in Orlando.

Pours a vicious, thick black color, completely opaque with a slowly rising two plus fingers of dark tan head. Head settles very slowly and retains very well, keeping a thick, creamy head throughout and leaving some beautiful lacing on the sides, falling slowly back to the beer after each sip or swirl. Beautiful.

Smell is exceptionally fruity, with lots of citrus and blackberries. Ton of fruit going on here. There is also a good amount of fudgy chocolate, some molasses, a bit of coffee and some roasted malt. Not a ton of roasted malt for a RIS. A bit of alcohol creeps in as it warms.

Taste is also very fruity with a lot of black currant flavor in particular, as well as some citrus. The malt flavors are bolder than the aromas, though, with more fudgy chocolate and roasted malt than the nose had. Lots of molasses to, and also a bit of smoke and coffee. Some bitterness and roasty flavor lingers into the finish. This is rich and super flavorful, and really tasty.

Mouthfeel is incredibly rich, full bodied and very chewy. This is a meal, or definitely a great dessert. It's slick, creamy and very smooth on the palate.

This is an exceptional beer. No other way to say it. Tons of flavor, very robust, and the alcohol is exceptionally well hidden given the strength. Incredibly fruity as well. I'm glad I picked this up; it is outstanding. Seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 01:18:21 | More by number1bum

capra12

New York

3.73/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed at Capones with Stephy and Speedway Jim.

Appearance: jet black with no head

Smell: Sweet over roasted coffee.

Taste: Opens with dark roasted coffee as a sweet raisin emerges in the middle -end as simcoe /piney hops become more apparent in the middle as the brew warms leaving a piney and malty aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, smooth and coarse at times with minimal carbonation

Drinkability: I would have this again but on another day. I recommend this to someone who wants a coffee open as malts and piney hops finish the brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 03:25:20 | More by capra12

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-Tap

Marshal is a black imperial stout oh yes he is. Black with a oil slickness, thick with no light able to peek through. A nice tight off white head with slimy lacing. Smells of deep roasted malt with chocolate and more malt. Tastes consist of the same with dark sweet chocolate and some coffee with some hops to go with it. Dark fruit with some alcohol but not intruding. Roasted malt with some underlining toffee. This is pretty well bodied and nicely carbed, not dead in the water. A nice slick feel with some bitterness in the end. Glad I got a chance to try this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2009 04:27:06 | More by onix1agr

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's the other day.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. This beer looks pretty impressive, appearing almost viscuous like. The nose on this beer is impressive, with considerable coffee, dark chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Both on the nose and palate, this is really a pretty nice beer. On the palate, the beer is moderately sweet, with chocolate, coffee, stewed prunes and dark fruit. There is also a hint of hoppy bitterness in the finish, which enhances drinkability in this beer. The sweetness and light hoppy bitterness is well balanced in this beer. Mouthfeel is soft and fairly plush, with a fairly long finish. Alcohol is noticeable, but is not obtrusive or intrusive. This is really a pretty nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2009 22:09:06 | More by johnmichaelsen

AgingWarrior

Florida

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter. Pours thick and black, almost like motor oil. About a finger of reddish brown head that dissipated quickly in a nice layer. Lots of thin lace that covered the glass throughout the drink.

S- Roasted malts, chocolate and faint hint of raisins.

T- Very chocolaty taste. The malts hit hard on the first sip, but the hops provide nice balance on the back. For a 11.5% ABV there is no alcohol burn. Very smooth.

M- Full bodied, smooth as silk.... the beer slides down the throat.

D- About as drinkable as an 11.5% abv RIS can get. This another excellent brew from Cigar City.

Highly recommend!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2009 19:21:33 | More by AgingWarrior

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.33/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this one on tap at Capone's. Poured into a Weyerbacher tulip.

A: A barely layered reddish brown head that dissipated quickly. Brew itself was opaque black with web-like lacing.

S: Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, whole milk.

T: Opens sweet raisins, grass. Sweet malts, milk chocolate, prunes, figs, bitter roasted coffee, with a lingering coffee and hop finish.

M: Medium to full bodied and highly carbonated and coarse. Finish lingers with oily mouthfeel and really coated the mouth. The mouthfeel really didn't do it for me here. Too light and too carbonated which was not conducive to the flavors the beer was trying to express.

D: Not the best interpretation of an RIS. The flavors are there, but the way its executed is not. Glad I tried it, but wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2009 03:01:53 | More by SpeedwayJim

cjgator3

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -4.8%
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! 

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 03:57:42 | More by cjgator3

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's...
Appears a jet, midnight black with a thick, dark tan head that slowly fades into a mild cap. Scattered streaks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of coffee, rich, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, freshly cracked grain, raisins, molasses, and a touch of maple.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with a nod to chocolate malts and ripe fruit, which take over.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, syrupy, sticky, sweet, and roasty.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2009 19:57:18 | More by weeare138

mikey711

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle received in a trade from Dstructo.

A: Pitch black. No light can get through this beast. THe head is brown and bubbly and leaves very nice lacing.

S: Smokey/peety is the first thing that I detect then a bit of roast, coffee, and chocolaty sweetness. It smells a bit likt scotch. As it warms some of the smokiness fades more into chocolate.

T: The smokiness still comes through and is very enjoyable but it is much more balance with the roasted malts and bitter chocolate. The bitterness is mostly in the finish.

4: Rich, creamy, bold. The bitterness from the chocolate lingers a bit too long for my liking. No chalkiness and no booziness.

D: I plan on enjoying this one for a long period of time while splitting the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 00:50:17 | More by mikey711

Shaw

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I bought this bottle at the brewery. I'm drinking one now and will try and pick up another one to age.

It's super-black with a deep brown head.

The smell is of roasted malt with hints of molasses and alcohol.

This is a rich RIS, but it's not cloying. Flavors mix to make a typical complex taste.

The body is wonderfully slick.

Overall this is a fine RIS and another good beer from Cigar City. It's a seasonal release, so get one while you can.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 19:00:56 | More by Shaw

TKEbeerman

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a pint glass, this brew proves to be one of the darkest RIS I've had to date. Even when held up to the light, there isn't a hint of anything except the blackest black hole black you can imagine. The head is a dark chocolate, mocha color, not as thick as I'd like it, but still impressive.

S: Dark roasted malt with hints of espresso bean and dark chocolate.

T: The taste is a direct reflection of it's aroma, More super dark roasted malt and as much espresso as you can get with out writing espresso on the bottle. As the beer goes down, dark chocolate notes lick the back your your pallet. The beer finishes with a mild bitterness compared to most RIS'.

M: Smooth, really smooth. Medium bodied, but lacking a tad bit on carbination.

D: As far as RIS' go, this is one of the more drinkable brews I've had. The ABV is very well hidden. I feel like I can tackle another 2 pints and make it through the night.

Overall, to those who really want to try this brew, but can't get a hold of it, I would compare it to a cross between Espresso Yeti and a Stone IRS. Hopefully as cigar city distributes more nation wide, Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout will find a comfortable spot near or around the top rated beers on this site.

***Update***
Just cracked a fresh 2011 bottle. Any carbonation issue noticed in the 2010 version have definitely been addressed this year. CCB stepped up this brew. Marshal Z pours with a billowing black head, and a creamy mouthfeel that I would give a 4.5. Flavor notes of chocolate are also stepped up. Man this is a tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 02:09:52 | More by TKEbeerman

madbrewer9

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Dark brown/black opaque, color of old engine oil.
Thin med brown head, very fine, small bubbles.
Nice persistant lace on the inside of a snifter.

Aroma is alchohol with some hop. Slight notes of dark fruit.

Taste is upfront hop bitterness with chocolate coming through also.
Bittnerness lingers a little too long into the finish.

Body is med full to full. Some creaminess, but overshadowed by bitterness/astringency.

Good beer for end of night. Well constructed, but a little much on hop bitterness. Would not drink whole 22oz bottle in one sitting.
This will improve with aging as the flavors meld.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2009 04:20:06 | More by madbrewer9

bmanning

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased the 750mL bottle at the brewery on 10/15/2009 - freshly bottled.
Pours an oily black with thin brown head and good lacing.
Aromas of bakers chocolate, fudge, coffee, molasses and a hint of cherry and dark fruits.
Taste is heavy on the chocolate with a nice balance with bitter roastiness and toffee aftertaste.
Very oily and thick mouthfeel - not quite to the level of Dark Lord, but close.
Although split 3-ways, I could have polished off a bottle by myself it was so good.
This is a fantastic RIS when it is fresh and will only improve with age.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2009 15:28:44 | More by bmanning

Jw347

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a viscous black hue. Small mocha colored head it defintely has good retention and lace.

S: Aromas of roasty malts, chocolate, and coffee come thru. The smell of the piney hops hide behind it all.

T: Love the color and aroma on this one. The roasted malt has a nice balanced mix with the chocolate and coffee that come thru. The piney/citrus bitterness comes thru on the back end. Overall pretty darn drinkable.

M: Not to heavy but it is full bodied, nice and rich, smooth, and its fair share of carbonation.

D: I really did dig this one, it will only get better with time im sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2009 14:45:31 | More by Jw347

tpd975

Florida

4.08/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Joey and Wayne for opening a bottle to share.

A: Pours a nice dark black hue. Nice mocha head that exhibits good retention and lace.

S: Bold aromas of roasted malt, bitter chocolate, and coffee. Hints of citrus hops hide beneath.

T: Nice rich aroma. Bold roasted malt, bakers chocolate, and earthy slightly acidic coffee. Subtle notes of dark fruit, and a hint of molasses to provide balance. Fairly roasted and earthy.

M: On the lighter side of full bodied, rich, smooth, with great carbonation.

D: Good. I think this is one that will get even better with age.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2009 21:01:36 | More by tpd975

nickfl

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - No head and an oily, utterly black body.

S - Mocha, coffee aroma. Some subtle smoke and caramel with a hint of boozy alcohol.

T - Spicy, medicinal and alcoholic. Very strong roasted grain flavor with a little bit of chocolate as well as some licorice and rosemary.

M - Thick, heavy, oily body, low carbonation, and a sweet, coffee like finish.

D - Drinkability is practically nonexistent; this is a huge, thick mess of a beer. It is obviously complex, but the alcohol is so rough that it obscures the character of the beer. I would guess that this has the potential to turn into something great, but it seems like it will take at least a year or two of aging for this beer to come together.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2009 17:32:46 | More by nickfl

BigMcLargeHuge

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

These notes are based on an immature sample batch before it was aged on roasted cedar and bottle conditioned to near perfection. But at this stage it wasn't perfect. I'll append these notes when a sample of the properly conditioned release is available. It pours murky dark brown and is on the lower end of the carbonation scale (if such a thing exists). The aroma has roasty notes and just a hint of chocolate. It really lacks some depth. The taste is much the same with semi sweet medium to highly roasted malts, faint caramel and just a touch of chocolate. There appears to be little depth or complexity in the flavor as was the case in the aroma and shows the need for proper aging and conditioning. It was tasty like this but just barely more than one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 16:50:56 | More by BigMcLargeHuge