Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout - Brandy Barrel Aged - Cigar City Brewing

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

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

On-tap, served in a snifter

This bad boy sits a sinister ink black in the glass. A true motor oil type of body when swirled. A thin dark khaki cap rises and falls quickly, leaving some sporadic bubbles along the edges. The nose is extremely bold and robust. Huge roasted malt, brandy, oak, molasses, licorice, vanilla, and dark Belgian chocolate. On the palate, it follows the nose. Huge roast notes up front, before sticky toffee, licorice, and molasses through the middle. Brandy notes all over the place with vanilla and chocolate presenting in the finish. Whoa boy. I can't get over just how bold this beer is. I wasn't the biggest fan of the regular Zhukov but this beer is phenomenal. I got a huge char presence in the regular Zhukov that seems to be much more subdued and tolerable in this guy. Definitely one of the most in your face beers I have ever had. Big, thick, full body with low carbonation. Lingering roast and brandy just never seems to go away.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2012 20:28:06 | More by ColForbinBC

Tobe

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

Pours a very deep black with a tan head. The head was a litle undersized but did leave a nice degree of lacing around the glass.

Nice strong aroma of alcohol (in this case brandy) with some other notes of chocolate and coffee. The flavor is very spot on to the aroma. A very big beer where the alcohol is the main spotlight. Chocolate does come across but mostly in the finish. The mouthfeel is thick and a little oily and big alcohol.

This was an amazing beer that developed a lot of complexity and if bottled would only have gotten better. If you see this beer order it right away, but be warned you will be sipping on it for a bit.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2012 21:39:10 | More by Tobe

abrand

Illinois

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

On tap from dixie cup

Pours jet black with a very small ebony head that leaves no retention. No visibility through the pour. Smells of sweetness with hints of coffee. Taste is huge. Super sweet up front with hints of fruit and a nice bitter coffee centered backbone. Mouthfeel is quite viscous. Overall this is amazing. So glad I got to try this.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2012 12:18:43 | More by abrand

macrosmatic

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes. Had on-tap at the release at CCB tasting room. Poured into a snifter.

A: Jet black with a small tan head. No visible carbonation. Don't know where to put observations about consistency, but this is thick and sticky to the touch.

S: Brandy, alcohol, chocolate, coffee.

T: Everything you would expect from the aroma, but has some sweet caramely flavor also.

M: Thick, sweet, sticky. Alcohol presence is high, punch you in the mouth high.

O: Excellent, and I think the barrel aging helps this beer develop more (and interesting) characteristics. Certainly is a sipping beer!

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 03:54:42 | More by macrosmatic

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap at devils den

Pours an inky blackness with a faint, almost non-existent head. Ring of tanned film sits on top, leaving a few spots of lacing.

A crushing barrel character erupts from the nose, jam-packed with brandy, vanilla and booze. Hints of chocolate and dark malt sweetness with plenty of warmth. Oaky and warm with some roastyness.

Pretty aggressive up front with brandy, oak and hints of leather. Chocolate and vanilla bleed through the booze, blending well with the warmth. Tremendously burly backbone with thick layers of roasted dark malt. Finishes with a nice spike of brandy barrel and alcohol.

Insanely thick body - like one of the thicker beers I've ever had. Milder carbonation, sticky and heavy on the tongue. This is a tasty spin on Zhukov's - I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2012 00:59:28 | More by xnicknj

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Devil's Den for their 4th annual Bella Vista beer bash for beer week. In a Tulip glass.

Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout - Brandy Barrel Aged looks very black. It's a stout so that much is apparent. The body is thick as hell. It basically looks like Dark Lord 08 with the oil like appearance and just goop, but not quite to that DL level. Not much foam. The smell is very roasty, with a whole lot of barrel character. Some smoke with chocolate. I cant help but to pick up some alcohol with warming. Taste is very barrel forward with a nice roasty finish with some smoke and char, wood, apple brandy. Flavorful and big in body. This one is just thick with minimal carbonation. A bit hot and the barrel sticks around in the finish. This is a big beer for big people so 5oz's would have been plenty for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 16:16:49 | More by onix1agr

Treebs

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the apple brandy barrel aged. Had on tap at DLD.

A: Pours incredibly thick and viscous. No head or lace, but it leaves massive stick and stains as I drank this.

S: Apple brandy, some oak. Unsweetened chocolate, and roasted malts.

T: The taste gets elevated to another level. Delicious milk chocolate, caramel, and the apple brandy all mix together wonderfully. There is a touch of smokey char and roasted malts on the finish.

M: Thick and viscous. Heavy bodied with some chew, the carbonation is pretty low. It just coats your entire mouth and wont go way.

O: Really, really good. I wish this was bottled. I'd trade a lot for it. I'm really glad that the barrel aging didn't thin out the base beer because the thickness of MZ is one of the reasons why I liked it so much. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 14:35:57 | More by Treebs

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on tap @ DLD

jet black, thick, oily, with a bit of cream colored head.

on the nose, sweet fruity bourbon and roasted malt.

flavor was bold all around. some charry roasted malt. brandy was a bit heavy, but very fruit like. added a whole level of flavor to this stout. a bit sweet, some booze.

fairly smooth, very thick, some burn and bite from booze.

very good, not sure i could drink 12oz's in less than an hour though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 15:29:01 | More by hooliganlife

Avagadro

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This review has been transcribed from notes taken at the 2011 Hunahpu release.

A: Incredibly viscous, deep black, and topped off with a dark chocolate head.

S: Great bouquet, saturated with chocolate, apples, and creme brulee.

T: Raisin, brown sugar, and rum are delicately blended in this brew.

M: Medium body is accented by an oily texture and a sticky finish.

O: Not as good as the Four Roses Zhukov, but tasty nonetheless. Definitely worth a shot if you're ever able to find the stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2011 21:25:11 | More by Avagadro

calcio360jrd

Florida

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Coffee District for Cigar City/TBC takeover night.

This was by far the hit of the evening, the keg was tapped out barely an hour after firt pour. Pour was black as night and thick as hell when coming from the tap. The smell was intoxicating, u got a real hit of the apple brandy barrel aging right at the beginning. The taste was just as wonderful, the complex flavors of a RIStoudt along with the barrel aging were fantastic on the palette. Glad i got 2 pours before the keg kicked. Recommend this to anybody if you get the chance to try it, fantastic!

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2011 14:56:11 | More by calcio360jrd

jrallen34

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Hunahpu release... A midnight black body, no differences noted than the other variants. A dark tan head, not much retention, a little streaky lace... The nose on this is pretty outstanding. The Laird Apply Brandy shows off strongly, very sweet, dark fruits, a little wood. A touch hot but I like it... The taste is again dominated by the apple brandy, so much so that a lot of the base beer is gone. However, in the middle of the taste is an almost perfect apple brandy note which you get the liquor as a beer, so complex right there. However, the rest of the sip is a lot of alcohol.

I like this a lot, slightly less than the 4 Roses, still very good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 19:39:17 | More by jrallen34

Sean9689

Illinois

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

On-tap at 2nd Annual Hunahpu's Release.

A - Pours back, small tan head which dissipates to some film on top and some spotty lacing along the sides. Not much trace left of the head and it's basically a black hole in a glass.

S - Huge Laird's Apple Brandy right up front. Way more then the Laird's Hunahpu's that I've previously ticked. The Brandy really overpowers the base beer. Some chocolate and oak notes, but man, the alcohol is very evident here.

T - Once again, a huge Laird's Apple Brady bomb with some Zhukov follow behind. I think this one was a little too hot up front for me to really enjoy as much as the 4 Roses version.

M - Full, rich and thick, light carbonation (if any), creamy/oak finish.

D - This one was a little to hot for me, although others around me appreciated the Apple Brandy notes more then I did. I liked it, jus did love it. Would try again...I mean, will. Growler on the way!

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 00:21:44 | More by Sean9689

CGMLS3

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this at at Hunahpu day 2011.

A: Black! Similar the other Zhukov's. Small, dark brown head, that fades rather quickly.

S: Big notes of whiskey, vanilla and apple, with some coffee and chocolate. Wow was the first impression!

T: You get hit with the roasted malt, coffee then a hint of chocolate. Finishes with a hint of vanilla, apple and bourbon.

M: Thick, heavy body. Good carbonation.

Overall impression: Had this along with the 4 Roses Zhurkov at Hunahpu Day. This is definitely a good BA of a great imperial stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 22:20:34 | More by CGMLS3

shand

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap at Hunahpu's Day 2011.

Pours a jet black with a nice deep, thick head that retaines amazingly all the way through the sample. Looks awesome. The smell is some smooth chocolate, apple Jolly Ranchers (in a good way), a bit of coffee and vanilla, and some roastiness. The taste was very good! Plenty of green apple and vanilla from the barrel aging process, and some very substantial chocolate. Roastiness is a little more subdued, but still a huge part of this beer's character. A great choice of barrel to age this on.

The mouthfeel is amazing, it's super thick and very creamy for a barrel aged beer. I savored every sip. The drinkability is surprisingly good for the ABV and thickness, my pour didn't last very long. Ah, what a day Hunahpu's Day was! I may not have gone nuts on the endless arrays of tantalizing taps because I had to unfortunately drive home after getting my bottles, but any day I have four A+ brews in a row is a good day for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 02:36:48 | More by shand

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. On tap at the Hunahpu's release.

Pours near black with a thin mocha head. Quickly dissipates. The aroma is super strong and nicely complex. Great aromas of boozy brandy, chocolate, oak, vanilla, dark roasted malts, caramel, and dark fruits. The taste is very, very good as well but doesn't retain as much complexity as the nose and falls a bit with some excess booze. The full is thick and heavy and not horribly boozy. Drinks very well; I preferred this to the bourbon version.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 23:14:34 | More by Thorpe429

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at the Cigar City taproom. This was dark brown/black, completely opaque, with very little head (probably due to the 11.5% ABV). Initially sweet, after the first whiff I can tell that the beer has strong brandy notes. Reminds me of several great barrel aged beer aromas (OADL, 110K+OT I tried at 2009 DLD).

The beer was delicious and a little less boozy than expected, sweet and rich, roasted malts and a little smoke. Thicker than your usual barrel aged beer, I'd love to try the standard Marshal Zhukov's sometime to see how thick it is. Creamy and mouthcoating, lovely.

This was hands down the best beer I tried at CC, better than Hunahpu's (also on tap), just an extremely well made beer aged to what seemed like perfection in a brandy barrel. Also, one of the best names for an RIS that I've heard, nearly as good a name as Old Rasputin.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2010 02:03:16 | More by TurdFurgison

Gtreid

Florida

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

Special tap at CCB for Craft beer week. Poured into a snifter.

A: Black as night. The pour dropped a nickel size dark brown head that faded pretty quickly, left very little lace, but vigourously reappears when swirlled.

A: Big roasted malt, chocolate, earthy hops, and big brandy notes. Notes of vanilla, grass, oak, and toffee. As the brew warms I also get a hefty dose of alcohol.

T: Much of the same. Huge roasted malt and chocolate. The brandy plays very well with the Zuchovs. Tasty notes of vanilla, and toffee, with slight coffee and earth.

M: Thick and viscous. Heavy body, low levels of carbonation.

D and overall impression: Drinkability is ok. Overall, this one gets a little boozy as it warms, but don't get me wrong, this is one fine brew. The brandy barrels do wonders for the CCB stouts. And although this one isn't as good as the BA Hunahpu, it still is right up there. Skal.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2010 19:44:56 | More by Gtreid

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

G - Cigar City snifter

A - Evil crude with a nearly black head that lasts forever. The look of this brew is only rivaled by Hunahpu; it is the most ridiculous, sinister and striking brew you could ever see.

S - Ridiculously decadent. Strong everything: booze, coffee, cocoa, wood, vanilla. It smells ominous or dangerous, which it is.

T - This delicious barrel treatment of the Marshal Zhukov RIS is just ridiculous beyond description. The base brew is really enhanced, revealing serious layers of added complexity. Boozy, of course, but not crass; the heavy impressions are subdued and as a result the flavor is more focused on very light and delicate flavors such as suggestions of sweet Fuji apples and crème Brulee. The heavy stuff is also there, the bitter cocoa, the espresso and chicory, the tobacco and charred wood, but it is so beautifully tempered by the barrel treatment. Outstanding.

M - The ultimate in viscosity. This stuff will stain your teeth, it is so intense.

D - If you are even in a position to question its drinkability, then you are in the right place my friend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2010 22:29:47 | More by ktrillionaire

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark chcolate brown color with lighter golden brown edges and a two finger head that slowly fades into a lasting cap that leaves sporadc lacing.

Sweet brandy aroma with light fruit notes, alcohol and leathery malt. Hints of toffee, caramel, leather and dark fruit, especially raisin, plum, date and fig.

Slightly chewy medium body with tight carbonation and slight oxidization.  Lots of earthy leathery malt with caramel, toffee, nut, dark fruit notes and slight alcohol wamth.  Slightly spicy and buttery with a slight dry finish.  Sweet but alcohol is relatively well masked.    

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 02:02:42 | More by corby112

Maltzilla

Florida

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

Tried this fantastic treat at the Hunahpu's Release Party (CCB). The aroma was nice and mellow but very full . . . lot of subtleties. Noticed vanilla, dark fruit, some alcohol and butterscotch right up front on the nose. Upon tasting, a lot of these aromas were confirmed, specially got the vanilla (more so, IMO, than in the bourbon version) right up front. Also got some oak and the heat from the alcohol intensified a bit , but did not overpower or undermine the flavor. This is the perfect beer to sip with a good cigar on a cool evening.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2010 02:36:15 | More by Maltzilla

Mora2000

Texas

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark brown to black color with a brown head. The aroma is oak with some roasted malt, soy sauce and chocolate. The flavor is oak, smoke, chocolate and soy. Oily, thick mouthfeel and low carbonation. Really happy I got to try this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2010 22:44:24 | More by Mora2000

tpd975

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Hunahpus release.

A: It's a Cigar City stout. Dark Evil and awesome when it comes to appearence.

S: Wonderful barrel aromas right from the start. Tons of brandy and woody oak. Very bold roast boardering on char. Notes of espresso and deep earthy chocolate.

T: Very much like the aroma but the barrel helps this one really stand out. Very roasted with strong chocolate. Hints of earthy char and coffee. Big big barrel notes but in such a good way. Oak and pure Brandy goodness.

M: Very full in body, smooth rich, great.

D: About as drinkable or should I say sippable as a beer this big can be.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2010 13:56:06 | More by tpd975

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a sluggish black with almost no carbonation leaving a dirty white ring on the adge with light lacing

S: Rich cocoa, a big whiff of brandy, wood Earthiness and blend of dark fruits and coffee beans

T: Starts with a big deep chocolate, roastiness and brandy plus some old wood and Earthiness which slowly transitions to coffee, dark fruit with the brandy, smokey leather and cocoa still sitting ont he palate. The finish is a bit sweet, rather dry with some light bitterness and booze from like acetone or something

M: Big and thick but flat as a board

O: Good despite being super low on carbonation, the odd booziness.

Serving type: growler

08-07-2012 17:46:39 | More by barleywinefiend

drabmuh

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler shared by Brad, thanks! Beer is black with nearly no head, no lacing, low retention and low carbonation.

Aroma is sweet, brandy, nice roast.

Beer is medium in body and really sweet with the liquor and the malt on the front palate. The beer falls a little flat at the end but overall it is an excellent barrel aged stout. I'd have this again.

Serving type: growler

06-19-2012 14:55:18 | More by drabmuh

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad.

The beer is black with a thin, oily beige head that leaves an oily residue on the glass. The aroma offers a strong brandy presence, along with oak and roast notes. Big, bold flavor. Thick body with low carbonation. Lots of brandy presence. Palate coating. Very tasty.

Serving type: growler

06-09-2012 23:09:34 | More by Huhzubendah