Hunahpu's Imperial Stout - Laird's Apple Brandy Barrel - Cigar City Brewing

iadler

Minnesota

4.54/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A big thanks to supercolter to opening this last night. I had poor luck with successfully getting my growler intact through the mail.

A- Pours a deep black with little carbonation.

S- The base beer is present with notes of dark chocolate, chili, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and roasted malt. Caramelized apples and notes of brandy also present.

T- Taste follows suite with caramel dipped apples, dark chocolate, spicy chili's, cinnamon, vanilla beans, roasted malt, oak and a bit of heat from the brandy.

M- Practically no carbonation with a thick syrupy body. A small amount of heat from the chili's and abv at the end.

O- Was very impressed how the Apple Brandy barrels complimented the base beer. The best Cigar City offering I've had. Wish there was a bit of carbonation, but overall, a fantastic spiced stout and something I've been looking to try for a long time.

Thanks again, Jeff!

Serving type: growler

05-20-2013 05:02:03 | More by iadler

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.79/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Thanks so much to djmichaelk for sending me this long time want.

Appearance is basically motor oil. Thick and black as fuck, with the darkest colored head I think I've ever seen on a beer. Damn.

Jesus, smells like calories. Crazy intense sweet dark malt, chocolate and vanilla, hints of cinnamon.

Tastes like a laundry lists of great imperial stout flavors: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, caramel, whiskey, chili. This is amazing.

Insanely thick. Just insanely thick. And yet I can't stop drinking it.

This is awesome...

9.6/10

Serving type: growler

03-10-2013 00:56:17 | More by AlexFields

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

thanks to Paul

pour was thick rich velvety black. little head.

nose was sweet chocolate and brandy, rich and full of dark fruit.

similar to nose, spices were a bit faint and hidden just beneath the smooth brandy. chocolate and light roasted malts really blended together to make this is way too smooth and easy. the brandy complimented this perfectly.

thick and full with a mild carbonation. sticky sweet finish.

overall. really good, would seek this out. kills the regular version.

Serving type: growler

01-27-2013 00:10:21 | More by hooliganlife

kscaldef

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Thick and viscous. The poster child for motor oil beers.

S: Apples, caramel, and cinnamon. The barrel influences are really obvious in the nose.

T: Chocolate syrup, chili, apple. A bit of a messy combination. The apple and chili together is a little odd. Very sweet, dessert in a glass.

M: Thick, thick, thick. Minimal carbonation.

O: A really unique, one-of-a-kind beer. Worth seeking out, just make sure you've got a few people to split it with, because this is some thick, heavy stuff.

Serving type: growler

01-19-2013 23:31:03 | More by kscaldef

baggio

Sweden

4.4/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to BA Dsgolovin for hooking me up with a growler of this nectar of the gods...

Apperance: Pitch black with a dark, dark, brown head.

Smell: Chocolate, Spices, Barrel, Coffee, Roasted malts.

Taste: Cinnamon, Chili, Chocolate, Brandy, Coffee.

Palate: Supersmooth and perfectly balanced. Medium carbonation. Goes down way to easy considering the abv.

One of the best stouts i've yet to try. World class.

Serving type: growler

12-23-2012 14:42:56 | More by baggio

ehammond1

California

4.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Growler

Thanks for opening this with me, DarthKostrizer!

Black in color with a small dark brown head. As with most imperial stouts from Cigar City, this one is remarkably thick and viscous, as well as shiny. Nobody makes a better looking stout than Cigar City. This leaves dots of stick and an oily sheen on its way down.

A completely transformed aroma, most notably being the lack of chile character that is present in the base beer. That being said, nothing is actually missed, because this smells fantastic. Layers of rich brandy and chocolate stack atop one another, with nearly no unpleasant alcohol fumes. There's some vanilla and wood complementing, but the sweet brandy and chocolate notes combine together remarkably well.

The flavor is similar to the aroma, though more complex. Again, layers of chocolates and sweet, earthy, woody brandy play against one another remarkably well, along with some mild roast, and earth.

Full bodied, creamy, low carbonation. Decadent.

Superb. The best Cigar City beer I've ever had.

Serving type: growler

08-27-2012 17:59:41 | More by ehammond1

oline73

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the growler into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: The beer pours black as night with a finger of really dark brown head that leaves a ring around the pour.

Smell: Really sweet with dark chocolate and dark fruit notes. I'm getting the cinnamon, chillies, and vanilla. The brandy heat is there along with the sweetness.

Taste: Lots of brandy here. The malt and brandy combine to make this one very sweet. Tons of chocolate with pepper spice, mild vanilla, dark fruit, and some alcohol. The finish is peppery and sweet.

Mouthfeel: The body is very thick with tingly carbonation and a finish that is a bit dry.

Overall: I thought this beer was good, but I enjoy the regular version more. Quire complex and I would love to have it again.

Serving type: growler

08-21-2012 21:32:09 | More by oline73

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

4.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

32 oz growler courtesy of Matt. What a kind and generous gesture. Thank you very much, buddy. Split with steepH20 and milwaukeeclassic prior to the pre-Great Taste festivities.

Pours a molten fudgey black forest cake with a fiery crimson ring atop. This beer just looks like it wants to whomp your ass. Left our tasting glasses stained and abused with an oily sheen.

Apple brandy is supple on the nose. Barrel is massive and evident and takes the snap out of some of the pepper of the base. Cinnamon still rides hard along the dark chocolate and vanilla.

Dear god, this is delicious. I was not the biggest fan of Hunahpu's, but this treatment takes the beer to a whole different level. Vanilla ice cream, brandy, fresh taffy apple, fudge, cinnamon, and a beautiful clashing of peppery heat that plays tug-of-war with the barrel imparted flavors. Just a decadent, rich, delicious bomb of flavors that plunders the palate and leaves you wanting more.

Mouthfeel is so smooth and slightly chewy. Carbonation helps keep it lively and saves it from becoming a meaty and sludgy.

Not sure how many times I've truly wanted a 32 oz growler of 11.5% beer all to myself, but this certainly fits the bill. When steep said "this will likely be the best beer I have all weekend" the day before the Great Taste, well that's about all you need to know. Thank you again, Matt!

Serving type: growler

08-11-2012 13:10:51 | More by BarrytheBear

SkiBum22

New York

4.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - As dark as a beer can get. Even the bubbles are the darkest I've ever seen. Pours a thick motor oil consistency. Lots of dark lacing around the glass. A very good looking stout.

S - You definitely get the apple brandy right off the bat. Oak, Vanllla, Chocolate, Maple Syrup with just a hint of peppers.

T - So big and boozy. The apple brandy stands out but in a good way. It definitely hides the peppers a little bit compared to regular Hunahpu but it's a nice added layer of complexity. Huge vanilla, chocolate and maple syrup notes. Also dark fruits and molasses. The apple brandy after taste if awesome.

M - Amazing feel. Creamy and velvety with a little carbonation.

O - This is one of those beers that I checked off that I'd never get to try. So glad to have the opportunity to have this and have it live up to the hype. One of the best beers I've ever had. I gave up a lot to get this but it was worth every penny.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2012 14:45:58 | More by SkiBum22

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 32 oz. growler into a snifter.

Like the regular Hunahpu's, the Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Hunahpu's pours a viscous dark black chocolate color with a barely noticeable tan head around the ring of the glass.

The aroma is full, complex, and somehow elevated beyond the greatness the original Hunahpu's achieves. The brandy is noticeable and seems to gently overlay the other aromas, which are consistent with the regular Hunahpu's: dark chocolate, a bit of espresso, vanilla, with a bit of pepper and a slightly fruity apple presence.

Each sip is nearly perfect. The dark chocolate fudge, roasted malt, and creamy espresso notes all blend amazingly well with a brandy flavor. The middle of the sip contains the zenith of its complexity, with the apple coming through, mixing with oak and vanilla from the barrel, and a bit of residual chocolate flavor. The end of the sip wraps the treat up nicely, leaving a nice brandy flavor in my mouth.

The brandy mellows out the sticky sweetness that the base beer contains, and the barrel definitely lightens up the carbonation a little bit as well. It is creamy and smooth, with the brandy cutting through the thickness of Hunahpu's as well. This beer really just has the perfect body, carbonation, and smoothness that I am looking for.

After tasting Hunahpu's for the first time I did not think there was any way to improve on it, but after having the whiskey and the brandy, I have changed my opinion. This is such an incredible beer.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2012 01:07:22 | More by KickInTheChalice

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.5/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Brought out to do a side by side with the regular...Brandon you're the man.

The beer pours jet black with the same dominating viscosity and residual oil left on the inside of the glass while drinking. The nose has notes of buttery apple brandy, oak, and booze. The taste is sweet, rich, and boozy, but so balanced and smooth it's nuts. The apple isn't as prominent as expected, but there is a slightly tart, apple aftertaste that's an exceptional addition to one of my all time favorite stouts. Excellent beer that's completely worth the acquisition hassle (that I myself didn't have to do).

Serving type: growler

08-04-2012 02:11:22 | More by ThePorterSorter

cosmicevan

New York

4.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

HUMONGOUS thanks to justing for sharing this. who would've guessed that i'd get to taste it again the next day (thanks dave)!!! Enjoyed on 7/27 at Top Hops at a mini tasting with some awesome BAs. Hell of a night and kicked off a wonderful weekend of beer tasting! Ticked from a 2oz pour and then adjusted my thoughts the next day from a larger pour.

a - Has that Hunah look. Coats the glass with a single swirl. No head, but just a gorgeous beer.

s - Smells like Hunah but with a strong raisin and fig. Some booze and some brandy. Basically Hunah with some fruitiness a la sangria.

t - OH WOW! Hunah extreme!!! Figs with apple brandy. You get the peppers on the finish but the fruitiness of the brandy just pushes this amazing beer to the next level. Truly amazing.

m - Smooth and creamy. Wonderful like a milkshake of amazing beer.

o - Wow, what can I say? This beer is simply amazing. On Friday when I sampled it, I said I would do dirty things for this beer...and then the next day, I traveled 2 hours to another tasting (which was before a third tasting in 2 days) and this was a pleasant surprise at the 2nd tasting. I guess the dirty things means dealing with NYC transit in horrendous heat and downpours and then having to leave one of the most epic tastings to go to another tasting. What a weekend!!! Not sure how long these growlers will hold out, but drink them up...as of a few days ago, this was the nectar of the gods.

Serving type: growler

08-01-2012 03:42:34 | More by cosmicevan

Franch

New York

5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is my new favorite beer, hands down.

It came out of a growler and poured sticky and motor oil thick - jet black with a tiny bit of dark brown head. Smells super boozy and brandy heavy. The taste doesn't have any of this heat. Starts out with the chocolate up front with a twinge of brandy, fades into the vanilla and BIGGER chocolate, then wave 3 and 4 come up from the back - HUGE apple brandy followed by just a tiny bit of spicy pepper. as it gets towards room temperature the cinnamon/cayenne comes out, as does the apple note in the brandy.

Thick as hell with just enough carbonation.

Thanks Josh/jbuddle for this trade. ISO: Apple Brandy Huna FT: EVERYTHING

Serving type: growler

07-26-2012 06:12:16 | More by Franch

DarthKostrizer

California

4.93/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks bulbman for the hookup

Look: Black with red circles around the top of the beer. Very little tan head and leaves the glass with a great coating

Smell: The nose of this beer like pretty much everything is just amazing. There is so many layers to the nose I am not sure where to start. The brandy really shines through with some dark chocolate brownies behind that. Traces of vanilla pass by the nose as well as a touch of chili peppers

Taste: Holy fucking bananas batman this is amazing. The beer has this wonderful chocolate covered cherry character brought forth by the brandy and right when you think the beer can't get any better it totally changes bringing forth lots of vanilla and fudge. Then a third wave takes over and you get a nice amount of chili pepper and molasses that just works perfectly together. But wait there's more. The beer finishes with that same chocolate covered cherry flavor.

Mouthfeel: Thick as hell and low to no carbonation(could be more) Oily as hell and you can just feel it coating your insides

Overall: This is the perfect dessert beer and is definitely in my top 3 beers of all time. I am glad that another growler just arrived at my doorstep. Holy hell this beer is almost perfect and I honestly can't see a beer being much better

Serving type: growler

07-25-2012 01:06:30 | More by DarthKostrizer

UCLABrewN84

California

4.38/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler pour at Woodshop 7 held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that fades to nothing. No lacing on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, brandy, and wood. Taste is much the same with a slight alcohol kick and a woody finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that is quite tasty and super easy to drink.

Serving type: growler

07-24-2012 02:02:33 | More by UCLABrewN84

stxSS07

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

32oz swingtop bottled 7/16/12 into a snifter. Split with lookitsmp.

A- Pours with the same road-tar consistency that you find in both Marshal Z and "normal" Hunahpu. Minimal dark-brown head, but that's acceptable for a growler. Leaves big film on the snifter.

S- Leads off with waves of sweetness from the brandy barrel (just a hint of apple-like/dark fruit contained within). I pick up some residual cinnamon and spicy notes that are probably a combination of the barrel and chile remnants. Caramel-coated apple, and fudge/brownie round out the nose. Fantastic.

T- Sweet brandy/cognac notes combine with a hit of spicy cinnamon/chile to really open up the palate on the forefront. Followed up with vanilla, more sweet sugary malts, and huge waves of fudge brownie. Finishes with more amazing vanilla, cinnamon, cognac/brandy, and dry roasted notes/bittersweet chocolate.

M- Incredibly thick and viscous with the perfect amount of carbonation that allows the menagerie of flavors to linger just long enough.

O- Wow. This is one of the top-3 best beers I've ever had. Definitely worthy of high praise.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2012 05:17:29 | More by stxSS07

kevanb

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

32 oz swing top growler. Big thanks to Brian for bringing this over, review is from notes.

This beer pours like thick motor oil, jet black in color, almost no light hues around the rim of the glass and zero head with no lacing. The aroma is amazingly complex, big notes of chocolate, licorice, coffee, booze, dark fruits with a nice amount of smokiness from the peppers. The barrel treatment has really alleviated a lot of the vegetal and oniony notes apparent in the untreated Hunahpu. The flavor is just sublime, rich deep dark chocolate, not too bitter, not too sweet, mild dark fruit, a touch of licorice, roasted coffee, a big kick of brandy and alcohol towards the end that finishes with a beautiful lingering smokiness from the pepper, with just a touch of heat that settles so well on the back of the tongue. There is a lot going on here and it really takes a lot of sips to really pick up on all the details and appreciate the complexity here. The body is spot on for the style, perfectly carbonated while remaining huge, thick, creamy and smooth.

Verdict: By far the best variant of Hunahpu's I've tasted and one of the best uses of a Brandy Barrel on the market. Cigar City really hit a home run with this beer and I am extremely grateful to have tried it.

Serving type: growler

07-18-2012 19:49:56 | More by kevanb

dbossman

Nebraska

4.65/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Thick, oily and black with almost no head and minimal lacing, but this is a big stout and for what it is, this beer looks spectacular

S: Holy crap, this smells amazing: boozy and syrupy with so much maple syrup, brandy, and oak; there is a touch of peppers and vanilla and apple and other dark fruits but mostly this is a syrupy, boozy, vinous glass of awesomeness

T: This beer is amazing; so much booze and what's with the maple syrup flavors? dark fruits, brandy, peppers, vanilla, oak, roasted malts; man oh man, this is a good beer

F: Absolutely perfect mouth feel: creamy, viscous, thick, amazing

O: God, this is good...enough said.

Serving type: growler

07-18-2012 01:53:41 | More by dbossman

MrVonzipper

California

4.98/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Growler thanks to DarthKostrizer
Pours like motor oil. Very oily and viscous. 

Nose is deep and rich of course. Huge. Quite different that regular Huna. Brownie, caramel, molasses and a little bit of fruit. 

Huge range of flavor? Extremely complex and deep. Changes throughout the drink. Rich brandy-like beginning with huge vanilla. Deep dark fruit, chocolate brownie, caramel and molasses. 

Mouthfeel is perfect. Creamy and velvety with little to no carb. 

Overall a completely different beer than Huna, which Is one of my favorite beers, but absolutely amazing. So complex. Amazing. 

Serving type: growler

07-17-2012 03:10:14 | More by MrVonzipper

brystmar

New York

4.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Josh, you are the MAN! A personal whale of mine for the longest time.

Gloops from the bottle as any Zhukov-based brew should. Tremendous roast in the nose with brandy and caramely notes. Lots of complexity here, though I wish it were more pungent.

Taste is marvelously complex with brandy, booze, vanilla, spice, and plenty more that end up dancing atop the delicious stout base. Chiles are mild, where they belong. The trademark Hunahpu's chocolate, vanilla, and chile aftertaste gets a boost from the brandy as it tickles the back of my throat upon swallowing. Ultra-viscous body, as expected, and just amazing.

Ranks among the best stouts I've tasted. I could drink the whole growler!

Serving type: growler

07-16-2012 02:05:12 | More by brystmar

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.63/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks goes out to Jefe73 for hooking me up with this one! Massive thanks for this one Jeff! Shared the same day of arrival with beeruser and funkydelic as well as the crew at The Trappe Door. Served from growler into a Cigar City Hunahpu snifter (proper!). Poured pitch black with a half finger brown head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, apple, acetone, sweet alcohol, vanilla, pepper, and dark fruit. The flavor was of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, big brandy, vanilla, sweet alcohol, dark fruit, subtle spice, and Snickers. It had a heavy feel on the palate with mild carbonation that was very thick and coated your palate completely. Overall this was a really great brew. I have to be honest and let everyone here know that I am a HUGE fan of Apple Brandy particularly from Laird’s, so this brew was right up my alley. And boy did it deliver! I really loved that I was able to pick up on the nice stinging acetone aroma on this brew that I have come to love from Laird’s usual offering. It really made me feel right at home. This brew really made me want to grab a nice cigar and sit down and sip on it just like a good brandy. The barrel absolutely transformed this brew to one of the best stouts I’ve had to date. And yes, you read that right in the flavor, it really tasted like a Snickers bar on the followthrough. Crazy! An absolute must try regardless of what/who you have to do/kill to get your hands on. You won’t regret it!

Serving type: growler

07-10-2012 11:02:42 | More by thagr81us

tewaris

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to Alpar for sharing this rarity, I am pretty sure there's no way I would have been able to land this!

Looks dark, thick and still. Impressive legs upon swirling. Aroma is a blast of vanilla, fruit and some tartness. The roast has managed to stay alive in the taste! There are layers of coconut, vanilla and fruit and this is a very complex and very very smooth beer. I can't help but notice the similarities with Matt, that I remember liking a tad better. But this is pretty f'in good as well.

I think I will have to track down a bottle of the brandy those barrels make assuming it is not too costly!

Serving type: growler

07-06-2012 01:37:29 | More by tewaris

Mora2000

Texas

4.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to bu11zeye for sharing this beer.

The beer pours a black color with a huge brown head. The aroma has a ton of chocolate in it, as well as some roasted malt, oak and brandy. The flavor is similar. Upfront I get a ton of sweet apple brandy notes, with some chocolate and roasted malt coming through as well. I get a hint of spiciness and pepper, but the brandy and chocolate come through the strongest. Thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Awesome.

Serving type: growler

07-04-2012 18:35:02 | More by Mora2000

s1ckboy

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 swing top growlier filled a little over a week ago.

A - Black body, 1/2 finger of dark brown head that forms slowly.

S - Chocolate, dark fruits, a bit of booze.

T - Chocolate, dark fruits, some pepper spice, brandy, hint of apple, cinnamon, wood/oak.

M - Very thick. Low carbonation, very smooth.

This beer is amazing. I've had the bourbon aged version as well, not sure which is better. They're like boozy milkshakes.

Serving type: growler

07-02-2012 23:14:59 | More by s1ckboy

birchstick

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a 32oz swing top with a black color and a thin mocha colored head. Nose is chocolates with hints of apple and charred boozy vanilla. Taste starts off with chocolates that move to a nice cinnamon dry flavor. These move to a really nice apple pie cinnamon flavor and some really sweet chocolate and soy. Really awesome flavor profile. MOuth is full bodied and ends a little dry. Overall, this is a really solid barrel aged offering and would highly recommend it.

Serving type: growler

06-27-2012 04:21:44 | More by birchstick