Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout

Brewed by Cigar City Brewing
Style: Imperial Stout
Tampa, Florida USA

Serve in Snifter

Reviewed way back in 2009 from a bottle that was hand bottled from a growler. This was before the beer was released in bottles. I popped the cap off and was greeted by a nice pffft. I was worried that when I opened this beer that to much air would of gotten to it and ruined the experience. No sir it was perfect. The beer poured thick and black. A huge creamy tan head poured. This beer poured perfect. The smell on this beer is fantastic. Deep chocolate malt, vanilla, smokiness, and spice. Yup spice. A nice amount of cinnamon and chili pepper. It hits the nostrils but doesn’t overwhelm. Not to much of a burn. Definitely a unique aroma that you don’t usually get from a stout. The taste on this beer is just amazing. So much going on. Really complex. The taste happens in waves. Up front is the chocolate and vanilla. It’s sweet and slightly bitter. Next up is the smokiness and roasted malt. Then the spices hit. They just sit on your tongue. When I first sipped this brew the spices weren’t to noticeable. But as you take sip after sip the hotness starts to sit there. Not overwhelming though like some other beers I’ve had. Finally there is a bit of a bitter ending from the hops.

Bottle @ home, courtesy of thebeersommelier. Thanks! 2010 bottle. Initially has a one finger, dark brown head but that quickly dissipates and also has a pitch black appearance. Rich anise, cocoa, mild vanilla, thick chocolate malty aroma. Thick, somewhat syrupy mouth feel. Initially, there’s a very rich cocoa, mild vanilla, woody, dark chocolate malty flavor that then has more of the creaminess and peppers on the finish. There’s a thick coating on my tongue after drinking this. Rich cocoa, light anise, mild vanilla aftertaste. This sucker is thicker is thicker than almost any other beer I’ve ever had. Not sure if the peppers faded or if they’re naturally not too pervasive, but they are a nice addition to the finish. Tasty beer for sure.

750 mL bottle shared at the January 2012 Santa Cruz tasting at Sante Adairius. Not sure of the year but this is from the first bottling of the beer. Deep black pour with that signature Cigar City imperial stout head. Just a ridiculous shade of neon brown. Boozy roasty aroma, robust chocolate, fresh coffee, light iodine. Massive dark chocolate flavor, light smokiness, cocoa, and a mild vanilla bean note. The chilies are pretty subdued at this point but they still impart a bit of flavor without any heat. Viscous heavy bitter mouthfeel, not boozy. Nice glass-staining legs. Killer beer.

Literally my favorite drink, the aroma, head, taste aftertaste, everything is just magnificent

2011 bottle opened Dec 29 for the birth if my first nephew. The aging time was perfect (10 months) poured into a CCB snifter, jet black with a milk chocolate head, the nose gave off the vanilla, coffee, and cinnamon. The flavors set off the same with some smoke and then of course the chili lends a slight tingle at the end. This beer is extremely complex yet balanced as well.

Bottled, thanks baggio! Very black, small brown head. Heavy on cocoa and coconut. Sweet with clean mouthfeel and less full body than anticipated. Flavours of milk chocolate, vanilla and treacle. A slight chili tingle in the finish. The aggressive Marshal Zhukov istamed by the added spices, but the hard mouthfeel is still there.

Bottle, 2011 vintage. Crazy looking pour! Black, viscous, with an ultra thick, creamy head. Chocolate, peppers, vanilla in the aroma. Lots going on in this beer, but it still manages to be so balanced and mellow. Medium to heavy sweet, full mouthfeel. Taste of chocolate and coffee, fresh peppers, vanilla, cinnamon in the background. I’m impressed. Good stuff.

Several draft samples at GABF 2011. Nose of chocolate, vanilla, light smoke, and peppers. Black with a small cinnamon tan head. Flavor is chocolate, light smoke, nice pepperiness, cinnamon, and vanilla.