Cigar City Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout - Apple Brandy Barrel-aged

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

Serve in Snifter

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Draft at the brewery. Like all Zhukov’s, this one is as dark and menacing as any beer in the world. It pours absolutely pitch black, impenetrable by light, and is crowned by a moderate head of the darkest brown froth imaginable. Minimal spots of lacing cling to the glass, though a telltale stain lingers. Based in rich, dark chocolate malt, the aroma features a big-time apple and vanilla overtone from the brandy barrel. That, coupled with the sweetness of dark caramel, figs, and dates makes for one sweet smelling brew, with the underlying roast being shoved aside a bit. Flavors feature more dark black chocolate, showing bittersweet in the regard, with ample apple liquor, vanilla, and oak influence. Blackened caramel and dark barley roast play off of one another nicely, and dark fruits seem right at home. The palate is full, bordering on thick, with moderate carbonation and a dense sweetness that seems just a little excessive. As expected, it’s an excellent beer, though I prefer the bourbon and cedar versions ever so slightly.

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.

Pours a black with a rich chocolate head. Aroma of bitter dark roast, baking cocoa, a bit of astringent with a touch of whisky. Flavor is ver much the same with a added brine taste. Mouth feel is heavy body with a nice creamy sensation which is very pleasant. Overall, this is some damned good shit with a bit of alcohol heat added!

tap, pours black with a dark tan head. Vanilla and wood nose with lots of brandy. Very big and roasty beer lots of chocolate and sweet apple finishing with a lingering sweet alcohol.

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.

pitch black with an espresso head. chocolate, brandy, wood, alcohol, and roasted malts. thick on the palate, flavors are chocolate, roasted malts, wood, alcohol, brandy, solid beer.

UPDATED: MAR 20, 2010 The beer pours dark brown to black 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.

Tap at brewery. Thick black pour with a dense dark head. Brandy, spicy, barrel aroma. Lots of chocolate, tobacco and roasted grain in the taste with hints of the barrel. Awesome.

Pours with a large tan head. Body is inky and coats the glass. Aroma is chocolaty, tons of fusel alcohol and a bit of brandy if searched for. Taste is earthy, chocolaty, vanilla bean, alcohol, vinous, wood. Tons of alcohol burn and palate assaulting flavors. Good, but I am not sure I really get anything worth while from the brandy, just burning. I think I might like the regular one better. Creamy carbonation. Full body. Not the most drinkable beer ever made, but solid none the less.

Draft. Medium brown head atop black body with brown edge. Aroma is moderately sweet, chocolate, some Brandy, light roast. Taste is moderately sweet, chocolate, Brandy, light dark fruit. Smooth medium-full body.