Beer Review: Hunahpu's Imperial Stout

Reviewing the infamous Hunahpu's Imperial Stout from Cigar City Brewing. Scott's eagle eye saw this beer was on tap within 10 minutes after arriving within the gates of Dark Lord Day gates. We threw down our Tocobaga Red and Blueberry Muffin Brown and dashed for the line just before everyone else did. It was totally worth it.
Score: 95

10 oz tap pour served in a plastic cup and enjoyed at Dark Lord Day (04/28/12) around 10:30 AM. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: The beer is a very deep brown, almost black color. There's some dark chocolaty brown highlights atop the glass when held up to light. Given the "glassware" this beer is served it, it was hard to determine lacing or retention. Basically, the beer looked like motor oil. I plan to crack a bottle of this in the future and will have to revise the score if the appearance is anything more impressive when served in proper glassware out of a bottle and not at a festival. At Dark Lord Day, perhaps because of early morning stout fatigue, this just looked like a pretty good stout (as opposed to something visually impressive). 4/5

Smell: Chocolate and cocoa, cherry, cinnamon, chili peppers and coffee. A little vanilla bean and tobacco. Hint of dark fruit. Nice aromatic medley of spice here. 4.25/5

Taste: Less heat on the tongue than Mexican Cake, but there is still plenty of spice and flavor. Chilli pepper, milk chocolate and a little coffee. Only light heat prickle on the midpalate and back of tongue. Muted vanilla. Plenty of cinnamon throughout. Sweet fig upfront. Layering chilli heat prickliness on the palate. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation. Slightly sweet and creamy mouthfeel. 4.5/5

Overall: Absolutely outstanding imperial stout to have the pleasure to sip and enjoy in line for the Three Floyds' Brewpub. There is a real nice spice and chocolate flavor, and I can see why this beer is so sought after. Hunahpu is much better than Mexican Cake. We also got a glass of the Apple Brandy Zhukov right after the Hunahpu kicked, and that beer absolutely blows this one out of the water.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out unless you are chilli flavor averse. There is less heat than there was with Mexican Cake, but more flavor, synergy and balance.

Pairings: Gingerbread cookies

Cost: $20 for a 750 ml bottle or $10 for a 10 oz pour at Dark Lord Day.