Beer Review: Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout

Reviewing the Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout from Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa Bay, Florida.
Score: 93

July 2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 09/12/12.

Appearance: Pours a jet black, ink-like color with almost three fingers of thick brown creamy head that recedes to a ring around the glass. Really good lacing and retention. Excellent looking stout. 4.5/5

Smell: Bittersweet cocoa, milk chocolate, Surly Darkness-esque sweet figs, some burnt roastiness and a cherry-like aroma that reminds me a lot of Black Albert. Hint of berry, a little soy sauce and a touch of toffee too. 4/5

Taste: Bittersweet roasted chocolate and milk chocolate flavor with some cherry on the midpalate and in the finish. Sweet fig, brown sugar, a little soy (less than in the nose), and a nice touch of bitter "burnt" roastiness in the finish to balance the sweet dark fruit flavor and cap off the beer's flavor. The more the beer layers, the more the cherry flavor seems to be "coated" in the chocolate flavors, essentially becoming a chocolate covered cherry flavor with a light "fizziness" to it. The finish is mildly bitter from the lingering roast flavor. Some cherry flavor lingers in the aftertaste too. This beer sort of tastes like a Black Albert Jr. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, low carbonation. Bittersweet and roasty. Has a slight "fizziness" from the cherry flavor on the tongue that gives the flavor a little life. Mildly syrup-like mouthfeel. 4/5

Overall: A delicious stout that is worth seeking out and well-priced for what it delivers.

Recommendation: Fans of Black Albert should seek this out, while fans of this beer should seek out Black Albert.

Pairings: Dark chocolate.

Cost: $15 for a 750 ml bottle.