Samuel Smith's Yorkshire Stingo - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

chinchill

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured hazy, dark amber with an excellent head. The head is durable but left little lacing. Some odd orange particles suspended in the beer.

Aroma: features fruit, grains and biscuit plus some oak barrel.

Taste: ABV partly hidden; oak aging is quite apparent.

M: medium body; medium+ carbonation; smooth; almost no sign of the alcohol.

O: a refined strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 22:09:21 | More by chinchill

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.94/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - cloudy amber, thin head of light tan that manages just a partial cover after a bit of setup.

Aroma - apple cider aroma but lighter and less sweet. The fruitiness is also different with more of a barleywine caramel citrus lean. Kind of disappears after setup.

Taste - malty, caramel and sweet graininess. A balancing nip of bitterness and oak on the swallow, some noticeable and complementary abv warmth. A fine finish of warmth and wood, toasty malt and fading, drying light bitterness.

Mouthfeel - an element of smoothness somewhat interrupted by the crsipness. Medium-plus on the body.

Overall - a nice evening sipper, has as touch of elegance to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 03:08:22 | More by brewdlyhooked13

UCLABrewN84

California

4.01/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brewed in 2011.

Pours a hazy dark reddish-orange with a foamy khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small patches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, toffee, and candied fruit aromas. There is also a bit of a sour aroma that becomes more noticeable as the beer warms up. Taste is much the same with a woody flavor and an alcohol kick on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty but has a better smell in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:21:54 | More by UCLABrewN84

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.91/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Portion of a 500ml bottle into a Hunahpu's snifter. From notes.

A: Pours a dark copper color. The head is a one finger cream shade.

S: There's a lot of sweet caramel and brown sugar which I half expected. What really struck me is the strong vanilla qualities the aroma also provides.

T: This has a lot of vanilla to open the flavor profile. After a bit, raisin/caramel sweetness gives way to a balanced, dry mineral finish. Really pleasant, and complex to boot.

M: I really like the creaminess of this one. The body is of medium texture, and it coats the tongue smoothly.

O: This had a level of richness to it that many of the imperial stouts I had that day lacked. It's not super easy to drink, and it's kind of pricey, but it's a great one to savor slowly.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 08:38:23 | More by ThisWangsChung

sethcroisant

Nebraska

4.7/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 2.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A- unimpressive half-finger of head that quickly dissipates. hardly any lacing. i poured the 20 oz into two different bottles, so that also contributed to the lackluster appearance.

S- wow! VERY sweet with all kinds of dark fruit and caramel scents. if it's possible for a beer to smell dense, this is it. also some hints of bread mixed in. very faint herbal hops in the background.

M- almost syrupy and incredibly chewy. somewhat low carbonation, but it's easy to ignore with the other magnificent textures.

T- a little puckering up front from a combination of the alcohol, hops and overall dryness. flavors of fresh baked bread are aggressive. candy-like caramel sweetness follows towards the end.

O- phenomenal blend of flavors. pretty expensive, but it's a nice treat to have on special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 02:37:24 | More by sethcroisant

farrago

New Jersey

3.99/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Be careful with the pour or you will get half a glass of frothy, loosely knit foam, mostly medium to large bubbles which is sort of unusual for its size, retention is excellent and it simmers down at a slow pace, as a result, though, the lacing is close to nonexistent, first because there’s no space, second because the head is glued together so tightly. The liquid is a cloudy copper red, hard to see any bubbles, captures light well, particularly as it takes on a more orange rust to clay cast near the glass sides. The nose is infused with vanillin oak and toffee, molasses notes, pralines and figs, just short of dates, fruitcake, lightly boozy, not overly roasted and actually comes out on the demure side, not short but compact. In the mouth it’s close to full-bodied and super creamy in texture, rises to coat every pore in your mouth. That noted, not too carbonated and there’s ample opportunity for the vanilla, caramel, caramelized brown sugar and maple syrup to settle in. Not that sweet, indeed, finishes on the dry side. Stays in the range of fig, golden raisin, dried apples with a hint of orange peel. No perceptible alcoholic heat. Tactful without impairing your ability to simply enjoy it. (Brewed in 2011)

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 02:20:33 | More by farrago

jjchristiano

New Jersey

4.55/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I read a review on this beer in Draft magazine. And the rating system at the Total Wine store gave this beer a perfect 100 rating.
Thought it was outstanding and a great compliment to the stuffed lobster dinner I was having.
But it did remind me of some of the regional offerings like the Yard's Revolution Series or the Harpoon Leviathan. Big alcohol and malty character. This is a style I really enjoy especially when I'm sipping just one from my oversive Duvel tulip with a great meal.
It was somewhat expensive at $12 for a 550ml bottle so I don't know that I'll be buying regularly but I'm glad I treated myself to one tonight for my birthday.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 02:48:01 | More by jjchristiano

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

500mL bottle into tulip. brewed in 2011.

A: a dark orange, murky. almost more of a brown. slightly off-white head is very frothy. retention is great. tons of frothy lacing left behind.

S: definitely oaky. slightly vinous. there are some undertones of acidity. sweetness as well. you can tell this thing has been aged on some oak that wasn't cleaned out. I appreciate the added layer of depth.

T: sweet to start. almost sour. sweet notes are slightly nutty, chestnuts, as well as fruity, prunes. similar to the nose, there is a slight acidity. a little cidery. apples. woody. a little bit of heat towards the finish but it is very minor. finish is nutty and lingers long after the sip is gone.

M: carbonization is solid. medium/full bodied.

D: a little surprised that this body isn't a bit fuller, however still plenty of aroma and flavor. carb is spot on, nicely done with the bottle conditioning. a nice beer, but I was expecting a little more. if I went into it without any expectations I would have been better off.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 06:29:46 | More by Jimmys

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 1/28/2011. Pours fairly clear reddish brown color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of raisin, prune, toast, toffee, caramel, pear, apple, brown sugar, bread, oak, earth, and light herbal. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity. Taste of raisin, caramel, toast, toffee, pear, apple, molasses, bread, light oak, light clove, pepper, earth, and herbal spiciness. Slight bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark and light fruits, caramel, molasses, toast, toffee, earth, clove, light oak, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice malt complexity and balance with the light hop spiciness; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and slightly sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with hardly any warming noticed at all after the finish. Overall this is an excellent English strong ale. Very nice amount of flavor complexity and balance; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering as expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:19:02 | More by superspak

gr0g

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky reddish brown, topped with a two finger head of light tan foam. Head retention is good, and there's a smattering of lacing. Rich caramel, toffee, and candy apple in the aroma. Oak notes from the cask aging are apparent, along with yeast and a touch of fusel alcohol.

The flavor is malty-sweet, but not overly so, as hop bitterness picks up mid-palate to balance things out. A generous amount of woody vanilla from the oak cask aging. Fruity esters of ripe pear and fig. Medium mouthfeel and soft carbonation, maybe a bit too soft. However, this is very quaffable for a 9% ABV ale. Alcohol is apparent but never intrudes into the flavor as an overt solvent character.

Yorkshire Stingo possesses all the best characteristics of a classic English winter warmer, only much more malty and with a smooth, oaky character. It isn't cheap, but it's well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:40:21 | More by gr0g

FLima

Brazil

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brown red color beer that made two fingers of head with a medium retention.
Very nice aroma of caramels, fruits, oak cherry aging type and licorice.
Sweet malty taste with caramels, wood and fruits, with hints of plum, green apple and licorice. Alcohol has a warming effect, though a bit boozed.
Aftertaste is dry and warming. Full body with light to medium carbonation with small bubbles.
Very well balanced, complex and smooth flavor with a silky feeling while going down. Great for cold weather, felt nice when I had it during a cold day in trip to London.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 20:15:45 | More by FLima

beergoot

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Copper-red body and a lingering, thin, off-white head. A sweetly mellow scent; sweetbread; fruity; cherries and plums; licorice. Rich, malt flavor; boozy taste and good dosage of hop bitterness. Medium bodied; rich and tart.

An interesting strong ale. Definitely heavy on the alcohol flavor but with an equally bold malt and hop bitterness character. Not for the faint of heart, but a must try for lovers of big, bold ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 00:25:48 | More by beergoot

stcules

Italy

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cherry red color, clean and bright- Beige foam, creamy, persistent.
In the smell at the beginning, orange and vanilla, then malt, woody notes and fruitinees (raisin, candy fruit).
Same notes in the taste, raisin, blueberry. Then a good maltiness.
Panettone. Toffee notes, light caramel.
The fruity notes grow bigger while the beer warms, raisin over all. Then orange, wood, vanilla.
Full, complex, interesting.With a long warm aftertaste, malty, toffee, a alcohol warming.
Good.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 20:20:19 | More by stcules

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I could have sworn this was an old ale. I'm not sure why it's listed as an English Strong ale. It certainly tastes like an old ale and was barrel aged for a year. The primary difference I noticed was that it was the best old ale I had ever tasted. This thing was like a meal in a glass, which was perfect because I was HUNGRY at the time. Each sip was like the next bite into a hamburger. It was quite sweet, with flavours of rotting fruits, but it was also malty and earthy at the same time, but not in a sweet Belgian brew sort of way. It was a tiny bit sour like someone added a few drops of warcestershire sauce into the beer and had an umami flavour to it as well. These are really what distinguished it as tasting meal-like. It could easily vie for the position of the most well-balanced high-alcohol sweet beer that I've ever had. Though Boulevard's dark truth and probably a couple others would still provide stiff competition. This beer definitely exceeded my expectations. I knew it must be good, but it was absolutely astounding. Only 11 oz of it really made my night.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 01:21:36 | More by ElCommodoro

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have has this bottle in the cellar for about 2 years and the extra age has really created a wondrous beer that is rounded yet full of flavour. The young Stingo was a bit scattered IMO but I loved this bottle. The nose is full of hops and malt but you can tell that a British brewer made it rather than the new world hops often found in North American barley wines. The finish is long and very smooth but I never felt a thinness of mouthfeel in this beer. With Thomas Hardy no longer made this might be my favourite British barley wine

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 23:01:35 | More by canucklehead

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

550 ml bottle. Bought at Neds for $13. Brewed 2009, so its a 2010 release.

Appearance: Light brown amber with some chill haze. Off white head with nice retention. Some very attractive lacing with sips, but it doesnt stick.

Smell: Rummy raisins, sweet bread, toffee, light toast.

Taste: Dark fruit, bready malt is sweet and slightly toasted. Booze is not hidden, but not the least bit hot. A little port-like. Some slightly dry oaky notes in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Its just a little thin feeling. The carbonation seems appropriate, but the body could be a little bigger.

Overall: I like this beer. This aged one is better than fresh.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 00:43:25 | More by rapidsequence

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on October 4, 2012.

It pours a medium to dark amber with a bottle-conditioned cloudiness and a moderate hjead that settles a little but sticks around.

On the nose there is black licorice in with that toffee and caramel with a very notable woody character thanks to the oak casks I imagine and I am not imagining it.

The body is creamy and full.

The taste is powerful with a barley-malted sweetness almost akin to a barleywine toward the front followed by a short-lived lingering finish. This tastes good now but it is one of those beers I should buy now and stash it away for a year or so and try it then.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 23:19:29 | More by puboflyons

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a dark, deep, ruby-amber coloring with a thin, off-white, ring of film. Aromas of rich, dark toffee, honey sweetness, old world fruits (fig and date foremost), and some earthy overtones. Flavors are bold and forward on a surprisingly thin body. Roasty first and foremost, with a toffee underlay that supports the earthy, old world fruit sweetness. Fig, raisin, and date all impart a subtle blending of rich and sweet that is kept balanced by the clean, thin body. Oaky highlights also add a rustic feel to the palate. Smooth, rich, sweet aftertaste blending all of the fruit and earth characteristics into a nice, balanced bouquet. Smooth, clean finish that is light and only slightly lingering.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 00:23:45 | More by GarthDanielson

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours deep amber with a limited head. No lace.

Toffee, rich malt, some raisin bread, overripe fruit in the nose.

Rich, a bit buttery, some nice sweet bread, bruised fruit, toffee, sweet malt, alcohol, moderate bitterness. Nice balance, finishes a little boozy, a little sweet, a little bitter.

Full body, hint of acid.

Great cool weather sipping beer. 8% seemed like more, but it was most welcoming.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 00:05:02 | More by OtherShoe2

sukwonee

Washington

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark reddish brown with two finger frothy head that retains. Good amount of lacing.

S: Dark fruits (figs), some vinegar like aroma, malt.

T: Dark fruits, booziness, malt, sweetness, apples, raisin, and honey (yes I taste honey).

M: Good amount of carbonation. Quite thick.

O: It's nice, but nothing outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 03:12:29 | More by sukwonee

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Given that I was in a bar in Morgantown West Virginia (Jay's), I was positively excited to see this beer available (even at $18 a pop).

The beer pours a striking reddish amber color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is very intriguing in this beer, as I pick up a strong, vinuous overtone to this beer, that marries well with the toffee and vanilla I'm picking up as well. The beer is every bit as good on the palate, with the vinuous flavor component helping to counter the sweet richness one gets in this beer. Otherwise, there is a strong presence of vanilla, caramel and toffee that is impressive and easy to appreciate. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, with a long, sweet, very rich finish. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell it's up there, and it wears on you a bit with all the sweetness.

A very rich beer, one that is best enjoyed in small doses. It took me the better part of hour to work through my bottle, and even then, I ended up leaving 3 or 4 ounces in my glass.... just too much of a good thing for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 23:48:10 | More by johnmichaelsen

allouez86

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This bottle was brewed in 2010, poured into my Duvel Tulip.

Pours a dark amber/red with a small off-white head, appropriate size head for a beer of this style and age.

Smell is definitely caramel and dark fruits. Getting a nice sour apple and plum.

Taste is a little more forward with the dark fruits, the sour apple not as apparent as it was in the nose. Very slight hop bitterness, almost has that faded hop taste that comes with a beer of this age, one of my favorite characters in this style. Caramel and toffee is also finding their way in there, although only slightly. Smallest bit of oxidation.

Mouthfeel is nice, not too thin and definitely not heavy or sticky.

Overall this has become one of my new favorites. Just picked up my 5th and 6th bottle of it this afternoon. This beer tastes like it has the legs to last a couple more years and still improve. Would definitely recommend picking up a bottle or 6 of these. Its typical Samuel Smith quality and price.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 23:45:17 | More by allouez86

davey101

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage I assume. 550ml bottle into a pint glass. $16/bottle bar price...

A - Very dark brown body, almost bordering on black/red. Nice and creamy two finger head with nice lacing.

S - Toffee, dark fruits, caramel, and some spiced bread. A little oaky with some vanilla. Really smooth aroma.

T - Similar to the nose. Christmas spices, bread, toffee and caramel, raisins. Really smooth oak tannin finish. Not overly complex but very tasty. Somewhat chewy and creamy medium bodied mouth feel.

O - Not as spectacular as I was expecting, but very well made and quite delicious on a cold evening. My friend thought it was amazing though.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 02:43:10 | More by davey101

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Chestnut brown with 1/2" tan coloured head.

S: Caramel malt, figs, cherries, vanilla and oak.

T: Toffee, caramel, oak, figs, roasted malt, as well as a certain bitterness from pine hop flavours.

M: Medium to full viscosity and a medium level of carbonation.

O: The last time I tried a Samuel Smith beer was 6 months ago, and I really tasted hard water on this beer. I wish the beer tasted as it smelled, because it was much more subtle and sweet smelling; but it tastes quite dry and somewhat harsh in comparison.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 03:49:18 | More by DaftCaskBC

Greywulfken

New York

4.6/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 bottle date with an 8.0% abv; slow-poured (per instructions on bottle; to avoid inclusion of the yeast in the bottle) into an Ommegang glass (somewhere between a footed pilsner and a tulip).

A: amber brown body, creamy beige finger of head

S: light, bright oakiness and darker, sweet toffee

T: some lightly boozed dark fruit, molasses and bread pudding; wood/oak notes and raisins

M: leans more toward sweet than dry; moderate carbonation, medium weight; great aftertastes

O: a great holiday beer - would go so well with Christmas goose or a Thanksgiving pumpkin or pecan pie; this is a real treat of a beer with a lot of flavors. I may have benefitted from this being an aged bottle - it was very mellow and easy-drinking.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 16:16:54 | More by Greywulfken