Samuel Smith's The Famous Taddy Porter - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Right away it is easy to tell this is yet another carefully crafted beer from Samuel Smith's. With a firm but gentle pour, a beer fills the glass that is dark brown in color with a bit of a ruby tint, more so in the edges. A dense, thick mocha cap rests on top of the beer and leaves a nice amount of lace stick down the sides of the glass.

The aroma blends smooth dark chocolate, roasted malt, and cocoa together, with a bit of earthy nuttiness as well.

The blend of the flavors is definitely one of the strengths of this beer. Each sip starts with a fair amount of roasted malt and chocolate flavor that ranges from soft, semi-sweet cocoa to dark and slightly bitter. There is a bit of caramel and fig flavor in the middle that gives a gentle sweetness, and finally a blend of earthy hops and light coffee notes create a moderately bitter finish. The beer wraps up cleanly, although I wish the flavor was a bit more full and robust.

One aspect that could be improved is the body. Although 5% for a porter may have been the standard in the past and Taddy Porter drinks slightly bigger than that, there are just too many amazing porters coming out with a much deeper and more textured flavor to have this one stand out anymore.

The obvious brewing skill and small touches show why this beer (like most from Samuel Smith's) is a classic. However, with the speed of innovation in the porter style and in craft beer in general, this beer may be relegated to more infrequent consumption. When I have this, though, it is very drinkable and disappears quickly.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 17:51:56 | More by KickInTheChalice

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-17-2013 12:40:51 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

datalager

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-16-2013 21:05:46 | More by datalager

Morockm

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-16-2013 00:03:13 | More by Morockm

Skeeze

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-15-2013 21:41:09 | More by Skeeze

CoryR

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-15-2013 01:55:33 | More by CoryR

LuckyJohn

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-13-2013 18:17:21 | More by LuckyJohn

cornpone

New York

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

05-11-2013 21:27:36 | More by cornpone

smokinyodas

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If I could only take five beers to Valhalla, Samuel Smith's The Famous Taddy Porter would be one of them.

Out pours a dark clean brown porter with a smooth creamy head. There is a fantastic aroma that comes from the West Yorkshire Square Yeast. The taste of roasted malts is one to savor as it gives way to mellow hints of coffee and chocolate. A semi-sweet nutty molasses or butterscotch note lingers in the middle until the dry fruity esters take over at the end.

A Beer, A beer, My Kingdom for a Beer, now If only I could afford to buy this Taddy Porter in Kegs. In conclusion, this is a perfectly blended Porter, one that is generous in both the iconic beauty of beer flavors while yet never being overbalanced in harmonious perfection. Clearly the legacy of Samuel Smith continues till this day and in my opinion stands out as a uniquely proud king of beers without equal.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 14:23:55 | More by smokinyodas

FCRICH

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-11-2013 02:23:01 | More by FCRICH

atr2605

New York

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-pours black with a tan head with good retention that leaves a nice lacing
S-faint coffee and chocolate
T-More of the same with the flavors melting together and leaving a nice coffee flavor on the palate
M-medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation
O-such a solid beer. could drink this every day.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:03:54 | More by atr2605

Packman4IL

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-10-2013 03:22:55 | More by Packman4IL

J_Dub

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-09-2013 23:50:38 | More by J_Dub

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-09-2013 23:42:10 | More by tommyguz

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-09-2013 19:38:40 | More by ncstateplaya

JakeDebus

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-09-2013 19:30:00 | More by JakeDebus

Bill235

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-09-2013 18:41:33 | More by Bill235

thatdewguy

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +19.6%

05-09-2013 05:14:18 | More by thatdewguy

Kelp

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-09-2013 05:01:28 | More by Kelp

DrewShalvoy

California

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-08-2013 03:54:54 | More by DrewShalvoy

Kevincredible

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

05-08-2013 02:21:42 | More by Kevincredible

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-06-2013 18:51:12 | More by ZEB89

Mendicant

Australia

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-06-2013 07:36:42 | More by Mendicant

MatterOfOpinion

Michigan

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-06-2013 05:44:07 | More by MatterOfOpinion

DarthGuitarHero

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-05-2013 17:57:16 | More by DarthGuitarHero