Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Roman5150

Michigan

3.84/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

bottle into pint glass, aged for 1 year

appearance: pitch black with 2 finger tan head, aggressive pour

smell: smokiness, roasted malts, espresso and really black coffee, dark chocolate

taste: Heavy smokiness, almost like a German Rauchbier, lots of dark chocolate and a dry roasted espresso flavor in the middle. Ends with a beef jerky, earthy finish.

mouthfeel: not much carbonation but a huge thick creamy flavor

overall: A great example of an English Stout. However, i'm not a huge fan of English beer. I studied there for 3 months with hopes of getting into their style of beer, but it never grew on me. WHile a great stout I can drink all day, and will buy again, it in no way compares to it's US counterparts such as Stone IRS, Bells Expedition or Black Note, Founders KBS, BS, CBS, and many more. It's a great brew that I can respect, just not my style.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 04:56:20 | More by Roman5150

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.54/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a pitch black with one full finger of dark khaki colored head. The foam is think and frothy, and takes forever to diminish. There is a ton of lacing left on the glass as it drinks.

S: The nose is caramel, chocolate, raisin, and soy. Uhh ohh. I'm in for a bad time. It smells a touch sour and just off. How long has this been sitting on the shelf at my local beer store?

T: It starts out sweet with roasted malt, caramel, and toffee. I get some milk chocolate in the middle, but nothing that dominates. I'll tell you what does dominate, though... sour. I get soy sauce and lacto throughout. Bummer man. The finish is more lacto and toffee.

M: Full bodied beer. This one has some good heft. It's coating but not syrupy. The flavors seem to be ok (minus that brutal sourness). I'm actually a bit taken aback by the toffee notes in this beer.

O: Not a fan. The off flavors really ruin this beer. I hope it's just a bad bottle, but who knows. I will try this again sometime down the road, but will prefer to seek this out on draft.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 20:42:24 | More by trxxpaxxs

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

550 ml bottle, no bottled-on date that I can find, poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours black with a huge, fluffy brown head, has very good retention and leaves awesome lacing.

S- Chocolate, roast, dark fruit, vinous aroma. Smells nice, a pretty fruit-forward stout aroma.

T- Lots of dark fruit, some roasted grain and light chocolate. Finishes with more fruit and maybe some vinousness.

M- Medium-bodied, it's about what you'd expect for a 7.00% stout, but it's pretty thin for the style.

O- A solid imperial stout, it's tasty, and although the flavor isn't massive and the body is a bit thin, it's still a great beer for the price point.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 02:23:10 | More by WillCarrera

mactrail

California

2.71/5  rDev -35.3%
look: 4 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

The smell is really peculiar. I finally realized, since we had been painting, it smells exactly like house paint. It's that damp, fumey smell of water-based paint that's different from other solvents.

The appearance is quite attractive, with a dark amber brown color and ample off-white head, and loads of lacing in the small globe glass. The flavor continues on the strange trip. It makes me think of prune juice, with the same sweet and tart flavors. Not that sweet, but dark and fruity. I can't get that smell out of my mind, it's back with every sip. I taste pomegranate, bubble gum, and some charred grain.

On the positive side, it's quite a creamy carbonation with a substantial mouthfeel. From the 500 ml bottle bought at a random liquor store.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:50:58 | More by mactrail

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.11/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

a fantastic rendition of an English version Russian imperial stout. textbook really. the pour is thicker and darker, but some light can still enter, and the head is sudsy and lasting, just off white. the nose is bittersweet, with plenty of chocolate malt and pushing burnt bitterness. in terms of flavor, the first sip or two are by far the best. vanilla and cocoa together, but not as intense as some American versions. the malt is really allowed to shine here, and glorious woody bitter notes come through thick and creamy. it gets a little thinner and washed out as it moves along, but its still damn good. chocolate and light bittering hops kick in on the back end. plenty drinkable, at a lower abv for the style and a really smooth texture. not nearly as full bodied as they come on this side of the pond, this is a brew I could have several or more of, and could easily be a regular in my refrigerator. I have no complaints other than a slightly underwhelming carbonation presence and it getting a little watery as it warms, but that's me being annoying. one of the best sam smith beers, which is definitely saying something.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 00:22:30 | More by StonedTrippin

barczar

Kentucky

3.84/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear deep brown with garnet highlights and a frothy one inch tan head that lingers, eventually leaving sheets of pillowy lacing as it dissipates.

Licorice, dark fruit, roast malt, chocolate, and floral hops form the initial aroma. Notes of soy, tar, acetone, and light medicinal phenols add complexity. Dark cherry and vinous tones are surprising, as well as minerally qualities.

Flavor reveals acetone, vinous, dark cherry, minerally undertones initially, which fade to rich roast malt and dark chocolate mid palate, with light char surfacing in the finish, adding slight bitterness. The malt profile is truly rich.

Body is fairly full, with low carbonation and soft alcohol warmth.

Not what I recall from this brew. The vinous, minerally, and soy characteristics
must've eluded me in the past. Either that, or I got an odd bottle. Great malt character, though. Not overly bitter, by any stretch, nor overly sweet. Well balanced. But that acetone character is offputting. Minus that, it's an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 19:41:08 | More by barczar

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured 500mL bottle into 34oz mug. Pitch black with dark, dark brown on the edges in light, with a thin dark brown head that doesn't stick around. Smell is similar to the oatmeal stout; mostly yeast, but with a hint of chocolate. Taste is very clear, coffee and chocolate malt with a pretty clean finish. Mouthfeel is full yet fizzy. Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 05:32:53 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

KelsoSaaz

New York

4.54/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into snifter

A: Pitch black with no light coming through. Tan, fine, quickly dissipating head.

S: Dark fruit and dark chocolate. Heavily roasted malts.

T: Intense roasted malt and coffee flavors. Bittersweet bakers chocolate and tiny hints of tart black cherries. Slight acidity. Finishes with bitter roasted malts and dark fruit.

M: Thick, viscous, borderline syrupy mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation.

O: A brew fit for a king. This RIS is exceptional and comes with a price tag that won’t offend the common folk. Samuel Smith’s continues to prove its world-class status. This is a must have for winter months or as an after dinner treat.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 00:27:06 | More by KelsoSaaz

FLima

Brazil

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Black color, so deep that almost no light can come through it. Lots of thick caramel head with an eternal retention.
Very nice aroma of dark chocolate with cherries, yeast and coffee. So far very promising.
Flavor was far from disappointing regardless of the high expectations the appearance and aroma had built in. Strong notes of espresso coffee, roasted malts and a bit smoked, condiments, port wine, caramel and a good deal of perfumy floral and earthy hops. Dry aftertaste with a residual coffee bitter taste.
Full liquorish and velvet body, creamy with very low carbonation and tiny bubbles. Alcohol of 7% ABV, which is on the lower range for the style, is subtle among the other bold variables.
Excellent beer, perfect balance. One to be savored slowly, feasting on every sip.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 01:12:25 | More by FLima

Samuel906

California

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

I'm a big fan of Sam Smith's chocolate stout, the imperial did not disappoint either. Unlike most imperials, this is very dry, and more bitter. Lots of roasted malts, bakers chocolate, and cappuccino. Just a touch of brown sugar sweetness. My only real qualm is is a bit light and watery for an Imperial, and has almost no head. Overall very good, and a nice reprieve from the usual diabetes bombs that are most imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 06:51:08 | More by Samuel906

JuliusCaesar

New Hampshire

4.19/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Black with a light brown head

S: Not very powerful but chocolate is there

T: Chocolate is dominant but caramel and toffee are also distinguishable. Bitterness and light alcohol on the finish

M: Rich and smooth

Overall: Really enjoyable beer. It's just plain good

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 00:07:28 | More by JuliusCaesar

AmitC

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 500 ml bottle with a nice packaging.

Color is dark brown while pouring. Thicker than i expected. Peat black inside the glass. Two finger thick light tan colored head with foamy bubbles. Excellent lacing on the sides. The head is probably a bit off colored and has less retention than i would expect from a RIS.

Aroma is of burnt up dark roasted malts. Some dark chocolate and very little coffee. Strength is just fine.

Taste is what makes this brew great. Solid burnt up bitter malt taste. Lot of roasted malts. Good bitterness overall. Some bittering hops as well. Coffee and chocolate are secondary flavors.

Mouth feel is medium to thick bodied. Moderate carbonation. Drinks better with a little warmth. No alcohol presence. Astringency is mainly due to bitterness of dark roasted malts. Excellent character.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:29:34 | More by AmitC

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

And yes my favourite brewery gets points for using bottles that I can bottle my beer with! Tasteful label and I do dig their symbol as well.

The beer pours a deep black with a one finger brown head that fades to a solid cap on the beer with Charlie Brown Halloween ghost costume heads of lacing on the side of my glass mug. Pretty cool!

Cherries seem to be up front in the aroma, slightly acidic or astringent, raisins and definitely malts, but not much in the way of roasted malt.

I poured this beer too cold. I needed to let is sit out of the fridge longer. So here are a list of flavours associated with this beer, not in any particular order and surprisingly, no one really more predominant than the other, but in this order of appearance: Dark Roasted malt, dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, bread, vanilla, cherries, roasted malt and then finally bittering hops followed by licorice and a hop dryness. Like I said, none more overwhelming than the other and only the lingering hop bitter stays. It's very well balanced.

It has a smooth and creamy mouthfeel and is most definitely full bodied, but not syrupy. The carbonation is moderate or a hair under and the finish is dry, but not overly so.

I love this beer! There is a tartness that I associate with the cherry flavours that I am not overly fond of. I'm not sure of the origins, but there is good reason why this is truly a world class beer! The complexity along with the balance alone is astonishing. If you don't like a bitter finish, you will probably want to stay away from this beer as it seems accentuated by the dark roasted malts. For the style, I am giving this beer high 4s out of 5! Superb!

Like I said, this beer is not for all beer drinkers. It is bitter, but not enough to turn me away. Although drinking two of these in a row might be a challenge for me. Really, the only way to know it to take that leap and check it out! If you know the style is not to your liking already, so be it. You can always convince your publican to give you a taster. Just get out there. Try new beer! You don't want to be on your death bed regretting that you didn't taste a piece of history when you could have do you?

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 00:32:53 | More by WissBrauSean

smokinyodas

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout is true to the name and style. As you would guess this Stout has the depth you would come to expect: bitter dark chocolate and extra burnt coffee with hints of dark fruits that balances out to one mighty flavorful winter drink.

The deep smells of roasted barley, chocolate, hops and yeast are intoxicating. The mouth feel is clean and creamy with hints of mineral rich water. With that said however, unlike many of the other Samuel Smith beers that are well balanced, this one is only a sipping beer for me because the bold flavor alone makes it hard for me to enjoy more than once in a beer session.

Truly a Hardcore Stout Lovers Manly Beer and not made for wimpy Milk and Oatmeal Stout Lovers like myself. As they would say in the south, this will put hair on your chest.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 04:35:58 | More by smokinyodas

arfenhouse

California

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Black with big tan head. Good retention with a little lacing.

S: Raisins and plums upfront. Behind it is some mocha and a bit of roasted malt at the end.

T: Getting plums first. Roasted (slightly burned) espresso. Aftertaste is bittering grain and more dark fruits.

M: Medium bodied with light carbonation. Wet.

O: Nice solid RIS. Not mind blowing but very very good for the price.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 06:47:06 | More by arfenhouse

BWED

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip from a 12 oz. bottle

A- Dark dark deep brown, near black, with a beautifully retained one finger brown head. Rings of lacing, and a quick experience of cascade as it pours.

S- Chocolate, and strong espresso bitterness. I sense a slight metallic aroma as well (like most Samuel Smith's.) Iron-rich water?

T- Some chocolate, some coffee, no metallic taste. Slight hop balance. Not as flavorful as I would expect from an imperial, but a well crafted brew.

M- Full-bodied but smooth and clean. A little bit of a dry finish.

O- A quality beer, but I don't think I can consider it "Imperial." A moderate ABV, and a mild flavor base makes it just seem like a stout. If it were any drier, I would even consider it dry irish.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 03:36:14 | More by BWED

dar482

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Looks like a dark stout with a light brown head. It tastes of roasted chocolate. It has a good bit of Russian Imperial Stout flavor, but then also a creaminess almost like a porter.

It has a medium body with a good carbonation.

For an Russian Imperial Stout , this is really drinkable as it cuts off at the end. I would recommend it as an entry into the style. However, I do love it as someone who has had a few, so it's for all. Just maybe not those heavy heads into the deep deep rich flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 05:28:51 | More by dar482

Lambocalrisien

New York

3.76/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a dark brownish black with a 2 1/2 finger coffee colored head.

S - Fruit, especially raisins, dominate the nose. I don't get any roasted or char aromas which is a bit disappointing.

T - Similar to the nose, heavy fruit flavor with the slightest roast and chocolate coming through in the middle. I do like the dry bitterness finish but wish this RIS balanced the fruit, chocolate and roast better.

M - Very drinkable, the best feature of this beer is how smooth it goes down. No issues downing a pint.

O - To me it's just an average RIS. Great value tho.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 01:41:34 | More by Lambocalrisien

rand

California

4.39/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

From 500 mL bottle to snifter

A: Typical stout complexion and color - dark brown-to-black, completely opaque, coffee-tan head. Head retention is fairly light as the head dissipates in a few minutes and leaves a couple patches of lacing around the glass. Not the most viscous-looking stout you'll come across.

S: The nose is malt-forward, with distinct notes of ripe fruit - particularly cherries and plums - and anise. Some carob and Swiss chocolate linger, along with a touch of earthy hop astringency.

T: The flavors largely follow with the sweet aspects of the carob and ripe fruit touching the palate first. Chocolate notes become more distinct as the beer warms, along with the alcohol. The flavor-profile is well balanced and smooth, from beginning to end, as none of the various tones take precedence. Finishes relatively long leaning toward the sweet-side of the palate.

M: Creamy and velvety...smooth and more viscous than it appeared. Ample carbonation keeps the rich complexion from sticking to the palate between sips

After drinking a lot of barrel-aged monster-stouts from the West side of the Atlantic, it's interesting coming back to this classic. Nothing tastes like it, and it has a lot of the creamy, chewy qualities that their American brethren only pick up from the aging process. This always hits the spot...it's nice that it's pretty easy to pick up.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 09:37:50 | More by rand

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Helluva stout here. Samuel Smith's puts the imperial in Imperial Stout. Thick black beer with of toffee colored head. My beer was very cold and served in a very good Duvel artsy glass. Now this beer is coal black. No light, no redness, and no brown. Just black.

Smell is black licorice. Smokey. Tobacco. Dark roasted malts. Dark fruit raisins prunes. Extreme. Molasses.

Taste is outrageous old bitter sweet candies that are well-balanced. But I like the black licorice prunish flavor bursting through. I ran a head to head comparison with Old Rasputin RIS. I have to admit I was cheering for Ol Ras, but no Samuel Smith trumped the Michigan brewer. That deep down smokey black licorice dark heavy fruit flavors really knock me out.

Damn good beer and should be drank with one of Coltranes incredible versions of the modal composition - Impressions or maybe LL Cool J Momma Said Knock You Out! if thats more of your flavor flav.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 08:02:03 | More by frankiepop

superspak

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

550 ml bottle into snifter, bottled on 5/10/2012. Pours fairly pitch black color with a nice 1-2 finger dense tan head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big apple, raisin, dark chocolate, brown sugar, roasted malt, toast, dark bread, light coffee, light char, and herbal earthiness. Decent aromas with some good complexity; but the fruity aromas are a bit too overpowering, something went wrong with this bottle. Taste of dark chocolate, roasted malt, toast, toffee, brown sugar, dark bread, coffee, light char, raisin, and earthiness. Lingering notes of dark chocolate, roasted malt, toast, brown sugar, dark bread, coffee, toffee, light char, raisin, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance, robustness, and complexity of roasted malt flavors; with a good amount of balanced fruity complexity; and hardly any cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy, lightly slick, and lightly chalky mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a nice imperial stout style. Good balance and robustness of roasted flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A nicely enjoyable offering; despite the obvious flaws with this particular bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 06:21:18 | More by superspak

GaetanoBresci

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely one of the best stout! Poured from the tap has a dark black with two fingers of creamy tan head. Smell oak barrel, dark chocolate, pretty intense. Taste: smooth coffee, creamy, dark fruit.
It s one of the best stout I ever tried, even if I am not a fun of imperial stout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2013 10:04:31 | More by GaetanoBresci

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ticking my way through the "Beers of Fame" list. Sam Smith REALLY need to get rid of those clear bottles.

Served in an Olde Hickory glass.

A: No light passing through this rat bastard. Black as night, with a peppery whipped cream-like head on top of that ink.

S: Sam Smith profile through and through. I might best describe it as pureed raisons with added dark chocolate.

T: Much more fruity than most Imperial Stouts out there. I'll stick strongly with my raison observation. Dark, semi-sweet chocolate in the middle, but then the dark fruit comes back.

M: Absolutely ridiculous lacing, with a low-moderate carbonation bill. EXTREMELY drinkable!

O: Pretty awesome stuff. Samuel Smith's crowning achievement to my mind.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 01:16:27 | More by Chaney

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: 18.7 oz. 'Victorian Pint' brown glass bottle; nice, 'antique'-looking label. If I've deciphered the date code correctly, I believe this was bottled March 19th, 2012. Sadly, that's as fresh as we can usually get Sam Smith's in the States, but for this style of brew, that's not so bad honestly. Into my Black Sheep imperial pint.

Appearance: Obsidian-black beer with hints of brown around the edges when held up to the light. Nice medium-tan cap with pretty nice stick.

Smell: A bit unusual. No real roast, char, etc, but rather some musty apple and perhaps the slightest hint of chocolate.

Taste: Very much an English take on the style. Begins estery (apples and vinous dark fruit) before turning lightly roasty (chocolate malt, I think?) in the middle, with a bit of toast as well. Mild notes of char on the firm, bitter finish, with those apple-and-red-wine flavors that we started out with.

Mouthfeel: Every bit of 7%, and really seems a bit bigger than that. Smooth and creamy.

Overall: Overall, this is probably a somewhat better beer than this review suggests. I'm perfectly fine with the English style of RIS as opposed to the American variety. My main issue here is that this is a bit weak in the aroma department (precious little other than green apples) and that the fruity (and especially, apple) flavors significantly overshadow the malt and roasted flavors that, for me, need to be a bit more forward. I'd say that perhaps this beer's just suffering from age, but at just under a year old, this shouldn't be the case. At arond $4.00 a bottle, this is worth picking up once in awhile, but I wouldn't likely have it in my regular rotation.

83-B

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 05:41:37 | More by BedetheVenerable

His_Royal_Hoppiness

United Kingdom (England)

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Deep black with a frothy brown head.

S: Molasses, pepper, whisky.

T: Dark chocolate, brown sugar, toasted malt - very complex. Alcohol is warming but not overdone.

M: Medium-bodied with low carbonation - a great sipper.

Absolutely delicious - I love the fact that the sweetness is so restrained - it doesn't have to be an after-dinner beer. Best Samuel Smith offering I've had so far - I'd rate this higher than the Oatmeal Stout, which I also greatly enjoyed - I found that this has greater depths of flavour.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 20:47:10 | More by His_Royal_Hoppiness