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

Jordan

California

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Truly an exceptional beer. Smoked chocolate coffee notes, slighly bitter yet sweet. Creamy & rich. Pitch black like most stouts against a medium brown head. The head slowly dissipates down to about an 1/8 inch and stays there. Goes down like a glass of milk. Are you worthy?

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2001 17:52:53 | More by Jordan

MaineBeerMan

Maine

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Whoa! How have I gone all this time drinking the Taddy Porter and Oatmeal Stout without ever trying the Imperial? This stuff is dark black in appearance although a bright light behind it revealed rich bugundy red. Beautiful inch thick light brown foam that left rings down the glass.
Very fragrant with smell of malt, chocolate, molasses and a slight alcohol twinge.
Rich, robust flavor that just doesn't quit. Roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee, raisins and others are all present. Good hop presence helps to balance the sweetness.
Nice sweet, full mouthfeel this is so rich, it's like a meal in a glass.The flavor is so full that I couldn't tell it was 7% alcohol.

One of the best I've ever tasted, extremely drinkable, I wish I had bought more than one.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2002 19:36:11 | More by MaineBeerMan

BeerBob

Nebraska

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout pours a perfect black from a 12oz clear glass bottle. Head is a pleasing brown with the consistency of yogurt and easily goes to over two fingers while covering the glass sides in a vale of foam as the liquid is consumed.

Nose is the most delightful assortment of dried fruits, and chocolates that I have ever found in a stout of any kind. Fig and sweet prune are in abundance in both the nose and the palate with a nice drying coffee like bitter for the finish.

Contractors to Her Majesty’s Forces can be found on the bottle label along with gold and sliver medals from the 18 and 19 hundreds.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2002 03:29:36 | More by BeerBob

inebrius

Michigan

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A commanding nose of chocolate syrup liberally poured over baked berries, anisette wafer cookies and a spoon of vanilla ice cream. A predominate roastiness oversees a mélange of fantastical flavors that meld perfectly with a smooth, oaty mouthfeel. A masterful creation out of the old brewery. Like having your own personal flavor harem stroking your buds whilst you lay back in a state of exquisite wonderment. Drinkable? Please! How can you keep your lips off it? Elegant *and* accessible.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2002 19:12:40 | More by inebrius

GeoffRizzo

Texas

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pitch black pour, dark brown head; incredible retention and lacing until the last drop. Eager, highly anticipative aroma of burnt malts, plums, raisins, heavy notes of alcohol. Up front this bad boy is thick, yet smooth and creamy. Velvety slick, with a port feel to it; roasted malts, the alcohol is quite noticeable, yet it is in the background and does not offend. Character notes are many, to include nuts, raisins, port, burnt malts, coffee beans and chocolate; absolutely incredible flavoring and taste. Savoring, enjoyable, a warming brew, immensely drinkable, quite complex, worth a novel; clearly one of the best brews out there.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2003 02:36:52 | More by GeoffRizzo

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

[This is my 100th review, a slight milestone in my BA life, so I had to go with my favorite style, and I'm very glad I did]

Poured from the clear 550ml bottle into a snifter the beer was a very dark black that let no light thru. It was topped by a little more than one finger of frothy dark tan head. Big rings of lace clung to the glass throughout the sample.

The smell was dark and roasted. Malt upfront but very well accented with chocolate, black coffee, and cocoa. A slight "bitterness" to the smell, a bit like black liquorice.

The innitial taste was a heavy roasted (almost burnt) maltiness. This gave way to a flurry of black cofee and dark chocolate flavors. Only a slightly bitter kick to the end similair to chicory. Some strong coffee flavors and a slight warming to each sip. Little alcohol in the taste, but the slight alcoholic warming associated with Imperial Stouts. A robust and full flavor that has some hints of darker fruit as well.

Medium to slightly heavy on the palate with a robust body that is sturdy yet maintains a creamy consistancy on the palate. Only slight carbonation.

As far as Imperial Stouts go, this has got to be one of the most drinkable. Every aroma is matched in taste and everything is so well balanced so as to accent everything else. The moderate alcohol content makes it easy to finish and despite its body, still very easy to drink. The perfect end to any meal, and one I will not keep my fridge without.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2005 02:54:17 | More by Sycodrummer

SteveO1231

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Aw man This is an awesome beer!

Pours a jet black with an awesome thick foam of tan head on top. Low carbonation.

Huge roasted malt aroma with some delicious smells of dark chocolate, butterscotch, and caramel. Makes my mouth water.

Rich creamy texture, delicious roasted chocolate taste, so damn good! Followed my a dry bitterness of black coffee, burnt caramel/toffee. Nice little kick of alcohol esters in the finish, not too much, but just right.

Most perfect Imperial stout I have ever tasted, so balanced and drinkable. Why did I wait so long to drink you? I enjoyed this beer with some X-mas chocolates, Awesome!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 00:01:20 | More by SteveO1231

mclanem

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: this is a very dark beer, of course imperial stout, but looked great nice brown head.

Smell: Smells great coffe, malt ect great balanced smell.

Taste: Coffee great taste not at all metallic, not bitter at all very smooth. flavor

Mouthfeel: Great carbonation good thick feel.

Drinkabilty: I could down a ton of this stuff and I would like to have this in my fridge always..

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2006 22:56:23 | More by mclanem

schusterbauer

Michigan

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

of course there's no answer to the "favorite beer" question. forced to make a decision though, this would definitely be in contention.

more burnt brown than black, with highlights of mahogany, and a small staid head. perhaps my perception of its appearance is tainted by my knowledge of what comes next, but if that's the case, then so be it. smell is of barely warm brownies, prune juice, walnuts, liqueur, coffee. taste is a haphazard (in a good way) blend of the same flavors, along with burnt brown sugar, chocolate covered raisins, charcoal, and fig pudding. subtle and refined in the mouth -- not harsh, bruising, or daring like the american interpretations. inviting, and warming. pleasingly inebriating. drink a couple and you'll be singing.

i've drinken this from snifters, pint glasses, and (gasp!) straight from the bottle -- it's always fantastic. an obsession.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2007 14:10:58 | More by schusterbauer

hustlesworth

Ohio

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- complete black except for a tiny shred of burgundy at the very bottom. thick dense dark-khaki colored head is firm and wiggly as jello and as it slowly settles down it leaves gobs of lace behind.

S- alot of roasted malt sweetness and a little bit of smoke. well water, plum, currant, some anise, cocoa powder, and earthy hops with mild citrus aroma. toffee, marshmallow, and caramel stand apart from the roasted notes with a very appealing dessert-like sweetness. raisin, fig, date, cedar. chocolate instead of coffee. doughnut, funnel cake, creamstick, etc. this baby smells like a pastry.

T- huge amount of malt flavor with a touch of smokiness, over-ripe sour dark fruit, cocoa, coffee, and earthy hops makes for a nice bitter burnt biscuit aftertaste and moderate hop bitterness. the malt profile here is sublime, and any more hops would be a hindrance. sweet and roasted, everything burnt, with the perfect balance of burnt and sweet. tastes exactly like bittersweet chocolates. with a coffee-ish edge. and a shiver of alcohol as i swallow. citrus and blackberry syrup notes on the backside, long burnt finish.

MF- thick and rich with its melted chocolatey self, has a slight grainy cocoa powder feel and i'm not surprised because this right here is a lunch in itself. somewhat of a light minty colling effect as well, probably from drying and evaporation of alcohol on the inhale/exhale. carbonation is low low and almost nitro tiny and hell, even if there were no bubbles at all, this would still feel like heaven.

D- a benchmark indeed, that goes without saying, and though our american brewers make some great RIS, this one takes the cake for me. Old Rasputin might give it a run for its money, but sammy wins in the long run cuz of the mysterious D factor. in this case it's not so mysterious- the 7% abv. yeah and the incredible flavors and smells and everything else, but with that 2-4% lower alcohol come less knock you out of your chair intensity, allowing this one to drink as good as their oatmeal stout. this is unquestionable perfection. i could easily (if i wanted to wind up with my face on the concrete) sit and enjoy pint after imperial pint of this magical elixir.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2008 05:28:33 | More by hustlesworth

cuzinpete00

Delaware

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

best RIS ive had yet.

very very smooth.

this beer almost seemed creamy similar to the oatmeal stout that Samuel smith makes.

tasted well balanced.

this is a great beer to pop open after work with a little kick that sets you in a comfortable mood.

i cant wait to get more! this is a must buy!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2008 22:12:11 | More by cuzinpete00

jazztoloc

Mexico

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark 12 oz bottle with the golden foil on top. Poured into a guinness pint glass (sorry...pretty funny!). No freshness date.

A: Very dark brown with small hints of red. Brown and creamy head and a very beautiful lacing.

S: Coffee, chocolate, fruits.

T: Bitter chocolate, Raisins, prune. A magnificent finish. The alcohol is present (maybe because I know it's there), but the balance of the flavors with the alcohol is amazing.

M: Medium + bodied, medium carbonation. Very silky.

D: I am very impressed with this beer, it feels like Cognac in your mouth ( I meant it as a compliment). This Imperial Stout is very drinkable, and again, I think it could suit a lot of paladates. Balance!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2009 01:24:35 | More by jazztoloc

mrcarterxxl

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

pours a beautiful dark hue with red around the edges
with a 2 1/2 inch tan head with a slight orange hue to it.

the first thought of the smell was fresh bakes devils food cake or brownies/english toffee

tastes of toffee, bitter sweet chocolate, fresh oats, bitter sweet taste.

this stout left lacing well after pour and first few sips

i will have this stout again its a new found favorite!

ABV: 7.0%

cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2009 01:59:20 | More by mrcarterxxl

keysofebony

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is by far one of my favorite beers.

This is a pretty dark beer although a slight hint of red when held up to a bright light. Tan head that sticks around.

Smell is like a snickers bar put in coffee. a little funk to it, but that's more of a caramel smell.

Taste is outstanding. Definitely what is expected from the nose; caramel, coffee, and chocolate mostly. No alcohol taste really and it is not too dry and the slightest bit sweet. Small amount bitterness and comfortable malty taste.

I bought a bottle of this for a friend's dad who swears by Guinness and he was blown away. I have to say this is one of very few imperial stouts I have had, but every time now I have a guinness or regular stout it is just not enough. Will continue to buy (this is the third time I've gotten it)

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 06:10:41 | More by keysofebony

MJR

Missouri

4.97/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm honestly puzzled how some can rate Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout higher than their Imperial Stout.

Pours pitch black with a dark tan head that doesn't want to stick around, but is easily aroused with a simple swirl of the glass.

The smell alone is enough to buckle this beer lovers knees. Roasted malt, raisons, burnt fruit, molasses, alcohol-covered fruit, you name it, it's in here. The flavor is stunningly complex, with more and more flavors showing up as the beer warms up. The mouthfeel is outstanding...nice and creamy, which I think is the main thing lacking from their Oatmeal Stout...it's a bit thin.

One of the great beers of the world.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2002 15:51:18 | More by MJR

putnam

Michigan

4.97/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark but not opaque with Burgundy highlights and a wisp of foam on top. The aromas are of milk, blueberries, prunes and old-fashioned licorice with a dusting of cocoa and sweet spices. Velvety, peptol-bismol-like texture and even a little medicine-box nuance, like old bandages, kicking in. Delicious sweet milk, walnuts, vanilla bean and burnt sugar. No obtrusive hop herbalness at all. Brilliant, satisfying, and amazingly drinkable for an Imperial Stout. A beer with class and poise.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2002 13:56:56 | More by putnam

tastybeer

North Carolina

4.97/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Black with creamy tan head, not sticking but maybe because I'm drinking it too fast. Really good all around. Smells and tastes full of roasted maltS, coffee, deep dark fruit hops, Smoked fruit malt finish. Balanced perfectly in smell and taste. Velvety chewy full body that goes down extremely smooth.

Give me more.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2005 00:34:57 | More by tastybeer

budgood1

Minnesota

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

oh baby....pours black as molasses with a thin tan head. fruitcake, molasses, chocolate in the nose. huge malty mouthfeel fills your tastebuds full of sweet goodies. there is some hop bitterness that dances on your tongue in the finish and lingers afterward. alcohol is present but only adds to the wonderfully balanced profile. wow is this stuff great!

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2002 15:37:00 | More by budgood1

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I have never had this before, what a feast!!!!.
The 12 fl.oz. bottle has a Royal looking Gold and White label, and so it should, for it proudly boasts Samuel Smiths as, “Contractors to Her Majesty’s Forces”. Bloody Hell - I want to Join the Army right now.
It is totally black, solidly opaque, not even Neutrinos can get through this beer! A velvety brown head coats the beer with a thin head that laces the glass with an old fractel design from the 1700’s. WOW!!. This beer does not have a sense of humor – it is one very Serious Stout. Smell is the very definition of “Imperial Stout”, through and through. Aromas and Tastes are inextricably linked to each other and are (in no specific order); Alcohol, Roast Malts, deeply burnished Mahogany, Roast Coffee Beans, Blackberries, Cocoa Beans, Liquorice from Pontefract, Bourneville Chocolate, Dark Rum, 5 year old Xmas Fruit Cake, Blueberries, Charcoal, distilled Cassis, dark Cherries (you know the ones I mean?), Brandy Chocolate Liqueurs, Dark Rum chasers….. need I go on?.
Extremely well balanced, big start that fades with a lingeruing roast malt bitterness. Man this beer is seriously good. Sams have an uncanny knack of making highly drinkable beers, and this is no exception.
A Simply Stunning Regal Stout that has a truly Nobel, Imperious, Majestic quality.
A "High Borne" Aristocratic Sovereign amongst Stouts.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2002 21:41:01 | More by TheLongBeachBum

kegerator

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I enjoyed this beer quite a bit.
Poured out black as night with a nice brown head, appearance was right on for this style.
the best way i can describe the aroma is oily chocolate with some hints of coffee and port. I was excited by this.
taste was just about the same as the aromas, but I wasn't getting the oily part in the taste. very smooth.
I will buy this one again for sure. It would have gotten all 5's and probably deserves it but in comparison this one just didn't quite have the heartiness of storm king almost too smooth. get it and taste it. you won't be disappointed

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 13:13:14 | More by kegerator

asabreed

New York

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

550 ml. bottle into my Delirium Tremens glass.

Appearance: This definitely looks hot in the glass. Black as black can be of course. Mocha head that's not huge but stays at about 1/2", and I didn't give it the most vigorous pour. Nice sticky lacing hangs out on the glass too. A good looking brew.

Smell: Damn. Some coffee, chocolate, oatmeal I think, a bit of sourness, some chalkiness, and a touch of burnt and toasted malts. Also some slight bitterness from hops in there. Balanced, complex, and though it doesn't have the insane amount of alcohol (though many have indiscernible levels) as many RIS, this is singular and wonderful.

Taste: Initial sourness, followed my a bit of hops, maybe some oatmeal, then some chocolate, chalkiness, burnt malt, some more sourness, and then finishes with all of it together. Long finish with a weird combination of hops present also. This is singular beyond belief, and also awesome in every way.

Mouthfeel: Wow, how do they do this? For the style I'm so surpised how velvety this is, how much carbonation there is, and how it maintains its creaminess through the entire process. Looks much thicker than it feels.

Drinkability: I wasn't sure about this being too overhyped, but no, it's not. Awesome drinkability, price, balance, flavor, complexity. If you like the style and haven't had this yet (and I consider myself in this camp also), then you should consider yourself silly and go get a bottle. Can't wait to stock up on this.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2006 01:38:32 | More by asabreed

tfp4268

Kentucky

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is truly an amazing brew!

Pours opaque brown with a creamy light tan head that never goes away. Gorgeous!!

Smells awesome! Pure dark malts and milk chocolate. The smell really makes you anticipate the taste.

Taste doesn't dissapoint-Starts out sweet and choclatey, with a little raisin, then finishes up with a very pleasant hops and alcohol nip in the end.

Mouthfeel is smooth, but not really thick...nice tho.

Drinkability is crazy...You'd never know you were drinking a 7% brew untill you feel it. It's amazingly smooth. Yeah, I belive I'll have another!

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2006 12:46:19 | More by tfp4268

wages

Missouri

4.95/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

It's been a long time since I've had any Samuel Smith. I had a few different kinds about 4 years ago which I really just didn't like at the time, so only recently have I decided to try it again, and what better way to start than with Imperial Stout?

Appearance - 5/5 - It has a deep rich black color with a thick creamy brownish head

Smell - 5/5 - Roasty and ..maybe a plum brandy. Hard to describe but wonderful.

Taste - 5/5 - Rich roasty and estery. Bitter, roasty, slight fruit (plum or raisin) aftertaste that lingers. Somewhat minerally (albeit from the well water used). Perhaps that is what put me off years ago, but I've since gained appreciation for the uniqueness of flavor imparted by the water.

Mouthfeel - 4.5/5 - Semi-thick, biscuit (?) body. Very well carbonated. Pleasant but the body could limit me to two.

Overall - 5/5 - In the end, my interest in Samuel Smith has been greatly revived! I'm looking forward to re-trying all of their non-fruit brews. And of course, more Imperial Stout is in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 04:25:56 | More by wages

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

rkhaze

California

4.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours out black with a little dark mahogany escaping the edges. Small, thick creamy head. Smells of dark roasted malt, sweet chocolate, coffee, some red fruits and a bit of licorice. It had an almost vinuous aroma.
Tastes of sweet roasted malt, espresso, milk chocolate, red fruit, burnt brandy and black licorice. Wonderfully balanced with a pleasant bitterness, a smidge of salt and a lingering wisp of smoke. Just an outstanding melding of great flavors!
Medium bodied but a little light for the style. Lower in alcohol and lacking that viscous mouthfeel I love about Imperials. That being said...what a mouthfeel! One of, if not THE creamiest, velvety smooth beers I've ever had. Perfect amount of carbonation leads to the easiest and best drinking Imperial on the market. IMHO.
An outstanding Imperial worthy of the hype!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2004 02:21:54 | More by rkhaze