Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout Review

Samuel Smith was founded in 1758 in Tadcaster, UK, and they have solidified themselves in beer glory, particularly in the area of stouts. You’ve seen them on the shelves if you’ve even remotely considered stepping out of the ordinary. Well, today we did.

Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout is one of the old brewer’s staples. It comes in at 7.0% ABV and is brewed with well water from the original well sunk in 1758, as well as with high-quality ingredients to make this beer a force to hold up with the company’s age.

This is our first experience with the revered brewer, but we’re expecting a lot, so let’s see how it stacks up in our…

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--Pours dark as a coal shaft and is topped with a persistent milk-chocolate head.

• On the Nose--Roasted but surprisingly light. Comparable to other UK stouts in aroma, and with the slightest hint of chocolate.

• On the Palate--Remarkably smooth with a great depth of roasted malt and a pinch of chocolate. The ABV is moderately high but not noticeable. The flavors are smooth and cohesive, making it a delight to drink. The roasted malt depth gives it an unexpected complexity and a more mature flavor than just a depth of chocolate alone, as some stouts get caught up in. I was expecting a very dry finish, but it is only fleetingly dry and the flavors don’t linger like they do in many stronger stouts.

Final Thoughts:

Honestly, there’s not much more that can be added to the conversation about Samuel Smith. They’ve been around longer than America’s been a country for a reason, and they are a part of that elite group of UK breweries bottling exceptional stouts. It is a pricier beer (and that’s why you may be here), but if you wish to branch out and try something new (and time tested) the Samuel Smith Imperial stout is a great place to spend your hard-earned cash.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew