Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout

550 ml bottle - Eye: blackest molasses with large sponge toffee mocha head that lasts forever. Nose: filled with lots of roast, but rounded, not sharp; a whiff of steely hops, black licorice, barbecue, hickory smoke, and damson plums in syrup. Real palate coater, this one. Big malts up front give way to some round alcohol and finally, a wave of intermingling bitterness from the roasted malt and the hops. A friggin’ fantastic classic, and a true warmer on this 1 degree Celsius autumn evening.

Pours near opaque black with a nice brownish head. Aroma is roasty and malty. Taste is big and of roasted malts and coffee, but lighter and easier to drink than many imperial stouts.

Bottle courtesy of my cousin Tim. Pours a dark cola with a medium sized light brown head. Aroma of bitter roasted malts, dark chocolate, black licorice and smoke. Excellent !!

500mL bottle. Pours black with frothy tan head that dissipates rather quickly. Smells predominantly of black licorice and deep fruits (raisins and plums come to mind). Overall, the aroma is a bit on the tart, fruity side... maybe a slight hint of chocolate and roasted malts in there, but predominantly black licorice. The taste is similar to the aroma: starts out with fruit and black licorice, then finishes a little more smokey and chocolatey. Malts and alcohol are also in the mix. A pretty complex beer, let it warm up a bit and the notes are easier to distinguish. Beautiful pour and very thick on the tongue; it’s a pretty heavy brew, but still quite drinkable. Samuel Smiths continues to impress!

500 mL bottle. Beautiful looking beer - a 5 if the head had lasted. Not the typical IS aroma - there’s a tart fruitiness, and less roastiness than most. Lovely, full flavour, with chocolate, smoke, licorice, and a creamy, slightly bitter finish. As good as it is, it doesn’t live up to the reputation that preceded it.

pours dark with espresso colored head. Aroma is that of chocolate and malts. Very smooth. Great tasting. Never unpleased with Sam Smtih. Great overall beer.

Bottle from four winds. Great nose of light caramel, soy, chocolate, and coffee somewhat smoked. Flavors of soy, dark almost burnt malt character. Excelently balanced with the medium body. This is a very complex one I think more than most noticed. Ive got 2 other bottles will take my time and re-review.

Bottle pours opaque black with thin tan head. Aroma is mostly roasted malt with hint of dark fruits. First taste is sweet roasted malt, then a slight bitterness and dark fruit flavor. The carbonation is perfect and I like imperials with 6-8% abv ranges. The alcohol doesnt overwhelm the flavors. Nice.