Samuel Smith Imperial Stout (55cl, 7%)

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout is a 7% ABV English imperial stout from Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, Yorkshire. It is fermented in stone Yorkshire squares made from Welsh slate, and the house yeast strain has been in continuous use since about 1900. The grain bill includes barley malt and roasted barley, with cane sugar added during production. The label references a gold medal won in 1896. It holds a 98 rating on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate. Aroma of roasted malt, dark toffee, molasses, cocoa and bitter chocolate, with subtle sherry-like sweetness and tobacco depth. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, with dark toffee, brown sugar, roasted coffee bitterness, bitter chocolate and leather. The finish is moderately long, with cocoa, roasted barley and dry nutty bitterness.