Samuel Smith Old Brewery _Imperial Stout_ Russian Imperial Stout at 7.0% ABV (C$6.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 550 ml, bottle date 20-May-2014)
Pours nearly opaque deep brown with amber-brown highlights, three fingers of pillowy tan head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Nose is roasty malt coffee and chocolate, red berries, vanilla and citrus. (7/10) Taste is moderate sweet, mild bitter, mild sour. (7/10) Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, sticky texture and lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
Surprisingly light in both body and ABV for a RIS. Really quite similar to their Oatmeal. Though, the higher ABV and more syrupy texture does a better job of disguising what I’ve concluded must be a high metal content in the Tadcaster water. Ultimately, though, I’ve had better Russians. (15/20)
My 150th from the 2010 Edition (143rd from the 2013 edition), and 160th combining both editions.
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
