550ml bottle
In Michigan around $5.00 a bottle
8% abv
Samuel Smith Old Brewery
United Kingdom
This is an aged bottle: Brewed in 2008
This bottle conditioned ale is ‘aged in oak ale casks matured for over a year.’ I have never had this beer from Samuel Smith before and I really like oak aged beers.
This beer pours a murky, ruddy, copper color with a solid tan head. The aroma when I first opened the bottle was of sweet apples. It made me think of a cider mill at first. The nose is mainly malty. I had a little apprehension hoping it was not going to be too sweet.
The first sip brightened my eyes for the taste seemed wonderful. Of course there was the usual caramel sweetness but, it is the Granny Smith apple-tartness that starts to steal the show. There are plenty of dark fruit qualities that one can play the old guessing game of ‘what am I tasting?’ Then there is a good herbal bready profile that mixes well with all of the other wonderful flavors. Oh, don’t forget the nice little spice taste. This is one rich tasting and complex ale. The carbonation level is near perfect for this ale and it is on the back of my palate where I experience that slight oaky taste.
The Cigar
Carlos Torano Virtuoso Toro
Read previous posting
The Pairing
I think the Torano Exodus 1959 could be a quality fit here or the Casa Maduro with its sweetness would make an interesting pairing but, I went for the Torano Virtuoso. The solid coffee and peppery style I thought
This is a solid pairing. That earthy coffee and pepper spiciness of the cigar helps to control some of the sweet caramel notes of the ale. And likewise, as the pepper profile of the cigar picks up the sweetness of the ale helps to settle the bite of the cigar. The apple tartness is still pleasing to the palate. All the other wonderful flavors of this ale seem to mingle well with this cigar during this session.
I am going to have to plan to have this pairing again – I am enjoying this during this cool autumn day.
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