Samuel Smith Taddy Porter: Review

Samuel Smith Old Brewery

N. Yorks, England

The Famous Taddy Porter

5% abv

I picked this up for only 7 bucks a six pack at the Side Track Bar in Ypsilanti Michigan. It was a clearance deal they had going.  They had about eight different beers and you could do a mix or match on a six pack (only one per customer – damn).

I can’t believe I have never reviewed this Porter.

Appearance: near black body with some mahogany edges when held to the light; only a half-finger light tan head on a very easy pour – trying to pour and watch football; a much better one finger head on my second glass

Aroma: faint roasted malty notes with a touch of chocolate coffee

Flavors: slightly bitter coffee with a semi-sweet chocolate style; touch of fig; toasted caramel malts

Mouthfeel: low carbonation; semi-creamy feel; lightly burnt roasted notes; medium bitterness; lingering roasted malts on the aftertaste; medium-full body

To the Point: to me this has always been a classic Porter; not overly busy on the flavors; nice depth on the flavors; pleasing feel; a quality Porter to judge all others

I paired this with a Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur Legend Robusto Cigar.  The Challenger comes in at 5.25 x 50 in size.  Flavor profile: peppery spice; dusty earthy notes; firm oak; black walnut.  This cigar has a nice medium-full body feel with some pleasing roasted notes that linger on the palate.

The pairing: the roasted notes of the cigar really complement the roasted malts from the Porter.  The peppery spice and black walnut add a nice contrast to the semi-creamy feel of the Ale.  The bitter styles complement one another during this pairing.  The coffee and semi-sweet chocolate of the Porter seems to transfer to the cigar making for an excellent pairing.  

The score for tonight's Michigan State/Ohio State College football game: Michigan State 38 Ohio State 23