Rating: 5.45/5

Samuel Smith’s Yorkshire Stingo is a 9%ABV English Strong Ale aged in oak casks

Label: 
Some of the oak casks at Samuel Smith’s date back more than a century with the individual oak staves being replaced by the Old Brewery coopers over the years. Gradually the casks soak in more & more of the character of the ale fermented in stone Yorkshire squares. Yorkshire Stingo is aged for at least a year, matured in these well-used oak casks in the brewery’s underground cellars deriving fruit, raisin, treacle toffee, Christmas pudding and slight oaky flavours, before being further naturally conditioned in bottle. Allow time for east to settle before opening then pour gently.
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This is probably considered England’s best strong ale in the world. It definitely showed it as I have never seen a barrel aged English beer at something as high as 9%ABV. The aromas are amazing. It is the very same English malt aroma but now with that bourbon, vanilla, caramel, oak, chocolate and coconut fragrance. Wow is what I would describe the scent of this beer. Other aromas of dark fruits like raisins, black and blue berries, biscuit bread, honey, apples and somewhat like barley wine. The flavors are of oak, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, strong marshmallow creme, slight coffee, slight coconut, slight flan, slight bourbon, apples, dark fruits like plums, black berries, blue berries, raisins, cookies and cream, sweet raisin and pecan bread pudding, cinnamon, flan, some what creme brulee, walnut and hazel nut creme. It is an over the top, exceptional beer. I think if it was found often, I would definitely pick it up over and over again. You can’t beat this as it goes in par with some of the best barrel aged beers out there. This beer along with organic chocolate, oatmeal stout and winter welcome are some of my favorites from this brewery along with Goblin King from Wychwood are my favorites from England. Brewdog I won’t include in the Great Britain mix as they are another Scottish story all together 😉