Traquair House Ale - Traquair House Brewery Lld

JosephLondon

Texas

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

What a treat this has been! I know this bottle is at least a year and a half old. I am certain this beer ceased being distributed to Texas over a year ago. There is no telling how long it has been on the shelf prior to its distribution being halted.

The appearance is nearly flawless; poured a one-finger head with great retention. It eventually melted to a thin layer in the center of the glass with thick build-up along the rim. The foam clings to the glass when tilted and when raised back to even level, the bubbles fight as they crawl their way back to the crown of the beer.

In the nose I detect sour marshmallow, almond, some type of tea maybe, black cherry tea.

The taste is wonderful, but I suspect it has mellowed quite a bit in its age and has lost its robust, full-flavored character. The taste is now mild with hints of brown sugar, some red wine, but mostly the black cherry tea mentioned in the nose.

The feel is under-carbonated but silky. It leaves the mouth somewhat moist and wanting another drink.

I had to pace myself in drinking this one to allow it to warm. I could have dusted this one quickly and reached for another.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2010 04:34:55 | More by JosephLondon

His_Royal_Hoppiness

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

06-10-2013 19:54:58 | More by His_Royal_Hoppiness

drbenderdo

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

06-08-2013 21:35:29 | More by drbenderdo

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a perfect pint.

3.25 A: Dark amber brown that is constantly changing color based on the amount and angles of light. One and a half fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is a bit below average and not much lacing is left.

4.75 S: The nose on this is incredible. I just had the Jacobite Ale not long ago and I can now smell what was under all that coriander. Powerful, yet supple peat and mineral. Molasses, caramel, and brown sugar. Oaken woodiness. Earthy and outdoorsy. Doesn't have the big, bold aromas of a lot of American brews, but it has the sophistication and integration of the Trappist brews. Really well done.

3.75 T: The taste is very good, but it's only a tenth of pleasurable as the smell. Still, it's a tasty brew. Peat and mineral. Oak and earthiness. Caramel, molasses, and brown sugar. It comes together well, but just not as well as the nose. I'm picking up a big more tannic astringency than I'd like as well.

3.5 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. A bit of tannic astringency on finish. This could benefit from some more creaminess.

3.75 D: Overall it's a pretty damn good brew. I didn't pick up any astringency in the Jacobite, so maybe this is just how this batch turned out.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 04:10:08 | More by DavoleBomb

coolandy007

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

06-06-2013 10:01:51 | More by coolandy007

EricClayton

West Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

06-06-2013 04:27:34 | More by EricClayton

nstroup

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

06-05-2013 04:02:34 | More by nstroup

rturn2

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

06-01-2013 21:38:41 | More by rturn2

paulys55

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-31-2013 13:56:10 | More by paulys55

00chris

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-27-2013 02:37:17 | More by 00chris

maltyb

Alberta (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark ruby red/chestnut colour with a tight and creamy off-white head. The head falls into some lace with a good ring.

Aroma: Estery, roasted malts and vanilla, some molasses and brown sugar.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, but surprising carbonation for it's strength. It's a bit a thin. The carbonation leaves a sharp and quick aftertaste with some astringency and a dry feeling after sipping. The alcohol gives a warmth as well.

Taste: Smokiness, reminiscent of good bourbon with a slight peatiness (explains bourbon/smoke combo). Vanilla is there, and the malts come through more, it is quite enjoyable. The aftertaste is fairly clean overall.

Overall I really enjoyed the beer, it's a good representation of the style, and a style I quite like. I wish the aroma was a bit more powerful, and the carbonation could be a bit lower with some some more thickness in the mouth, but I'd definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 21:09:29 | More by maltyb

JakeDebus

Maryland

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-24-2013 22:03:48 | More by JakeDebus

kvnstfrd

Missouri

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-23-2013 13:29:24 | More by kvnstfrd

DeekNayvuz

Montana

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-22-2013 19:23:44 | More by DeekNayvuz

510a

Washington

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-18-2013 05:31:26 | More by 510a

coz

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-18-2013 01:43:57 | More by coz

BeerRefugee

Oklahoma

3.61/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear dark red. Thin tan head that dissipates fairly quickly. Strong, sweet aroma of malt and dried fruit. Flavor is raisins, dried cherries, toast and just a hint of vanilla. A little more alcohol burn than usual for the style. Medium body. Slightly slick, oily finish and very mild carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 20:39:35 | More by BeerRefugee

hilgart1

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -34.2%

05-12-2013 02:01:59 | More by hilgart1

MCDub

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-10-2013 14:49:05 | More by MCDub

Bill235

Ohio

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-09-2013 14:43:09 | More by Bill235

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-08-2013 03:54:17 | More by dalepryor

YamagamiTravis

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-24-2013 14:25:25 | More by YamagamiTravis

Jameswoody

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

04-24-2013 05:03:43 | More by Jameswoody

Hellpop65

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

04-23-2013 22:32:20 | More by Hellpop65

SLeffler27

New York

4.31/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fills a Dogfish Head snifter with murky, ruddy brown ale and a quick, thin creamy beige head. Each swirl leaves a viscous film on the glass.

Sweet toasted malt gives way to strong fig and light sherry. Some brown sugar and cashew or hazelnut is also discernible.

Malt is up front with moist wheat bread or perhaps pumpernickel. Fruit flavors are less prominent, followed by milk chocolate that comes out after warming. There is a nice balance to the sweetness of butterscotch and dates in the mild finish.

A medium to full body with cotton texture, fizzy carbonation and light alcohol.

This is a comfortable beer with enough character to be interesting but not so much as to be distracting from other pursuits while consuming. Warmth is a good friend to this beer, which was aged four years in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 14:54:26 | More by SLeffler27