Traquair House Ale - Traquair House Brewery Lld

sitbooboosit

British Columbia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a clean a clear reddish amber when poured. head settles nicely(it could be a bit thicker). Nice aroma, a little milder than expected, probably because i tried the jacobite ale first. it's an excellent scottish ale and perfect as a meal accompaniment. the flavour is strong but does not become overwhelming by the end of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2004 06:26:52 | More by sitbooboosit

ihscout426

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had read alot about this beer and wanted to try it and was fortunate to find one bottle in our local beer store. No date on the bottle.

It poured a deep dark brown and had no head in my New Belgium snifter. The smell was rich, reminding me of raisin bread that I ate as a kid.

The taste was strong roasted caramel malts and plums. There was just enough bitterness to cut the sweetnes of the malt.

A wonderful beer that I will try again whenever a rare bottle shows up here in the midwest.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2007 15:48:00 | More by ihscout426

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

matthewfuchs

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottled poured into snifter. bad pour, producing little head. smelled of caramel and subtle vanilla raisin. tasted a smooth caramel/molasses. very warming in the mouth, aftertaste was sweet but not syrup. great beer to drink slightly warmer than normal, and would be great during a winter snowstorm.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2007 04:03:06 | More by matthewfuchs

ziggy13

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Cracked open a 2003 vintage bottle of this fantastic beer.

A - A deep brown with minimal white head with almost no lacing.

S - Smell of heavy malt with nuts and that wonderful oak.

T - A very dry experience with a touch of sweetness at the end. The aging hits immediately and the fact that it's five years vintaged really comes through. Truly a beer worth of cellaring.

M - Thin in the mouth with excellent range on the palate.

D - I definitely could drink this all night. It is an unassuming beer with excellent malt characteristics. Very pleasing to the tongue.

I would highly recommend this one to anyone who can find it and, if you get the chance, save a few bottles for a few years down the road. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2008 16:50:28 | More by ziggy13

misfit1034

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into snifter a deep amber with only a faint head that made a very brief appearance. Smell reminds me of an Old Ale and Kvass. For me the first taste was almost like biting into an almost ripe apple followed by it's own bite and then a little bitterness and a little bready and then back to the apple again as a lingering finish on my palate. Has an average mouthfeel for me but suprised me a little because there is a little tingle that I would usually attribute to a fair amount of carbonation but this lacked in head enough to trick me. I really enjoy this and as far as it's classified style goes I would grab this over other Scotch Ales and Wee Heavies that I have had.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 06:32:46 | More by misfit1034

AleEvangelist

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A solid scotch ale from a scottish brewer.

Everything with this beer is top notch. American palates might not appreciate the rich, buttery, subtlety to this beer. It really is worth trying more than once.

It's gorgeously rich in its coppery, brown splendor. The flavor is definitely nuanced with figs, spicy brown sugar....nummy. Rolling this beer around your tongue is light feeling brown sugar melt in your mouth. Calming, causes you to take a deep breath and let it out slowly....really beautiful experience.

In total, American palates might feel this beer is lacking punch. I've had beers all over Scotland, and the subtlety of these beers is not to be missed. Really, once you've had a good Caledonian 80- on cask, you can begin to really appreciate what European brewers are trying to do. Very rich, very malty....gorgeous experience.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 03:38:18 | More by AleEvangelist

sfreshnock

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle

Pours a deep brown with ruby highlights. Thick off white head from somewhat aggressive pour, dissipates quickly with splotchy lacing. Sour cherries and hints of malt in the nose. Alcohol taste is next to none, i believe this is due to colder fermentation temps and cold conditioning. The pleasant sour flavor hits the tongue and is washed over by a fig like maltiness. A mild sourness remains begging for another sip. I was not expecting this beer to be as dry and thin in the mouth. The lingering sourness along with the low alcohol perception and dryness make this incredibly drinkable. Top on my list of Scottish Ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2008 05:27:29 | More by sfreshnock

SFRider

California

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Little head. Cloudy. Dark brown.

Smell: Sharp. Very distinct and musky. Some malt. Hints of a berry sweetness.

Taste: Caramel. Mildly bitter. Musky and hoppy on the breath.

Drinkability: Smooth. Medium carbonation. This was good - very drinkable

This was a great beer. Found mine at BevMo. The bottle is simple, and I was sold on it's tag line "A handmade ale brewed in the ancient brew house, in the oldest inhabited house in Scotland" (Product of Scotland) Give it a shot. I could easily keep one in the fridge for special occasions. I think this beer does well on it's own, or would make a nice compliment to BBQ, roasted veggies or red meat.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2008 01:17:25 | More by SFRider

Steve188821

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- The apperance was ruby in colour with a large head

S- The smell is of sweet malts, dark chocolate, coffee and ripe dark fruits.

T- The taste is of malts, coffee, butterscotch and a hoppy bitterness.

M- The mouthfeel is creamy and rich with low carbonation.

D- This scotch ale is very drinkable, an excellent scotch ale!

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2007 22:22:09 | More by Steve188821

blakereik

Nebraska

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For me this is he pinnacle scotch ale that is readily brewed. I have had some limited brews that I enjoyed more, but this is what you will find in my fridge on a regular visit. I still favor the Belgian ales over Scot, but would never turn this ale down.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 21:31:43 | More by blakereik

JBushEsq

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Perhaps one of the easiest beers I have ever had to drink - just an incredibly pleasant beer.

A: A nice dark red/brown that fades to tan at the edges.

S: Really subdued actually - the beer looks like it should really overpower, yet it doesn't. It has a nice malty sweetness.

T: Once again, it looks like it should be a real monster - yet the taste is just perfectly balanced - malty and a little sweet, with a bit of bitterness to it - yet none of this hits you over the head. Its not watery by any means, I could easily drink this all day in lieu of.

M: Not much carbonation to it, nor does it really need it

D: I could drink this all day - just perfectly balanced, not too strong, yet it has a ton of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 02:23:28 | More by JBushEsq

apwilla

Utah

3.25/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

this was pretty expensive, $5 for ~12oz bottle.
I picked it up randomly, just something new never seen or tried. Read the reviews before cracking it, got me excited.
It's kind of a let down, another user described it as a "watery porter," that sums it up perfectly. there's nothing really wrong with it, its just very average. there is a very very gentle smokiness, leather, tobacco, all of which i wish were just a bit more pronounced. like there are some great flavors in there, just hidden behind the weak, watery flavor and mouthfeel. Maybe its the exorbitant price that makes me expect a big beer, if this was the regular $7 or $8 for a good craft six pack, i would think it was a better deal.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 00:51:01 | More by apwilla

hopley

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A dark sweet beer, not sure I'd call it an ale. Not a huge head but nicely laced. Great mouthfeel. Not very bitter, not hoppy. At over $5 for a bottle, I 'd say you're paying a premium for uneconomical home brewing (oldest house in Scotland...) and travel across the pond. I think this is a good beer, but a little too sweet for my taste and way overpriced.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 00:10:31 | More by hopley

toutaboutstout

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Forms an 1/8th of an inch head. The apprearance is exactly what I look for in a beer(deep garnet). Thats not important though. The smell is very nutty and smokey. This seems to always be a good sign. The taste is exceptional...earthy, and smokey.

This will be a repeat buy for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2008 01:03:30 | More by toutaboutstout

jDoubleU

New York

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip. Dark cola brown with thin head and very little lacing. Very little carbonation.

The aroma was all malts. Roasted malts? Almost 'bocky'. Nothing too complex.

This is the first Scotch Ale that I've had in awhile. I've tried a few before. But my palate wasn't as refined. Pretty tasty. Though I didn't get much complexity out of this. A little vanilla. Some toffee and caramel notes. I could taste a little diacetyl. A little wood in the finish.

Maybe it was a touch old? Wasn't as rich or robust as I would've imagined. But very drinkable.

I would definitely buy another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2008 03:01:29 | More by jDoubleU

Mediczod

New York

4.73/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an outstanding Scotch Ale. Dark amber, head fades fast. Smells of malt, peat, toffee and scotch. Lightly bitter with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Very smooth. One of the better Scotch Ales out there. I hesitated at spending $7.25 for a bottle of it, but it was worth every penny. I'm buying this one again!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 00:56:07 | More by Mediczod

santanas95

New York

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured nearly opaque, with a hint of rednes if I held it up to the light. Moderate head and carbonation, left a bit of lacing.... I din't pay much attention as the smell distracted me. At first the aroma was a bit harsh of alcohol, then it calmed down to sweet malts and a caramel / toffee.
upfront the taste was smooth and malty with hints of caramel and... plum? raisin?.. some sort of fruit that made it all the more inviting. Nice little alcohol kick on the back end of the taste.
Nice alcohol warming and balance of carbonation and bitterness. Overall smooth.
I could drink this again and again. Easily quaffed brew with nothing to detract from it.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2006 03:41:11 | More by santanas95

willer

Brazil

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Dark amber/brown color with a thin tan head.

Smell - Delicate and complex blend of ripe fruits, wood, toast and pepper.

Taste - Wonderfull balance between the sweet malt and bitterness with a spicy touch.

Mouthfeel - Low carbonation and medium body.

Drinkability - Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2008 15:32:47 | More by willer

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

jcsandlin

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It pours a deep amber brown with a small pale brown head that subsides quickly, leaving islands of the larger bubbles behind.

Smell: It has a very faint aroma, but it seems spicy and woodlike, with the alcohol scent very present.

Taste: There is a light fruity and sweet taste that presents first along with a bit of caramel, but that is quickly overtaken by a more hoppy and smoky flavor. The taste is very warm from the alcohol, and the finish returns to a fruity and floral sweetness that is very pleasant for sipping. There is a bit of a bitterness in the aftertaste, almost like a strong tea.

Mouthfeel: It is a medium-bodied beer, not too high in carbonation, but still assertive on the tongue.

Overall: This is a very tasty beer, one of the best beers from Scotland I've had. It's a bit on the expensive side for regular drinking, but it is certainly one to be enjoyed occasionally. It's a great warming beer for a chilly night.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 02:50:15 | More by jcsandlin

Cheesebubble

Alberta (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The aroma of this beer is intriguing, as it suggests a blend of many flavours at work. An interesting, somewhat complex taste. Noticed the hint of raisin that others mentioned in the flavour. A pleasant surprise that goes down quite nicely. A good, smooth scotch ale (and no overt alcohol taste which is appreciated).

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 03:43:37 | More by Cheesebubble

Beguiler

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an ale to be savored not devoured. If you keep this in the fridge make sure that you let warm up to the proper serving tempature. There you will find all of the subtle tastes come out, if not this will far from impress you. This is an ale that I like to end my tastings with because if I start the evening with it very few ales can follow it.
The color is wonderful dark amber shade with a nose that to me has an almost gingerbread smell (but that is just me). The only compliant that I can find with Traquair is that the bottle is to small. I would love to find it in 750 ml bottles.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2003 15:19:22 | More by Beguiler

kcstevens

New York

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Hardly no head, semi-hard pour in to a challice. Very dark, coca-cola coloring, very little lace.
Nose: peaty, earthy, some fruity notes.
Taste: malty, peaty, and again, some fruity notes
Mouth feel: light on the carbonation, dry, tasty.
Overall: Love this beer, wished I could afford it more often. I sat and drank this, sipped this while sipping on Belvenie Scotch on the rocks, and watching NHL hockey playoffs. Doesn't get better than that.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2010 19:44:20 | More by kcstevens

spacecommander

4.9/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I no longer drink but far and away the best I ever had was the Traquair house ale. I've tried just about every thing available until 3 years ago. This was FAR and away the best ale I ever had. Second place was McEwan's Scotch Ale. Most beers are like a entree - this is a dessert. An expensive and well worth is dessert.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 04:40:27 | More by spacecommander