Traquair 2020 - Traquair House Brewery Lld

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 brown bottle with a best before date of April 2020.

LOOK: Hazed tawny hue, good lacing on the glass

SMELL: Figs, apple butter, Christmas pudding, slightly boozy alcohol, faint spice, vegtal hop, caramel

TASTE: Smooth, thick creaminess, very malty, caramel, nutty, grainy, earthy, leafy hops, mild twang, slow escalating alcohol warmth, figs, cotton candy, green peppercorn, biscuity, semi-sweet finish

Damn, wish I had grabbed two bottles to see where this one goes eight years later. Certainly great enough to pop open now. A solid sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 02:50:36 | More by Jason

Odysseyalien

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

04-01-2013 21:46:39 | More by Odysseyalien

straightlambic

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

03-29-2013 01:52:35 | More by straightlambic

sweemzander

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

12oz. bottle poured into a snifter. Says this was bottled in 2010, meant to be consumed before 2020. So as the brewer intended, despite me opening this now, it age for longer.

(A)- Pours a rather dark burnt sienna color. Produced a minimal tan frothy head that dissipated quickly.

(S)- An overall richness of caramel, honey, and a light biscuit-like yeast profile. Ever so slight hint at the beginnings of oxidation that brings out some really nice earthy leather notes and combines nicely with the honey and caramel malty sweetness.

(T)- Again, like the smell, a nice underlying sweet richness. Velvet-like honey and caramel malts. Subtle hints of leather/tobacco. As it warms some really nice bits of raisin and molasses show up that really adds another nice dimension to the overall taste of this.

(M)- A smooth and mellow carbonation level. The sweet richness in this is so nice since it does not overpower your tastebuds, but is balanced so well with the subtle beginnings of oxidation with the bits of leather and tobacco. Ever so mildly bitter that its almost not worth mentioning.

(O)- This is a great English style barleywine that does not get too sweet or boozy. I have not had this fresh to compare how it is now, but this is one of those beers for me that really shows even what about 2 years of aging can do to change how a beer is. Would it get better with more time? Hard to say since its in a really nice spot right now.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 20:44:39 | More by sweemzander

bespin15

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

02-28-2013 14:34:46 | More by bespin15

12owls

California

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

01-31-2013 22:35:06 | More by 12owls

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: dark, semi-turbid brown, light tan head - foam pours tall with a strong pour, medium blubby bubbles, falls rather quick, but does leave wispy swirls to the bottom and some snotty streaks of lace

S: caramel, brown sugar/black rum - cocoa powder - a little bit of whiskey? (toasted wood and grainy booze), though fairly mellow and mild - subtle hints of dark fruit...maybe a baked plum? - the chocolaty malt is quite the dominant aroma, overall

T: caramel, mild and dark vinous notes - a touch of anise woven in the back - distinctly a Traquair/Scottish flavor profile, reminiscent of their House Ale, just seemingly altered due to the higher alcohol content

M: wonderful anesthetic/sedative effect (have I eaten enough today?!) - smooth with a booze-attenuated syrupy consistency - "thin" and "light" enough - silky, but not heavy - super easy to knock back

O: very darn drinkable, of course - its construction is pleasant and solid, but arguably suffers from a little lack of depth and strained richness - as I stated, this tastes too similar to their House and Jacobite, as far as the malt profile goes (which is hardly a bad thing)

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 04:32:27 | More by Bouleboubier

spycow

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

01-14-2013 04:34:17 | More by spycow

tjmodica

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

01-14-2013 01:59:47 | More by tjmodica

FlussigkeitMut

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

11-10-2012 23:53:50 | More by FlussigkeitMut

claspada

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque brown color with amber hues along the edges and a small amount of frothy off-white head that dissipates to leave some lacing.

Aromas begin with intense dark fruits and caramel maltiness. Its a sweet bready, toasty maltiness but has a definitive fruity component with plums and almost vinous red wine notes.

The tastes follow the nose with copious amounts of toasted brown bread, molasses, caramelized sugars and dark fruits. The flavors are sweet, but surprisingly not overly so as many beers of the style and ABV can be. As it warms it gets a bit woody and vinous, bordering tannic, with potent plum and fruit skins.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with an expectedly lower amount of carbonation. Finish is fruity with surprisingly low perceieved alcohol.

Overall I am very impressed with this offering from Traquir as I have been with all their bottled beers. I was afraid from the appearance and the aromas that this would be too cloying sweet and alcoholic but it was neither which is a true testiment to a quality brewery. I'm not sure if this weill hold up until 2020 but I plan to try to find more in the near future to test out the theory.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 19:57:06 | More by claspada

Corkpuller

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A really unique and deftly balanced beer. Profound and complex with a soft, soothing texture. The aromas shift seamlessly between fruity yeast driven esters of white grape, coconut/banana, fennel and malt driven bread pudding, chocolate and brown sugar.

If I was forced to blind guess the style of this beer I would have trouble. It's equal parts Barley wine, quad and porter. That is not to say that it lacks focus. I really like it.

The mouth feel is surprisingly light with just enough alcohol kick. Not at all solventy.

My bottle shows no sign of oxidation and actually drinks fairly young. I see no problem for this to age 10 years.

I will be buying 6 bottles.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 19:43:29 | More by Corkpuller

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured into duvel glass.

Appearance: brown body with a cranberry red hue. Almost 2 fingers of offwhite head that drops to a thin cap.

Smell: The nose is sweet, fruity, spicy, and vinous. Almost reminicent of a Wee Heavy beer minus the smoke.

Taste: Low end of moderately sweet malt profile that goes right into a strong fruity note about the middle of the beer. Hints of brown sugar, candied sugar, and caramel; but its even more fruity than the beer is malty sweet. I am getting a mixture of raisins, prunes, red apples, red grapes, pears, and white grapes. The beer finishes with an estery, vinous, and spicy, alcohol burn that is a touch stronger than subtle yet not quite to the moderate level.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. This drinks pretty easy for a 10% ABV beer. A touch of heat from the beer, but thats to be expected within the style/ABV that this beer proclaims to be affixed to.

Overall: This is a nice beer, but I can't say its an english barleywine. Its so much more fruity than it is malty sweet; so it reminds me more of a Scottish Wee Heavy especially in the flavor profile of the beer. More caramel, toffee notes is to my liking for an english barleywine. I speculate that since this beer was made in scotland the yeast strand from that beer region imparts the fruity flavors and nose found in this beer that are similiar to a Scottish Wee Heavy style beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 12:28:23 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Immortale25

Florida

3.83/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a Saint Somewhere wine-style glass. Label says brewed in 2010.

A- Pours a dark brown somewhat opaque color with a 1/4 inch tan head that quickly dissolves and becomes a thin ring around the edge of the glass. Light surface foam and unimpressive lacing.

S- Soft roast in the nose with notes of milk chocolate and traces of oxidation. Some alcohol plus some sherry-like sweetness.

T- Smooth roast leaning toward the nuttier side of things with less oxidation sensed than in the aroma. Alcohol is very subdued allowing for multiple sips in a short time-span. More notes of sherry plus some cocoa. Hardly any hop bitterness.

M- Creamy, slick and deep. Low carbonation and a hefty body.

O- Glad I didn't let this go any longer since there are clearly signs of oxidation. The label implies that it can be aged up until 2020 but I beg to differ since there's not enough alcohol. And, although the English barleywines aren't traditionally more hop forward, there isn't enough hop content for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 02:47:29 | More by Immortale25

stxSS07

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

07-15-2012 04:41:03 | More by stxSS07

JHarris1717

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-09-2012 10:42:34 | More by JHarris1717

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep amber to brown in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, small notes oak and peet, with a light roast and notes of caramel. In the taste, a small alcohol presence, and nice roast, and a pleasant caramel presence. A small bite and a medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel, with a dry oak and small alcohol presence in the aftertaste. A bit alcoholic, but a nice sipper.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 19:29:52 | More by OWSLEY069

daysinthewake

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-23-2012 14:47:46 | More by daysinthewake

Romulux

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-20-2012 20:41:21 | More by Romulux

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-15-2012 00:54:35 | More by TonyTalon

shleepy

California

3.43/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle info snifter glasses. Bought at Whole Foods in San Ramon, CA.

A: A good, brown color. Small-medium off-white head.

S: Molasses, and either oakiness, a spice, or both.

T: Hot alcohols come though, just a little bit. A lightly (hazel)nutty sweetness. Does not finish clean because of the alcohol.

M: Fairly heavy-bodied. Low-medium carbonation.

O: I remember liking the House Ale more. I think this one is too high ABV to be very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 03:43:30 | More by shleepy

jibbyvonjibb

California

3.58/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Mahogany brown color. Clear. Small head.
S: Strong toffee. Licorice. Bourbon, which makes me suspect that it has been aged in barrels. Molasses. Baked bread. Figs. Some alcohol. More intense than the house Traquair which I found to be more fruity.
T: Alcohol quite noticeable up front. Mollasses-like sweetness. Caramel. Finishes with a raw grain astringency.
M: Full body. Medium carbonation. Creamy, like a toffee candy.
O: An interesting, complex beer, but not as drinkable as the lighter version, which has more balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 03:39:47 | More by jibbyvonjibb

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was dumb and didn't buy this about 6 months ago when I had my first chance. So I see a single bottle and snatch it up without hesitation farther down the road. And now I'm cracking open the only bottle I'll probably ever get. I feel like I'm about to hear the theme song for the "real men of genius" any second now.

This beer is smooth. Very well made. I don't really get a high amount of distinct character, but the thing that I think about while I drink it is that it's a true barleywine. It's a shame I don't have more to let rest for a while to see how they develop as I am certain it would be interesting to see. I guess that's what I can say most about this: that it is well enough made to let age and develop into something genuinely serious.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 04:59:23 | More by RblWthACoz

jtingue

New York

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance. Deep, but clear, mahogany red in color. Pours with one and a half fingers of head that stick around for quite a while. Some lacing on the side of the glass, but nothing spectacular.

Smell. Very fruity, as one would expect, with very ripe prune and raisin. Joining the fruit is some substantial molasses like sweetness. A slight metallic astringency is there in the background along with some alcohol.

Taste. Starts out with sweet, estery, fruits, again with prune and raisin. Some huge, candy like sweetness cuts the fruits and overwhelms the palate. Some slight detection of alcohol, but just enough to warm it up a bit and not to cause any sort of burn. Some of that metallicness come through here as well, not sure quite how else to describe it. The finish sees the return of some of the fruits, along with a minimal amount of bitterness.

Mouthfeel. Thick in body with light carbonation, but enough to give it a very creamy mouthfeel. The warming of the alcohol, as stated before, contributes in a good way.

For me this one is quite enjoyable, maybe not worth the 12 dollars I paid for it, but still enjoyable. I wish I could expound more on the metallic note, but I cant really describe it. That is the only hickup in the beer, for me. This does have 2 years of age on it however, so who knows how it was stored...

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 00:09:35 | More by jtingue

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

330 mL bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Deep garnet body with flecks of red in the light. Nice off-white head. Small, but appropriate. Mostly wisps of bubbles after a few moments. Some foam does cling to the glass, surprisingly, especially as I swirl it.

Smell - Rich, molasses flavors dominant. Good dark fruits almost as strong. A touch metallic at the end of the nose. Smells really nice, aside from a touch of impurity.

Taste - The sweetness comes through a bit more, but it's not too much. The molasses flavor is a nice complement to the fruitier aspects. There's a lingering bitterness that manifests itself as a bit earthy, but adds a nice backdrop for the malts. As it warms, there's a distinct diacetyl flavor in the finish. A bit of the scotch ale coming through? It shouldn't be there, I suppose, but I don't mind it.

Mouthfeel - Remarkably light for a 10% barleywine. Not what I expected. Too light, really, as the flavors drop off and almost nothing lingers on the palate. Makes me want to drink it faster, but it's still not a light beer.

Overall - Good flavors. I don't see this improving with age, despite its name. Even with a nice flavor, it lacks the depth to be truly delicious.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 01:01:16 | More by Alieniloquium