Traquair Jacobite - Traquair House Brewery Lld

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Traquair Jacobite side-by-side. One assumed 2009 vintage (Best Before June 2019) and one assumed 2004 vintage (Best Before June 2014). Each poured into wide snifter glasses.

2009:

...very dark brown pour with a crackling 3/4" of light beige head. The head doesn't want to sit entirely still. 3.5

Dark sweet malts with notes of butterscotch, licorice, caramel, coriander, vanilla, and a sweet hint of alcohol. Slight herbal note is close to pine, among the malt mix mind you, and is muchly reminiscent of hops. Pretty dreamy smelling, I must say. 4.5

Somewhat attenuated flavor here. Some burnt chocolate, raisin, and brown sugar. Dusty flavors that carry into the mouthfeel. A little more attenuated than I was expecting. Mostly wet grains, roastiness, a bit of peat, cocoa, and sparse dried fruits. Presence of coriander seems a bit strange in confluence with the other flavors. Finishes with some firm bitterness, at least for a Wee Heavy. 3.5

A little watery-feeling, but the body is solidly medium. Not gluggy or thick. Light carbonation tickles for a split-second before going away. Pretty easy to drink for the style. 4.0

The '09 has the stuff necessary to develop into something fuller-flavored and succulent. Still growing. The coriander needs to back off. 4.0

2004:

...nearly identical almost-black deep brown color with a loose-bubbled 1/2" of head that fell down to a myriad of large bubbles on the surface and skewed to one side of the glass. 3.5

Surprisingly, less buttery flavors and less caramel. Big whiff of artificial grape reminds me of Fruit Roll-Ups. Nope, it's a grape/chocolate mix. It smells like Grape Tootsie Roll Pops. Exactly. Some other dark fruits become unearthed such as black raspberry, prune, and raisin. More toffee than caramel. Less noticable alcohol than the '09. 4.5

Vinous. Raisined grape flavors dominate with subtle alcohol supporting. Some pretty rich roasted flavors of dark chocolate, licorice, coffee, peat smoke, and prunes. Definitely developed nicely. Not to say the '09 was watery, but this one has rounded out fully. Coriander snaps in with an herbal/medicinal bite. Less roasty bitterness. 4.0

Smooth silky feel, yet with a firm body. Very low carbonation. Rolls off the tongue and down the hatch. Warming in the stomach. 3.5

A great-drinking '04 Jacobite. Wonderfully complex. Vinous and daring. Proving that time was very good to this beer. Worth stashing away for the reward. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 03:46:54 | More by thecheapies

nmbr0ne

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into snifter.

Appearance: Coudy brown body. Looks like murky water. Tiniest bit of head with no retention. Not that much lacing at all.

Smell: Dark fruit, sweetness, peat, smoke, molasses, scotch, toffee.

Taste: A bit sweet, hoppy bitterness as well. Smells a lot better than it tastes.

Mouthfeel: Thin, light, feels a bit watered down to be honest. Light carbonation.

Overall: Slightly disappointed with this bottle. I was expecting more. The aromas were incredible though.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 20:18:56 | More by nmbr0ne

bluHatter

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Smoggy black/brown, with just a little head. Cola-like bubbles.

S: Very aromatic. The best smelling beer I've ever tried. It's difficult to describe, but there are very sweet notes in there along with molasses and balanced perfectly with a light, smooth scotch. Wow.

T: Remarkably, it tastes as good as it smells, but with even more flavors and complexity mixed in. Scotch notes are on the front, but they quickly fade into the most amazingly smooth, delicious, sweet molasses, buttery savory flavor... It's fantastic.

M: Well balanced carbonation, full bodied ale.

O: A bit pricey, but well worth the price of admission. This ale stands on a level all its own. I've often found "Wee Heavy" style ales to be a little too harsh, but this is so well balanced and smooth that you could easily mistake it for a much lighter ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:05:36 | More by bluHatter

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.58/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass...

P: Thick light tan cola head setting atop of a dark brown ale with glistening red tint. Cloudy when held to the light. Head stays around for a while the leaves a thin layer behind.

S: Sweet bourbon right from the start, rich roasted malts, cherry, raisins, and oak followed by spices and carameled bananas.

T/M: A playful light medium, tongue numbing, burst of toffee, coriander and cold bitter coffee. Similar to cherry cola with compliments of dry hay, orange rind bitters, a tad salty with a lingering bourbon finish that warms on the way down.

O: A fantastic rendition of this terrific style. Loads of flavors that all marry together to deliver a smooth warming brew that leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 23:16:08 | More by Hopswagger

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark copper colour with a mahogany hue, finger of head with some retention and no real lacing.

S - Butterscotch and toffee, hints of musty malts, leather, hints of orange rind, peppery spice, coriander and leafy greens.

T - Given the complexity of the nose, the scotch ale characteristics came through nicely with the bready caramel and toffee leading alongside a hint of peat. The fruity orange rint and peppery coriander spice come through and linger on the palette.

M - Medium bodied, smooth, though finishes a tad dry with a hint of ABV heat.

O - A tasty scotch ale with some complex flavours. This one is certainly unique and well worth a try. I would've liked to pick up a few extras because it's a great brew to start the night off with.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 22:55:15 | More by andrenaline

jimithebeerguy

Ontario (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a delicious little strong beer. Immediately noticeable upon opening is the fresh and very aromatic smell that this beer releases.

The taste is complex....a bit of toffee, cocoa, some whiskey and maybe a fruitty bit too....definitely complex.

Not overly boozy tasting and makes a great sipping beer.

The beer is around 8% so not a lite one for sure....

nice after taste and the beer pours dark golden coppery

nice to put into your mouth and nice to smell as you drink

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 22:52:28 | More by jimithebeerguy

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

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

BBE Jul 21 (July 2021????)

Pours a very dark toffee colour, a bit maroon. A moderately sized tan head sits atop with lots of active bubbles. Moderate lacing.

Smell contains toffee, sweet bready malt, molasses, coriander, a bit of dark fruit.

Taste is similar to the nose. Burnt toffee, biscuity malt, molasses, coriander, brown sugar. Quite sweet.

Moderate carbonation, medium bodied. Quite chewy, fairly smooth.

Overall, nice in every respect but not a standout in any of them. I have to admit that Scotch ales are not my favourite styles, but this is a pretty good example.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 03:57:56 | More by jrenihan

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle into a wine glass

A - dark brown body with a hint of purple in it. small lightly browned head fades quick with minimum lacing.

S - malt, molasses, peet, scotch, caramel, toffee, wood, spice, grass and floral hops.

T - rose pedals, coriander, dark fruit, wood, peet, burnt malts, some mild grass hops in the back.

M - medium to full bodied with medium to high carbonation. some very mild astringency and a tiny bit of alcohol felt on the throat.

O - a finely done wee heavy. not my absolute favorite but definitely up there.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 23:09:39 | More by celticfutblclub

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"Best before June 2019"...Am I drinking this too early?

Creamy biege head that leaves a slippery blanket (and a permanent ring) of lace after each sip. The broth is dark ruby-brown where light shines through easily. Appears to be clear.

Brown sugar aroma with a floral touch. My first thought was heather, but surely that is from my preconceptions of the style.

Mildly burnt/richly toasted malt sugars. Think overdone caramel. Interesting and delicious. This beer is balanced but entirely through the choices of malts. It's sweet chocolate with a treacle element. If there is hop, it is not noticeable. The aftertaste is longlasting and reminds me of the after effects of eating bitter, dark chocolate. The carbonation is quite high, which does balance the heavier liquid.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 21:50:44 | More by smcolw

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Year old 330ml bottle enjoyed in a tulip

Pours a deep dark ruby brown with a small tan head that recedes quickly.

The aroma on this beer is quite remarkable. I get toffee, butterscotch, cocoa, a little booze and some red grapes at the end. I get a little Belgian abbey impression from this beers aroma.

On the palate, theres more of the same - plus some extras. Roasted malt, toffee, dry sweet smoke, dates. The yeast used in this beer is really impressive, makes itself known yet not overpowering. A little boozy warmth comes out as the beer warms.

In the mouth the beer seems a little thin. Would really appreciate some more chewiness here, but oh well.

Terrific. Seems like one of those educational beers that needs to be tried on the path to become an ultimate beer guru. Will definitely seek this beer out again and perhaps experiment with some aging.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 09:22:53 | More by

ikantspel

California

3.9/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle served into a russian river goblet

best by date of June 2019 on the side

my first beer in a long while.

pours a dark burnt copper with a refined head.

smells like a stout. citrus, malts, chocolate, corriander, and coffee

ridiculously smooth. follows the nose. more corriander and a slightly hoppy finish. almost like a flat cola

my first foray into scotch ales. im impressed. these beers seem to be more refined.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 05:07:29 | More by ikantspel

PeerlessMark

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought as a single for $2.95 at the LCBO December 2011. Ingredients are listed as being: Strong Beer and Coriander... lol

The label calls it a potent spiced ale [brewed] to a traditional fine recipe.

Pours a darkish coffee brown colour with ample two fingers of head into a tulip glass. Good lacing down the glass and a thick collar and veil of head after it dies down a bit. I was expecting a lighter colour as for some reason I thought this was a belgian ale when I bought it.

In the nose I get a bit of vanilla, a lot of roast chocolate. The spice really jumps out at you especially after a quick swirl. There is a hint of sweet pollen and brown sugar.

The first taste is not at all what I was expecting. I am going to eat a cracker to try and cleanse my palate and try again.

I still keep expecting the dark belgian ale banana citrus flavour to kick in as it is a style I've been drinking a lot of recently. This beer is not like any I've had before. I'm going to buy some coriander next time I'm at the store to see if that is the flavour I'm picking up.

I'm really struggling to be more descriptive here. It is incredibly drinkable, very enjoyable. I taste the booze, like a smokey whiskey but its never offensive. I get a bit of dark sour toffee in the finish.

Mouthfeel is super pleasant, the carbonation hits me right in the sweet spot and only a slight cloying in the back of the mouth that allows the flavour to linger. There are no downsides to how this goes down, consistent the whole way though and flavourful throughout.

Overall I'm new at enjoying this flavour and am glad this beer has risen in the province. I'm glad I bought a handful as I'll come back to this and edit my review on further tastings.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 03:31:11 | More by PeerlessMark

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Plum-reddish colour with a two-finger dense and creamy foam head that takes on an eggshell hue. Very good retention and nice lacing down the glass.

S: Brown sugar, lots of dried dark fruits (cherries, dates, raisins), molasses, fruity hops, and a roasted almond aroma. Quite smooth and mellow on the nose.

T: Very smooth and well balanced. Slightly caramel-like malts and fruity (near tropical) hops in what tastes like even proportions. Subdued elements of dried dark fruits and nutmeg. Very nice.

M: Medium body with a low-moderate carbonation. Syrupy texture with a surprisingly clean finish.

D: Quite well done in my opinion and something I'd like to taste again. Not quite as heavy as other scotch ales, which leads this to be very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 02:37:46 | More by Digimaika2

Kartoffeln

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear, dark mahogany with a modest but dense head of creamy tan foam. Solid retention, gradually dissipating to a healthy ring and leaving plenty of spotty lacing.

S: The coriander and faint orange aromas are immediately noticeable, but they're mild and complement the malty, fruity nose. Sweet toffee and biscuity malts with treacle, coffee, butterscotch, and cocoa notes blend with dark fruit aromas of plums and candied figs. Faint grassy hops.

T: Sweet toffee malts with a bit of biscuitiness, a toasted grain note, and mild, fruity spiciness gives way to robust flavours of coriander and dark fruits, particularly plums, with a bittersweet citrus undertone. Peppery spiciness and earthy, herbal hops with the stylistic signature of tea-like astringency crop up in the finish with a chocolatey malt note.

M: Medium-bodied with creamy, modest carbonation; pretty easy-drinking but a much thinner mouthfeel than expected, altogether. The balance is superb, with a complex bittersweet finish, and the ABV is very well-masked.

D: Besides the fact that it's a damn good wee heavy and perfect for winter, you should buy it and taste it simply because words can't really do justice to the complexity of the taste profile. It needs a heavier, fuller mouthfeel, but otherwise it's fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 01:18:28 | More by Kartoffeln

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark ruby colour with steely brown highlights and a moderate tan coloured head that survives as a collar whilst leaving little in the way of lacing. Quite a unique look, almost like a marble.

Faint aroma when first poured (I likely poured it too cold). I get a sweet, syrupy toffee note, a floral tone and a slightly peppery spiciness. Wood comes through after warming and the toffee smell really blossoms.

The toffee-like sweetness returns in the taste, along with a strong wood tone, a plum-like fruitiness, roasted coffee and chocolate. Very nice, with a dry, peppery finish

Medium body with a moderate carbonation. A bit of pop before a yeasty, yet slightly oily sensation passes over the tongue. Bitter aftertaste with syrupy and woody notes.

I'm not too familiar with this style, this may even be my first Wee Heavy review, but I genuinely like this ale. It doesn't overpower with the sweet, syrupy characteristics and has just the right amount of spice. Very nice cold weather sipper I'll keep an eye out for in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 18:27:00 | More by bryehn

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

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

Pours a bit dark for a scotch ale. Decent head and lacing.

The aroma is somewhat standard for a scotch ale with the exception of a litter hop spiciness and more spice in general.

The taste is a tad light, but due to that the drinkability is definitely heightened. While not lacking flavor, the flavor it has is very much background. Nothing really comes at you in an intense way unless you swish it around.

The mouthfeel has an average weight to it with a medium full body. Carbonation is incredibly smooth in this, and the drink just slides around gracefully. The finish is dry and slightly sticky.

Overall, this was what I'd consider a good mold for the style. It avoids the flaws of being too sweet and harsh like some scotch ales, but it could do a bit more to make itself memorable.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 01:12:48 | More by BBP

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: It has a nice dark brown color to it with some ruby/amber hues coming through. It has a nice tan head that dies down moderately and leaves very little lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of roasted malts, caramel, toffee, dark fruit and spices.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a nice sweet and rich character to it, nice roasty malts accompanied by vanilla and caramel, nice dark fruit notes, nice spicy notes and a light bitterness.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium/high carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 20:31:51 | More by SebD

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- a perfect pour of a thick two finger beige head that was well retained atop a deep brown ruby highlighted body. Lots of lacing and just a generally nice looking brew.

S - sweet caramel malt and sugar, dark fruit with some booze. Some milk chocolate.

T - caramel malt, vanilla and brown sugar, herbal - perhaps the coriander, some booze and dark fruit (plum), mild hops. The abv is well masked.

M - this is a medium bodied brew with little carbonation. It is sweet but not overly so, and somewhat dry and refreshingly sour. It is creamy and very smooth.

O - an excellent wee heavy - I am really starting to dig this style.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 12:26:58 | More by Stocean1

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - ruby-tinted dark brown in colour. A head begins to form, but disipates almost before I am fnished pouring.

Smell - coriander, candied peel, sugarplum, and dark rum.

Taste - Rich deep malts with dark fruit flavours, wood, coriander, and a bright orange note breaking through the darkness.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 00:13:47 | More by

scott451

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A one finger bubbly tan head on a very dark clear ruby. The head soon dissipates to a tiny ring. Some patchy lacing.

Mild sweet malt smells. Tastes of old fruit, some spices and a mild hop finish. The flavours are well melded so it’s hard to pick out individual flavours.

Very smooth and rounded. Well balanced with no rough edges. A fine Wee Heavy. A perfect winter sipping by the fire drink

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 03:32:55 | More by scott451

heygeebee

Australia

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a lovely deep mahogany. Oh! if only the head had stayed.

Aromas of toffees, caramel, vanilla, malts, brown sugar.

Taste is a rich tapestry of all of the above with an alcoholic warmth coming through. Very full bodied with a lingering warm aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is full and somewhat sticky.

One of the better Wee Heavys I have had.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 10:32:12 | More by heygeebee

Dawkfan

Alberta (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- This deep dark brown almost black Scotch Ale went into my snifter glass. Fast falling light beige head , just a wimper of lacing.

S- Smells of dark berries, cherries, brown sugar and molasses. Very faint aromas of spice, corriander not being one of them. Slight alcoholic edge as well.

T- Fruits are riding the coattails of the sweet sugary malt. Definitely getting some of the corriander mid mouth. A slight tingle of pepper along with some bittering hops in the finish that hang around on the tongue.

M- I thought this could of had a heavier feel, but it was somewhat sticky. The carbonation stands out a little to much and tingles the tongue if let to sit.

O- Just not as bold as I like my Scotch ales, decent enough but I'd skip this and grab their House Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 00:53:54 | More by Dawkfan

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.33/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle, found in Las Vegas and brought home to the UK 18 months ago: I figured it will have settled by now.

Poured into my Westmalle chalice: Ruby red with only a thin collar and mini wisp for a topping.

The smell at first was vinous, then comes dark chocolate, red berries and plum bread all at once, lovely.

This is my sort of beer, rich, almost smooth: the semi-sharpness of the hop bitterness reminds you this isn't supposed to be soft, it's a Scotch Ale not a Milk Stout! There are a multitude of flavours to find: spices from the Orient, berries from the forest, dried fruits in a Christmas cake, malts from a distillery, haggis from the hills. Take a sip and close your eyes, wonderful: let your taste buds go crazy.

This is a warming, winters brew and so, so well made: the alcohol is well hidden, comes out towards the end of the drying mouth, but not harsh or unpleasant, just letting you know that the car keys should be given to someone else.

If only the beer looked better in my glass (I do love a proud, deep head on my beers).

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 20:43:51 | More by BlackHaddock

eric5bellies

Australia

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

Drank from my Duvel tulip

A - Pours a dark Mahogany colour, with an off White cramy head that reduces quite quickly.

S - Aromas are roasted malt and whiskey booze and sweet vanilla.

T - Up front some really nice vanilla malts followed by some roast perfectly balnced sweetness and a little smoke. The finish is very long and smooth. The booze is present but complimentry not out of place.

M - Medium to full body with light to medium carbonation.

O - A very tasty wee heavy and recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 13:50:00 | More by eric5bellies

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz to my pint glass. Kinda poured aggressively a dark chocolate brown & a monster khaki head to top it off. Small amount of lacing at best, but the booze sticks to the glass.

The nose is literally a sugar coated olfactory orgasm. This is possibly the best smelling beer I have ever laid nostrils on. Rum soaked chocolates with burnt caramel and toffee and a really sweet candy spice that just tips it off the scales!

Introduced formally to my taste buds in a spicy caramel and malty form. Very sweet malts play through to a nutty quality that compliments rather nicely. Out back, waiting to kick your fucking ass is a booze burn with a rum-like character. Dont worry, the ass-whooping isnt too bad. Lighter mouthfeel makes the drinkability high - danger!

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 01:39:38 | More by hoptualBrew