Traquair Jacobite Ale

Brewed by Traquair
Style: Traditional Ale
Innerleithen, Borders, Scotland

pours dark chocolate with a light tan head. aroma is sweet, spicy, malty. the flavor isthick and malty, with pepery spices floating around. the palate is thick and yeasty. teh spice does not detract from the scottish ale-ness. this is not a favorite style of mine.

Bottle from Magnum, swindon, UK. Now this is interesting. the aroma made me go "oh...?" Coriander seed is added im sure of that and maybe nutmeg but not sure. the spice sits on top of the huge earthy, musty damp smell. brown sugar and alcohol also. quite belgian. tight, slightly sweet flavour lingers with the spice.

330ml botlle acquired from Coldbrewky. Pours a hazy brown with tan head. Lazy rings of lace coat my glass. Carbonation is moderate leading to a lively mouthfeel. Nose is dark fruits & sugary candy. Butterscotch lifesavers maybe. Flavors is sweet and sugary. Cinnamon cookie? Also tastes of raisin & dates. At 8% the alcohol is well hidden. An interesting tasty brew.

Poured from a 330ml bottle and served in a shaker. This beer poured a dark brown with a few mahogany highlights and a one-finger thick head of tan foam that settled down to a thin layer that lasted throughout most of the glass. Some nice looking lacing was left behind. The aroma of the beer was made up of stong coriander, dates, raisins, sweet caramel, and brown sugar. Sweet and spicy! The flavor consisted of coriander, a strong, earthy, herbal note, dried fruits, mild citrus, chocolate, caramelized sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of alcohol. The mouthfeel was full-bodied with moderate carbonation. A very interesting beer. Maybe a touch sweet, but not cloying. Really, really tasty!!!

Clear dark brown body with a tiny beige head, quickly fades. Freshly ground coriander dominates the nose with some rye bread, toffee and dark fruits. The flavor is raisins, prunes, coriander, grainy bread and toffee. Medium/full body is a bit thin with light carbonation.

330ml Bottle: Sweet aroma. Smells of sweet malts, floral hops, fruits, grapes, berries, raisins, and a hint of smoke. Poured dark brown/ruby in color with a medium-sized, light brown head that diminished quickly. Clear. Sparkling. No lacing. Flavor is vinous. Tastes of grapes, berries, alcohol, light malts, raisins, and plastic. Light to medium body. Sticky texture. Soft carbonation. Chalky alcohol finish. Alcohol burn; boo.

Nirvana in a bottle. While Scottish, this brew is, in no way, representative of most Scottish ales. Somewhat like its sister (Traquair House Ale), but a bit darker, a bit more flavor and a bit more alcohol. While this brew uses almost the same ingredients, it’s just more "grown up"... more depth... colorwise, aromawise, and flavorwise. The Traquair brewmaster shows off his skill in the surprising use of coriander... whereas most people immediately link spices such as coriander with Belgian brews, he deftly uses it in this brew... just enough... barely there flavorwise... it seems as though he’s using it more for its ability to lighten things up... metamorphosing a beer that most people would expect to be heavy into a surprisingly light and easy to drink ale. Next time I go to Scotland I’m definately giving a visit to the Traquair House. Ultra expensive in America (if you’re lucky enough to find it)... but, well worth it.

Smelled sweet, like a bourban. Color is a dark brown, not much of a head. No lacing. Malt is the main flavor. Also some brown sugar. A little watery to be honest. Over all a good beer.