Traquair Jacobite Ale

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

Realizing that for all I had quaffed of the Traquair House Ale, I had yet to sup on their equally divine Jacobite Ale; ale brewed with hops, malt, yeast, water, and coriander. Simple is best, and I have a feeling that he is going to sweep me off my feet, and my life will never be the same.

Deep browns, blacks, and burnt mahogany settles into my glass underneath a shy khaki head which lingers as a thin layer. No lace yet, but with a couple tender swirls, fragile lace leave their mark on my glass. I raise his liquid nirvana to my nose, and the first and only thing I can think of to say is: Wow! Awesome! Heavenly! I am swept away beyond what words can describe, but I am going to try. Ooey gooey sticky dark fruits: dates, plums, prunes, figs, raisins. Rich Swiss chocolates melt under the warmth of her gaze, drowning sweet black cherries while truffles make sweet love to toffee and caramel nougat. Prune juice, anise, chocolate pudding and pudding bread lead into a dry bitter chocolate finish which is all Hershey’s syrup and coffee. Permeating his nose is coriander, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I’m not sure what I have done of late to deserve such a perfect presentation of Beervana, but I am not going to count my luck. Judging by his nose, my first sup of Jacobite Ale must come under eyes closed, heightening my sense of smell and taste. As his dark nectar hits my lips, a chill runs from the tip of my toe to the top of my head. Goosebumps tingle and hairs stand on end. Clean and smooth, he is delicately sweet with toffee and caramel chocolate truffles melting in my mouth, sending shivers up and down my spine. I pause before exhaling cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander. The Hershey syrup adds a touch of roughness to his palate which complements the darker, dryer side of fresh brewed coffee and espresso. His middle is a juicy chewy cornucopia of the moistest dates, prunes, plums, figs, and raisins. Chocolate mousse, pudding bread, and holiday spices marked by coriander continue to fill out his palate. Rich and enveloping, I am drowning in sweet ecstasy. The Jacobite Ale is not cloying in any way, shape, fashion, and form. His palate is rich, but his body and mouthfeel is light, clean, and exquisitely balanced. My lips become coated with dry earthy finish even as prune juice lingers in with a supple kiss. I don’t want this moment to end, but all good things must eventually come to an end, I suppose. That hasn’t stopped me from stocking my cellar with 6 more bottles, though.

The Traquair House Jacobite Ale is heaven descended, and I pray that Traquair never stops making this beer, or any of their beers for that matter. The “big” players can go fly a kite, and I hope they get carried away into the atmosphere by a freak storm, never to return. Jacobite has reminded me all over again why Beer is so much more than just a beverage: it is Passion personified.

A bottle 0.33L from Alko. Malty nose. Dark reddish brown colour. Pale beige head. Mild soft taste. Some hints of coffee. Not sweet. Varming alcohol. Spicy taste with some raisin notes. Slightly medicinlike.

Dark brown pour, dense tan head. Nose is vinous. Flavor reminds me a lot of a very nice port. A hint of bitterness in the aftertaste balances the flavor well. I have to agree with nqualis, I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to try this excellent beer.

A clear dark red/brown colored beer, with a thick foamy beige head. The aroma of dark fruits like prune, with some smoke and dark malts. The taste is dry chocolate with dark fruits like prune and some spices. The aftertaste is warm, bitter, a little sweet and some spices.

Source:12 oz bottle purchased in Chattanooga.
Glass:Pint.
Appearance:Dark brown pour with a thin off white head.
Aroma:Caramel malt, spices and dark fruits.
Flavor:Caramel malt base with a huge dark fruit presence, sherry and port with a spicy finish.
Palate:Medium/full body with soft carbonation.
Overall:Excellent brew. Not sure why I waited so long to try this.

Dark dark red, nearly black, with a one-finger creamy tan head, good retention and little lacing. Molasses, coriander, and subtle licorice aromas, all of which are present in the flavor profile as a background to the rich maltiness. Chocolate and coffee make an appearance late. Silky creamy mouthfeel, little carbonation, slightest hops bitterness, and a lingering spiciness in the aftertaste. Alcohol is subtle but warming.

2004 Bottle. Snifter, Interestig head, large bubble, in a shortly lingering head. The nose is an odd melange of coriander, sherry oxidation(soured toffee, think Oloroso), and silky sweet malt. In all honesty, the whole lot smells like fresh blueberries. I can’t explain that one. The palate is amazingly lithe and and rolls across the palate as the etheral spice tickles the tongue. Yes, you will have to get over a small amount of oxidation, but I’m really starting to think that it’s beginning to blow off. Maybe I’m just getting over it myself? Blueberries seem to meld into more green vegetale spice. the oxidation begins to smell of an old leather jacket. Not bad. After the fancy foot spice fades the palate is left with a touch of brown bread and roasted malt that add a certain complexity that draws the quaffer back for another thought. This beer, at this age very much reminds me of drinking an old vintage port. Alcohol warmth only speaks as it closes the door and the chest is warmed. Scotland indeed. While a little oxidized, this beer scores major points with it’s development over 5 years. I don’t think this any more age and honestly, it probably hit it’s stride around 3 years. Loses some points for price. 90