Traquair

Jacobite Ale

ABV 8% • Vol 330 ml • bottle • UK • Expensive • Flavour 7
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This is a Scottish spiced ale from the tiny Traquair brewery and is named to commemorate Bonnie Prince Charlie, the last person to pass through the gates of Traquair House before they were closed. It is a dark brown colour and has an immediate rich aroma of spices (coriander in particular) and heavy, sweetish malt, like molasses, with a cheesy quality. Despite the heaviness of the nose it is initially light in the mouth. However, this rapidly develops into malt and resinous oak from the fermentation vessels. There is also lots of dark fruit (plums) and possibly some lighter fruit (apples, maybe even citrus) and a phenolic touch. Plenty of spice is still present. Towards the finish the hops come through, though the malt is still dominant, leaving a slightly cloying, fruity aftertaste. Overall, this beer is very palatable; remarkably light for its strength, while remaining very pleasant and complex. It is a good example (and more obvious than most) of why Belgian breweries originally copied the Scotch ale style.

OBBD reviewer: Sparks

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Review updated 19 February 1999

Comments

This beer was nothing like anything else I have ever tasted. Although it was almost a year ago (1999) when my girlfriend gave me a bottle as a gift, it had my taste buds on their heels. I plan to taste it again to get a better grip on the taste. Excellent! A must!
Darren Dieterich

We actually had a chance to try this beer while looking for Skullsplitter and Fraoch Heather ales. We bought Jacobite ale on a whim and what a surprise! Unusual but great flavor. The taste sort of reminded me of capers. Go figure. Would love to get my hands on more.
Denise Shaw

It's digusting but gets u well pissed!
jamie

A profound ale. A perfect after dinner ale. Rich, complex and splendidly tasty. Elements of a good quality port. High marks for this: 9.
Silk Tork

I did like it, although I didn't get the more in-depth parts of the review. The things that struck me most were the vegetal aroma and taste. These made it an unusual, but very enjoyable scottish ale.
Stronk

The nose was wonderful. You could dab some behind your ears. The taste was refreshingly diffeent and definite. The spicyness was good until the last 1/3 of the bottle, where it became just a lttle too much. The finish has staying power. This is a special beer for a special occasion.
Ray Girard

This is a quite splendid beer, much in keeping with its royal heritage. It's powerful, aromatic and full of rich flavour both initially and aftertaste. Thoroughly recommended, truly in the spirit of the "King over the water."
Jack W of Kinkell

Bottle, at Haket, Göteborg. Deep reddish brown colour, creamy head. Herbal aroma, quite nice. Sweetish and herbal flavour, sourish in the finish. Not bad, but is it worth the price? Traquair House Ale is better! Rating: 6.5
Sigmund

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