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Traquair
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Traquair, House Ale (Scotland) 
The House Ale is a dramatically dark, almost black beer with a hint of caramel at the core. The dense head is creamy and cappuccino-coloured. On the nose it is very serious, deep and intense, with some plummy fruit, charred toast and a black chocolate note. There's a herbal or vegetal note too, in a very complex profile. On the palate it is densely textured and smooth, with a fabulous depth of bittersweet flavours that are toasty and smoky, with aspects of exotic spices, Pedro Ximinez sherry and a Port-like, slightly firey finish. This is a beer to sip (at room temperature) and contemplate rather than to quaff, and is another terrific effort from Traquair. 7.2% ABV, 33cl, �1.89, Peckhams, independents.  |  |
Traquair, The Lairds Liquor (Scotland)
This fantastically aromatic beer from Traquair, with 500 years of brewing history, is the perfect answer to anyone who thinks all beers smell and taste the same. It is a singular beer, that pours a nut brown colour with a thick, cream-coloured head. The nose has sweet malt and biscuit notes, but also vegetal, pungent notes, gingerbread and plummy fruit. On the palate it is very smooth and mouth-filling, with again a real vegetal streak along with chewy malt and a bitter back-stop of burnt orange and hops. Great character and length here too. 6.0% ABV, 33cl, �1.89, Luvians, Peckhams. |  |
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