La Trappe Quadrupel - Oak-Aged
Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

La Trappe Quadrupel - Oak-AgedLa Trappe Quadrupel - Oak-Aged
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From:
Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.
 
Netherlands
Style:
Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #13
ABV:
11%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,430
Avg:
4.29 | pDev: 10.96%
Reviews:
192
Ratings:
623
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 07, 2024
Added:
Nov 06, 2009
Wants:
  178
Gots:
  205
In 2009, the Koningshoeven brewery reinstated an age-old tradition: aging La Trappe Quadrupel in oak barrels (also known as ‘barriques’).

This way of aging ale results in a unique, complex flavour, which varies from one type of barrel to another. Quadrupel can be conserved for many years, and is a real treat for true ale enthusiasts. And this is yet another ale that continues to ferment after bottling, while its rich taste and high tannin content are likely to even surprise many a wine drinker!

BATCH 1 (blended on June 1, 2010).
New Oak Heavy Toast - 18.2%
New Medium Acasia - 9.1%
Port Medium Burnt - 36.4%
Port Medium Toast - 36.4%

BATCH 2 (blended on July 26, 2010).
New Medium Oak Toast - 9%
Port Medium Burnt Toast (Amer. Oak) - 64%
Port Medium Burnt Toast (French Oak) - 9%
Port Medium Toast (French Oak) - 18%

BATCH 3 (blended on September 17, 2010).
New Oak Medium Toast - 18%
Port Medium Toast (French Oak) - 55%
La Trappe Q. Medium Toast (French Oak) - 27%

BATCH 4 (blended on 5 November 2010).
New Oak Medium Toast - 27%
Port Medium Toast (French Oak) - 9%
La Trappe Q. Medium Toast (French Oak) - 18%
La Trappe Q. Medium burnt (Amer. Oak) - 36%
New Oak Heavy Toast - 10%

BATCH 5 (blended on January 25, 2011):
New Oak Heavy Toast - 20%
White wine used Oak Heavy Toast - 80%

BATCH 8 (blended in October 2011):
Whiskey - 70%
New Fr. Oak Medium Toast - 30%

BATCH 14 (blended on June 24, 2013).
Acacia Wood - 7%
New Oak Barrels - 11%
Limousine Barrels with Cognac - 82%

BATCH 16 (blended in March 2014)
Brandy 36,5%
Oloroso 27%
New Oak Medium Toast 10%
New Oak High Toast 10%
Late Burgundy 10%

BATCH 23
80% Spätburgunder
10% New Oak (Medium Toast)
5% New Oak (High Toast)
5% Acacia Wood

BATCH 28
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Single Malt 71%
New Oak Medium Toast 29%

BATCH 30
Cachaça 80%
New Oak Medium Toast 20%

BATCH 33:
Bourbon US 80%
New Oak Medium Toast 15%
New Oak High Toast 5%

BATCH 38:
Gaillac White Wine 100%

BATCH 43:
Laphroaig peated Whisky 27%,
Speyside sherrycask Whisky 10%,
New Oak Medium Toast 36%,
New Oak High Toast 27%.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ThisWangsChung:
Photo of ThisWangsChung
Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland

4.27/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Batch #16 here. 12.7 oz bottle into a teku.

Appearance: Pours a murky brown color. The head is less than a finger high, and off-white in shade. There isn't much head retention, nor is there a lot of lacing on my glass. (2.75)

Smell: Oh wow, the oak barrel is so buttery and so vivid. I've never really sampled a brandy barrel-aged brew before, but I really like the additional apple notes I'm picking up here. In fact, I pick up everything from all the barrels - brandy, sherry, port, and standard oak. Some of the base quad notes appear after opening up a little (figs, raisins, and cherries). All told, this is a beautifully delicate yet complex brew. (4.5)

Taste: The oak barrel creates a gentle sensation throughout the flavor profile, initially subsumed by the base quad's dark fruit flavors. More dark fruit flavors appear on the finish - mainly port-esque - with subtle touches of toasted oak appearing. I also get some flavors of chocolate, brown sugar, and caramel throughout. It's hard to explain, but this beer is just so mind-bogglingly complex that it's hard for me to explain everything going on here. Let's just say that - like the nose suggested - I can subtly pick up each barrel used in this offering. I get a little brandy, a little sherry, and a little red wine. This is just so big in all the right ways: there's so much going on here, and yet this beer isn't ridiculous or over-the-top. (4.25)

Mouthfeel: It's quite full-bodied and rich...yet the finish is quite dry. Still, despite the dryness, it's very much a slow sipper. There's so much going on in the flavor profile that I don't want to drink this easily. It's a bit boozy, though not particularly bothersome. What surprises me is how low the carbonation is - if it weren't so naturally dry, then it WOULD be bothersome. The fact that it isn't syrupy is a testament to the sheer brewing skill shown off here. (4.25)

Overall: This bottle was worth a LOT of money ($17!) - however, I can safely say that was utterly worth it. The barrel aging adds so much to the base quad without detracting in any facet. In particular, the complexity is wonderful. Trust me, a little bit of this will go a long way. Just plain fantastic. (4.5)

4.27/5: Great base beer, wondrous barrel aging, what's not to love here?
Feb 09, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of EmperorBevis
Reviewed by EmperorBevis from England

4.31/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled and purchased from Behemoth in Manchester as a coupe de grace
pours a light brown body with odd constellations of bubbles that gather on the surface
Aroma is big Belgian candy
Flavour is deep long stood sugars and old oak
Mar 07, 2024
Photo of Shanex
Reviewed by Shanex from France

4.85/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
was La Trappe Oak Aged.

It left no head/foam, comes in a 375ml bottle at 11%.

Makes for a great winter brew! Very much outstanding with its caramel notes and not a boozy mess. A well balanced beer.
Jan 21, 2023
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12.7oz corked and caged bottle into a tulip. Batch 10, thinking 2011 release? 10 years+ old.

Looks decent. Dark almost black body, dark red wine when held up to the light. Small loose bubbly head doesnt last long, no lacing.

Rich dark fruit aroma.

On tasting, bags of dark fruit flavor, fresh and dried. Warming, some oak notes. A touch drying.

Mouth medium, a still drink, no carbonation at all. Finish warming and a little drying, leaving dark fruit flavors on the tongue.

Overall, interesting drink. I'm not sure if the stillness is deliberate or because of age. Very flavorful. Intrigued to try other batches.
Dec 03, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by bigred89 from Maryland

Nov 13, 2022
Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

4.12/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
(375 ml bottle, Batch #23; purchased single off shelf at Shangy's two days ago... poured into my La Trappe glass)

L: no when the cork was removed, no foam or indication of carbonation... the color of the liquid is ironically a burgundy, and thankfully relatively clear... curiously an island of thick sediment remains in the center of the bottle bottom

S: extremely vinous-forward smell, wood and robust raisin highlights... after a couple minutes, the base sugar becomes apparent, also a hint of caramelized banana... I'm concerned about the faint musty cellar note... all in all, smells mostly like red wine

T: tastes a hell of a lot like red wine as well; bit of the grain/malt shows up in the finish, too drenched in grape stains to reveal any bready or cereal qualities... no real off-flavors, so I suppose the cork seal did it's job... with a little of the sediment added, it actually subtly enhances the flavors and adds a mild nuttiness

F: a soft swell up front; medium-full bodied? but that could be influenced by the alcohol content; if I had to compare its textures to a wine, I'd say Port... unsurprisingly, no fizz, no gas, just flat - but that allows full exposure to the interplay between its heated booze and residual sugars... I must say, I don't mind it being flat, as long as there's curves elsewhere

O: this is somehow my first foray into the world of La Trappe Oak Aged; luckily they had bottles from several different batches, so I'm looking forward to trying a few, as I'm not sure I would've picked this one had I been intimately familiar with the flavors and nuances of the lot... easily the most nuanced and unique Quad I can recall trying (2062)
Oct 14, 2022
Photo of te99912_123
Reviewed by te99912_123 from Switzerland

4.52/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I believe the different batches are very different, implying that a review for a specific one will not be applicable to another batch.

Batch 43:
27% Laphroaig peated whisky, 10% Speyside sherrycask whisky, 36% New Oak Medium Toast, 27% New Oak High Toast.
Blended in Nov 2021.

Dark amber with a deep red tone, almost brown. Has a small lacing, maybe one finger foam.
The 27% laphroaig barrels are very obvious on the nose (-> smokey, peaty), but a wooden, vanilla aroma is noticeable, as well as a biscuity chraracter.

The smokey peatiness continues in the flavor, with hints of vanilla and caramel, though characteristics of the 'usual' quadruple's yeast are also noticeable, i.e. banana or raisins, but in my opinion rather subdued against the peatiness.
Tastes sweet, no bitterness.
Overall really great, especially for fans of Islay Whisky, which are famous for the peaty characteristics. If peaty whiskys are not your thing, then this batch can rather be skipped or seen as an experience.
Sep 23, 2022
Photo of mothman
Rated by mothman from Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Batch 1

Plums, raisins, figs, port, oak, caramel, toffee, dark fruits, dried red apple skins. Smooth, warming. Low carb. Beautiful beer.
Mar 25, 2022
 
Rated: 4.74 by ptarmigan98 from Alaska

Mar 13, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 28, 2022
 
Rated: 4.41 by Curt3 from Ohio

Nov 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4.59 by marcrech from Brazil

Oct 28, 2021
Photo of rex_4539
Reviewed by rex_4539 from Greece

4.39/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Hazy light brown color, two finger beige head, nice lacing, no carbonation.

S: Cognac, oak, alcohol, Belgian yeast. Niiiice!

T: Cognac, oak, Belgian yeast, alcohol. Nice and complex.

F: Medium to full bodied, lots of flavor, slow sipper.

O: The already fantastic quadrupel, aged in cognac oak barrels.
Aug 17, 2021
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Batch #16: Shared corked bottle at local tasting. Brown colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma of oak, fortified wine, brown kandij sugar, dark dried fruits and caramel. Lovely flavour, oaky but not too much, notes of old sherry and dark dried fruits, not too sweet.

Batch #17: 375 ml corked & caged bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 10%. Cloudy brown colour, hardly any head. Strong aroma of oak, white wine barrel and brandy. Minimal carbonation. Very oaky flavour too, slightly sweet, notes of oxidised old wine / sherry, also brandy. Suffers under its lack of carbonation. A bit disappointing.

Batch #18: 375 ml corked & caged bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. Cloudy brown colour, no head. Aroma of oak barrels, brandy and old oxidised sherry, hints of molasses. Minimal carbonation. The flavour has loads of oak, with notes of sweet white wine, brandy and oxidised old sherry. Hints of dark dried fruits. Suffers a lot from the lack of carbonation.

Batch #19: 375 ml corked & caged bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Batch #19, 83% of the beer was aged in oak casks that previously contained Banyuls sweet dessert wine from Languedoc-Rousillon (France), the remaining 17% was aged in new oak casks. ABV is 11%. Hazy brown colour, low off-white head. Lovely aroma of oak and Banyuls, also brown kandij sugar and leather. Warming mouthfeel. Excellent flavour, oak, Banyuls, and brown kandij sugar again, also raisins and dried figs, a slight hint of smoke.

Batch #23: 375 ml corked & caged bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 11%. Slightly hazy brown colour, small off-white head. Aroma of Pinot Noir red wine barrels, also notes of dark dried fruits, brown kandij sugar and new oak. Moderate but sufficient carbonation. Flavour of oak, red wine, dark dried fruits and brown kandij sugar. Good beer.
Jul 20, 2021
 
Rated: 4.74 by AGoodStout from Kansas

Jul 04, 2021
 
Rated: 3.88 by loganburgh from Michigan

Jul 01, 2021
Photo of SippingInHolland
Reviewed by SippingInHolland from Netherlands

4.49/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Found an older batch, nr 24, getting dusty in the cellar. It it still drinking nicely.

The kirsch schnaps die fade off a bit. But still oak, raisins, and slightly boozy.
Feb 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4.35 by arzt from Germany

Feb 16, 2021
Photo of imnodoctorbut
Reviewed by imnodoctorbut from Texas

4.31/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Batch 30. Bought this back in December 2019. Today is 2/10/21

pours a murky reddish brown body with a foamy tanned cream head that has minimal retention and leaves small traces of sticky lacing as it dissipates and settles to a thin halo

the aroma could be likened to fresh rum cake with vanilla, spicy ginger, and a fairly prominent aged oak on the wings

the taste follows the nose. black licorice and ginger spiciness pepper a soaked bready rum cake. dates, dark brown sugar, caramel and molasses come out early, and the vanilla is more pronounced later on as it warms up. the rum notes are quite different than the rum I am used to, and yet still oh so familiar. the flavors bolden and become quite vivid as it warms, enhancing the vanilla, as well as a candied ginger effect. there is also a start bitterness in the mix, resting somewhere in the realm of black licorice, coffee, herbal spice, and leather. the sweetness maintains prominence however, nearly to a cola degree.

low carbonation and medium bodied mouthfeel. it is a mostly smooth affair, bordering wateriness at times. there is a root bitter aftertaste that lingers.

overall:
a complicated flavor profile is stacked up against an uninspiring look, aroma, and mouthfeel. the look, I can almost always get past in a brew, but this watery feel has the brew finishing weak, which is a letdown given the complexity of the flavor profile. that said, I cannot say enough about the flavor. it is rich and complex, encompassing an impressive array of vivid expressions which you would be hard pressed to find in another. it is near perfection. but then, one notices a watery feel to the delivery system of said flavor. I am more than willing to attribute this to aging - maybe sitting on this one was a mistake. the spunk of the flavor needed an equal in the mouthfeel to carry it, but perhaps aging neutered the effect. though, I have noticed remarks elsewhere from those who opened it immediately felt that it had a harsh feel to it. barely a year in the cellar and I can tell you that whatever harshness this brew initially had has been outright neutered.
dramatics aside, this was a splendid experience. I only wish it had a more lively feel to match the outright brilliance of the flavor profile.
Feb 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.56 by DvdP from Netherlands

Oct 14, 2020
La Trappe Quadrupel - Oak-Aged from Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 623 ratings