This September, Ardbeg will launch the fourth bottling of its permanent 19-year-old expression, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced tri-van).
Produced in small batches and released year-on-year, this ever-changing whisky draws its inspiration from Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands.
Matured with a higher proportion of Oloroso Sherry casks, Batch Four is different to the previous releases of Traigh Bhan, the company says, taking on more flavors of chocolate and raisin, alongside a mentholic character.
On the nose, aromas of herbal pine and fennel flow into notes of citrusy lime sorbet and medicinal lozenge, the company reports. On the palate is wood smoke with dark chocolate and ground coffee. Sweeter notes of lemon curd and peanut brittle cut through to reveal hints of creamy raisin fudge and hazelnut. Finally, menthol, fresh lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper emerge from the smoky finish.
Each Traigh Bhan whisky carries its own unique batch code, batch symbol and signature from one of the Distillery’s famous faces. This year, it’s Colin Gordon, the distillery manager.
“I’m absolutely delighted to put my name to this batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, inspired by one of the most beautiful spots on Islay,” Gordon says. “It’s a delicious dram, and the fact that each bottling is a little bit different adds to the fun. I know Ardbeggians and their friends enjoy comparing the finer details of this ever-changing whisky.”
Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 will be available at selected retailers and from the Ardbeg.
“Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 is another incredible iteration in the series,” says Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Master Distiller. “It follows in the footsteps of previous bottlings, but thanks to some tweaks to the recipe, we’ve brought more woodsmoke, menthol and aniseed to the fore. This is an impossibly balanced, not-to-be-missed Ardbeg.”
