This September, Ardbeg will launch the fifth bottling of its permanent 19-year-old expression, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan. Produced in small batches and released year on year, this ever-changing whisky draws inspiration from Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands.
Matured in classic Ardbeg ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, For Traigh Bhan Batch 5 ventures into sweeter, more tropical waters, the company reports. Notes of fresh green peppers, smoked mango and guava mingle with maple bacon on the nose. A deep smokiness gives way to toasted tonka beans and white pepper, with notes aniseed, burnt heather and spiced chive. On the finish is warm toffee fudge and smoked butter.
Each batch in this line carries its own unique code, batch symbol and initials from one of the distillery’s famous faces. This year it’s Gillian Macdonald, Ardbeg’s Master Blender & Head of Whisky Creation, who says: “Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5 brings with it a vibrant profile bursting with smoked maple cured bacon, warm toffee and herbal essence, alongside tropical hints of luscious mango, guava and coconut — a side of this series that fans are yet to experience. We are thrilled to offer whisky lovers and collectors across the globe an opportunity to explore another new take on this impossibly balanced favorite. We hope that this bottling will spark conversations between Ardbeggians and their friends about the finer details of this ever-changing dram.”
Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5 will be available to buy from whisky specialists, Ardbeg Embassies,online at Reservebar.com, at selected retailers and from the Ardbeg Distillery.
The suggested retail price is $349.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
