THE first permanent addition to the Ardbeg range in 20 years to carry an age statement is now available to the on-trade.
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced Tri-Van) will be released in small batches every year, with each batch slightly different to the last.
The expression, aged for 19 years in a combination of American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, is described as having “intense and rugged flavour notes” of salt, smoke, sweet and sour.
The name of the bottling is taken from Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as ‘The Singing Sands’.
“A new, permanent aged Ardbeg is a rare occurrence, and cause for celebration,” said Bill Lumsden, director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks at Ardbeg.
“We hope that, by slightly tweaking the batch recipe year-on-year, Ardbeggians can have some fun exploring the finer details of this ever-changing dram.
“As far as taste goes, this 19 year old whisky plunges the palate into notes of smoky pineapple and aromatic wood smoke, with a sweet mouthfeel of smoked chilli chocolate and paprika.
“The intense notes then peter out through a long, smoky finish.”
