Ardbeg Scotch Single Malt 19 Year Traigh Bhan 2023 750ml

This is the fifth release of the 19-year-old Ardbeg line, named for the “singing sands” near Port Ellen. Look for a bright marigold hue and assertive peaty aroma, with a baked-pear undertone. The palate echoes that smoke underpinned by fruit, translating as smoked pear and grilled pineapple. A final wave of saline and black pepper makes the mouth water.

Plenty of peat up front, along with whiffs of vanilla, citrus, and tobacco before the maritime notes kick in—dried seaweed, sea salt, and brine. Vanilla and lemon tart on the palate, with light soapiness. It’s delicate, sweet, creamy, and dessert-like. The finish is flavorful with Creamsicle and more vanilla, and the peat reappears. Very balanced overall—not a peat bomb—with subtle sweetness and depth, and peat in a strong but supporting role. - Winter 2023

Bottled under a full moon, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 5 represents a changing in the tide for this incredible spirit. An impossibly balanced flavor profile gives rise to rich notes of herbal wood smoke, eucalyptus and aniseed. With subtle changes in the batch recipe annually, Ardbeg fans will enjoy exploring the finer details of this transformational whisky every time it comes around. This means that each bottle of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan is special, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Aromas of sweet, scented wood smoke, wisps of pine resin, aniseed toffee, citrus and cayenne pepper. Flavors of tarry rope and treacle toffee, aniseed twists and soot with smoked brown sugar, sugar coated walnuts and gentle spices. Finishes with bitter almonds, linseed oil, clove, pepper and soot in its wake.