For the first time in 20 years, Ardbeg has added a whisky with an age statement to its permanent range. Whisky expert Dave Broom described Batch 1 as a whisky “filled with old-style Ardbeg filthiness” and Whisky Advocate called it “delightfully traditional Ardbeg”, unfortunately it sold out rapidly. As did Batch 2. And Batch 3. But don’t worry because now Batch 4 has arrived… Traigh Bhan – pronounced “Tri Van” – is a new 19 Year Old, which will be released in small batches annually. Each one will be subtly different and therefore highly collectable. They will be identifiable via the unique batch number on the front label. This release is TB/04-07.03.2003/22.CG, which denotes that this is Traigh Bhan, fourth batch, with the youngest spirit having been distilled in on 4 July 2003, released in 2022, and created under the watchful eye of Distillery Manager Colin Gordon (with help from Distillery Manager Mickey Heads and Head Whisky Creator Bill Lumsden of course). It has been aged in a combination of American oak and Oloroso Sherry casks for almost two decades, creating something that feels like the aftermath of a high street fire that engulfed a Mexican restaurant and the neighbouring old-fashioned sweet shop, furniture store and the local herbal tea purveyor. In amongst the smoking timbers, there’s a now well-barbequed pineapple salsa, smoked paprika; sour cream, burnt corn husks from tamales, lime juice, sea salt, dried oregano, dark chocolate, dried fruit and a combination of chipotle, habanero and ancho chillies. We think the fire probably started in a mole pot in the Mexican kitchen of this imaginary flight of fancy. Combined with all those South American flavours comes aniseed balls, toffee, lemon bonbons, clove drops, walnut whip, sugared almonds, praline and salted caramel from the confectioner to which the fire spread. There’s also pine wood, melted candle wax, soot and charcoal – all that was left of the homeware shop. The tweak to the casks has made this more herbal than previous expressions, so there’s also mint, eucalyptus, fennel and lemongrass from the tea shop next door. It’s a hot mess, in a good way. Along the rocky coastline of Islay, just beyond the boxy Carraig Fhada lighthouse, lies a beach known locally as Traigh Bhan, meaning “Singing Sands”. This stretch of shoreline, punctuated by jagged volcanic rocks and lapped at by crystal-clear water, takes its name from the sound the soft sand makes beneath your boots as you stroll along it. Grab Batch 4 while the limited stocks last.
£39.29 per 100.00ml
