Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced ‘Tri-Van’) is a 19 Year Old single malt that has been "inspired by the heavenly vista of Islay’s Traigh Bhan – known locally as The Singing Sands".

This 19 year old expression represents the first ongoing age stated whisky from Ardbeg in 20 years, which will be released in batches annually. Each batch will vary slightly from year to year, and keeping track will be made easier by a unique code on the box, bottle and 'foot' label which will bring up details on the Ardbeg website at Ardbeg.com

Although the Traigh Bhan is considered a core bottling and will be available regularly, each release occurs once a year and is a single batch so stocks will probably not be on shelves all year round.

The Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 2019 release has been bottled at 46.2% and matured for a minimum of 19 years in a mix of American oak & Oloroso sherry casks.

It is available now to Australian Ardbeg committee members here and from selected retailers the next week!

Official Tasting notes from the distillery team;

Aroma: Gentle ripples of smoky pineapple, soured cream and wood smoke make for an irresistible nose. Newly planed oak and supple dark leather sing to your soul as sweet toffee and liquorice draw you in.

A splash of water releases a surge of unexpected notes. Struck flint, herbal pine resin and coal tar effervesce towards citrus-y lime sherbet and subtle, yet sweet vanilla cheesecake.

Taste: The peaty power of this alluring spirit is undeniable, as it plunges your palate into its smoky depths. An intensely salty mouthfeel drifts into sweet and sour notes of smoked chili chocolate and paprika. Waves of toasted oak and roasted tea leaves emerge, before subsiding to reveal fresh peppermint fondant and salted white chocolate.

Finish: Firm but gentle, soothing wood smoke carries into a length, lingering finish – resonating far beyond the glass.

Our take (written several weeks ago before we had the official notes!), based on a sneaky preview sample we were lucky enough to have;

Nose: Beautiful balance of sweet charred BBQ meat, salt and smoke. Charred pineapple. Wood shavings that have just caught fire (pine and cedar). Lemon granita.

Palate: Vanilla cupcake (icing and cake both), pine needles on a campfire, crusted salted pork, waxy pineapple, Chinese five spices. Warm damp cedar logs on a campfire.