Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Batch 4 is the fourth release of Ardbeg's oldest regular expression, named after the Singing Sands beach near the distillery on Islay. Matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, it is bottled at 46.2% ABV without chill filtration. This batch carries the code TB/04-07.03.2003/22.CG, marking spirit distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2022.
Each batch of Traigh Bhan is different, and every bottle is labelled with its batch code. Batch 4 uses a higher share of Oloroso sherry casks than earlier batches, adding dark, rich notes to Ardbeg's famously smoky spirit. Ardbeg bottles each batch under a full moon, a nod to the night-time tides on the beach that gives the whisky its name.
The nose opens with herbal pine, fennel, citrus and a medicinal lozenge note, with eucalyptus and saddle soap; a little water brings out hazelnut, vanilla, currants and minted chocolate. The palate delivers heavy wood smoke with dark chocolate and ground coffee, alongside lemon curd, peanut brittle and raisin fudge. The finish brings menthol, lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper as the smoke returns.
The bottle is presented in a white box with dark, wave-like artwork. Long-aged Ardbeg is rare, and Traigh Bhan is a prized bottle for any Islay collector.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Herbal pine, fennel, citrus and medicinal lozenge, with eucalyptus; water brings hazelnut, vanilla and minted chocolate.
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Palate: Heavy wood smoke, dark chocolate and ground coffee, with lemon curd, peanut brittle and raisin fudge.
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Finish: Menthol, lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper, with returning smoke.
Specifications
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Producer: Ardbeg
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Style: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Expression / Batch: Traigh Bhan Batch 4 (TB/04-07.03.2003/22.CG)
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Age: 19 years
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Proof / ABV: 92.4 proof (46.2% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: American oak and Oloroso sherry casks
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Region: Islay, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat, then add a few drops of water to unlock the hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate. It pairs with smoked salmon, oysters or dark chocolate, and makes a superb gift for an Ardbeg devotee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Traigh Bhan mean?
It is the Gaelic name of the Singing Sands beach near Ardbeg on Islay.
What casks are used in Batch 4?
American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, with more sherry than earlier batches.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 46.2% ABV, non-chill filtered.
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