Impossibly Balanced 19-Year-Old’s Latest Batch Surges With Ardbeggian Intensity

Ardbeg Islay Single Malt Whisky today unveils the sixth, small-batch release of its impossibly balanced 19-year-old whisky, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced “Tri-Van”). Inspired by the island of Islay’s beautiful Traigh Bhan beach, each annual, limited batch of this ever-changing dram reflects the striking contrasts of that place. 

Follow Islay’s rocky coastline west from the Ardbeg Distillery and discover the heavenly vista of Traigh Bhan, known locally as The Singing Sands. With soft, white sand that hums beneath your feet, this beach is alluring – but it can also be treacherous. For while its crystal waters seem tame, jagged, volcanic rocks pierce the shore. Encapsulating the impossible balance of those serene sands and rocky outcrops, each rare batch of Ardbeg’s whisky is seductively smooth, until intense, rugged flavor notes break the surface. 

Like its award-winning predecessors, Batch 6 is aged in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. However, with more refilled bourbon casks in its recipe, this bottling invites more of Ardbeg’s bold spirit character to surge forth. Traigh Bhan’s trademark delicate balance meets ripples of olive oil and newly mown lawn grass, with classic Ardbeggian waves of tarry rope, peppermint, dark chocolate, soot and fennel.

Each bottling of Traigh Bhan carries its own unique batch code, batch symbol and the signature of one of Ardbeg’s iconic faces – this year, Head Warehouse Operator Dugga Bowman. He said: “Inspired by one of Islay’s most beautiful beaches, this sixth batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan will go down a storm with Ardbeggians. I hope they will enjoy discovering the differences between batches of our ever-changing whisky – and debating their favorites with fellow smoky malt lovers.”

Master Blender Gillian Macdonald said: “Ardbeg Traigh Bhan gives our Whisky Creation Team freedom to explore the unique flavor differences which individual batches can bring. With more refill bourbon casks in the recipe than previous bottlings, Batch 6 overflows with more of Ardbeg’s hallmark smoky notes of soot, dark chocolate, coffee and peppermint, alongside a groundswell of olive oil, baking bread, and ginger. Rare and impossibly balanced, this batch will be a firm favorite with Traigh Bhan’s fans.” 

Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 6 will be available to buy from whisky specialists, online at ReserveBar.com and select retailers.