Renowned Islay Single Malt Ardbeg debuts its prestige range in India with the exceptionally rare and limited Batch 4 of Traigh Bhan
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Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 4 demonstrates the Distillery’s versatile character, and is a limited edition launch exclusively available at Duty-Free in Mumbai and Delhi airports
National, October 2022: Ardbeg is soon to debut in India a limited edition expression from its revered prestige range. The fourth bottling of its permanent 19-year-old expression, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced tri-van) will be made available in the country exclusively via Duty Free retail outlets in Mumbai and Delhi airports. Bringing the strictly limited edition launch to India is Ardbeg’s first step in fulfilling the growing demand of its prestige offerings in the country.
Produced in small batches and released year-on-year, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 4 is an exceptionally rare and ever-changing whisky, drawing its inspiration from Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands. Matured with a higher proportion of Oloroso Sherry casks, Batch Four is subtly different to the previous releases of Traigh Bhan, taking on more flavours of chocolate and raisin, alongside a distinctive mentholic character.
This sublime dram is the epitome of an aged Ardbeg. On the nose, rising aromas of herbal pine and fennel flow into sharp notes of citrusy lime sorbet and medicinal lozenge. On the palate, an intense wave of wood smoke leaves ripples of decadent dark chocolate and ground coffee in its wake. Sweeter notes of lemon curd and peanut brittle cut through the swell to reveal delicate hints of creamy raisin fudge and hazelnut. Finally, menthol, fresh lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper emerge from rich, smoky depths.
The taste profile isn’t the only thing that changes year-on-year. Each Traigh Bhan whisky carries its own unique batch code, batch symbol and signature from one of the Distillery’s famous faces – this year it’s Colin Gordon, the Distillery Manager.
Commenting on the Batch Four, Colin Gordon said, “I’m absolutely delighted to put my name to this batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, inspired by one of the most beautiful spots on Islay. It’s a delicious dram, and the fact that each bottling is a little bit different adds to the fun. I know Ardbeggians and their friends enjoy comparing the finer details of this ever-changing whisky.”
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Master Distiller, said, “Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 is another incredible iteration in the series. It follows in the footsteps of previous bottlings, but thanks to some tweaks to the recipe, we’ve brought more woodsmoke, menthol and aniseed to the fore. This is an impossibly balanced, not-to-be-missed Ardbeg.”
The limited edition Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 from the prestige range, will be exclusively made available in Travel Retail outlets at Mumbai and Delhi International Airports from October 15, 2022 at a price of INR 24,000.
For more information on this bottling and all things Ardbeg, lovers of smoky single malt can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.
TASTING NOTES:
Age: 19 Years Old
ABV: 46.2%
AN IMPOSSIBLY BALANCED WHISKY. HERBAL & MENTHOLIC.
Colour: Sunset Gold
Nose On the nose, rising aromas of herbal pine and fennel flow into sharp notes of citrusy lime sorbet and medicinal lozenge, while eucalyptus and saddle soap follows on the breeze. A splash of water releases a cascade of hazelnut, sweet vanilla, and currants before rich minted chocolate brings the nose to a close.
Taste An intense wave of wood smoke crashes over the palate, leaving ripples of decadent dark chocolate and ground coffee in its wake. Sweeter notes of lemon curd and peanut brittle cut through the swell to reveal delicate hints of creamy raisin fudge and hazelnut. The allure of this rare dram continues with suggestions of more medicinal, spicy notes. Menthol, fresh lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper emerge from rich, smoky depths.
Finish: Sweet and peat collide with creamy vanilla fudge, dark cocoa powder,
and a warm, woody clove tingle. A sharp, intense, and satisfyingly
long finish.
About Ardbeg:
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.
