To feel the true spirit of Ardbeg, visit the Distillery. Stand on the grassy mound that rises between the buildings and the sea. The sight of the pagoda roofs crowning white-washed walls before you; the sound of waves surging onto the rocks behind you; the smell of malt and sea-spray all around you. Breathe it in. This is pure Islay. Where Ardbeg is, has been and always will be made by people genuinely devoted to producing The Ultimate Islay Malt. Ardbeg the whisky is Ardbeg the place, in all its raw natural beauty. There have been many ups and downs on the long road to Ardbeg throughout the years. Ardbeg’s story is one of irrepressible spirit surviving against the odds, finally emerging as “unquestionably, the greatest distillery on Earth.
This is the second batch of the Traigh Bhan which has been aged in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks for no less than 19 years. This whisky has been inspired by Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach (known locally as the Singing Sands), a whisky that is the epitome of an aged Ardbeg. A collectable whisky which is part of the core range but produced in batches each year. The introduction to some subtle changes from the first recipe have enhanced the the perfect balance and produced a whisky not to be missed. Non chill-filtered and bottled at 46.2% abv. On the nose, waves of sweet wood smoke and tart crème fraîche lap gently over bold notes of savoury fennel, celeriac and roasted tea leaves. A splash of water releases a gust of fresh seaspray, followed by irresistible aromas of leather, eucalyptus oil and pine.
