ARDBEG 19 YEAR OLD 'TRAIGH BHAN' BATCH #5
ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
ISLAY, SCOTLAND
Why Buy: For the legion of Ardbeg lovers, the latest release of the famed Islay distiller's Traigh Bhan series has become something of an annual rite, with all the anticipatory excitement of an album drop from a pop legend. Well, Batch #5 — a limited-edition, small-batch, 19 year-old single malt — is here, and it takes all of a slow, savoring sip to understand why collectors across the globe have been sent scurrying to secure a bottle of Dr. Bill Lumsden’s latest. In a series that has been one extraordinary expression after another, this just might be the most brilliant of them all.
What They're Saying: Batch #2 won Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Batch #3 took home a Double Platinum at the 2022 American Spirits Council of Tasters and was a Finalist at the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. As with all Ardbeg releases, we fully expect the accolades to be rolling in for Batch #5.
The Story: Named for the "singing sands" beach on Islay's southern coast, the Traigh Bhan (pronounced try-VAN) series incorporates current trends — Batch #5, for instance, was matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks — but only to create a result steeped in tradition. Toward that end, Arbeg takes its bottling seriously. Each release has taken note of when the single malt was bottled: Batch #4, "Under a Full Moon"; Batch #3, "In a Lockdown"; Batch #2, "Under a Thick Haar" (a local, coastal fog); Batch #1, "During a Storm." This one? "Bottled in Humidity." How much the atmosphere is to be credited for its role in this superlative single malt, we can't say, but there is undoubtedly some kind of magic in the mix.
Our Tasting Notes: Take the characteristic Ardbeg profile – that persistent and distinctive smokiness that fills the senses – and add an array of dimensional elements on top: on the nose, smoked mango, guava, coconut, and menthol; on the palate, smoked maple bacon, charcoal, white pepper, and clove, with lingering notes of campfire and sea spray.
Proof: 92.4; non-chill filtered.
Fun Fact: In its infancy, the 229-year-old Ardbeg distilled whisky illegally.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so you can be confident that your single malt will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don’t hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2023 (December 21, 2023 - March 20, 2024). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in AZ, CA, CT, FL, MA, MO, NJ, & TX. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, September 24, 2023.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
