Review by: ZoidbergOnTheRocks
It’s been far too long since I’ve reviewed one of my favorite distilleries. And why not something good for the 100th Scotch reviews, eh? So here are the two releases of the Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 years old, tasted side-by-side.
Tasted on 12/8/2020, neat in a Glencairn.
This is the first batch of the 19yr Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, Batch TB/01-15.03.00/19.MH, released in 2019. A 75cl bottle for the US market, acquired in WA state for too much money, but what can I say, I loves me some Ardbeg. Matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks.
They say this is now part of their core range, and there’ll be a new one every year. I feel like I’ve heard that before, but I’ll take it while I can get it.
Distillery: Ardbeg
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islay
ABV: 46.2%
Age: 19 years old. Bottled on 06/26/2019.
Cask type: American Oak and Oloroso Sherry Casks
Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: earthy peat smoke, coal, grapefruit, lime, seaweed, iodine, hemp rope, black rubber, some darker fruits in there with figs, raisins, and two currants. Mineral oil, vanilla, lemons.
Taste: peat, smoke, salt, medicinal, seawater, oil, grapefruit, sweet lemon, rubber, tar, a little coconut, ashy, very mild pepper, medium-thin mouthfeel.
Finish: a quick pop of earthy peat smoke, salty, ash, sweet citrus, medicinal, seawater, a hint of pepper, short-to-medium-ish finish (shorter than I’d have expected for sure.) Tails off into peat, salt, and sweet citrus.
It’s subtle as Ardbegs go. A beautiful nose with a lot going on and nice balance. Excellent, classically Ardbeg notes. I get only a small sherry influence out of this. I’m a little disappointed that it gets much simpler in the mouth. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, too. The finish isn’t as long as you’d hope for something this age and it remains simple in the finish. No off-notes at all, and delicious for sure, but you’d like to see more complexity out of something like this on the palate and that’s what’s holding it back.
FWIW, it tossed in 2-3 drops of water at the end here and I don’t think it really made any difference.
Final Score: 87.
This is the second batch of the 19yr Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, Batch TB/02-18.09.00/20.JT, released in 2020. A 75cl bottle for the US market, again bought in WA state. Aged in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks.
Distillery: Ardbeg
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islay
ABV: 46.2%
Age: 19 years old. Bottled on 07/31/2020.
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry and American Oak
Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: earthy peat, smoldering wood, a little ash, warm rubber, lemon, sweetened grapefruit, seaweed, mineral oil, a little tar, old rope, iodine, sea spray, warm sand, nuts (almonds), aniseed, light eucalyptus, figs. Seems to get more medicinal over time. Cream, hints of fruit cake, a little candle wax. More smoke the longer it sits.
Taste: earthy peat, smoke, tar, ash, rubber, sweet lemon, seaweed, brine, medium mouthfeel, oil, a little wax, mineral, aniseed, lime, soy sauce, a touch dry, creosote.
Finish: earthy peat and wood smoke, sweet lemon, very medicinal, tar, salt, seaweed, aniseed, eucalyptus, fairly long w/ salt, sea, peat, tar, and those wonderful medicinal notes.
This is beautifully balanced throughout. Like the other one, this is subtle for an Ardbeg, but that’s okay: it’s damn good. I also only get a very small sherry influence out of this. Not an off-note to be found. Very good complexity in the nose, and subtle though it opens up more and more with time in the glass. And it holds up on the palate and finish. Nice mouthfeel, long finish, and it’s even more medicinal and the smoke holds much better. Beautiful.
Did you ever have Creomulsion cough syrup? There’s something on the palate and in the finish that brings me back to this from my childhood.
A few drops of water at the end here, and the smoke comes out bigger throughout, mouthfeel thickened up a smidge, and in general I’d say 2-3 drops of water in this is a reasonable move here.
Final Score: 93.
Comparison
Order: Batch 2 > Batch 1
This is an easy comparison: the newer one is more complex and much better on the palate, with a superb finish, better mouthfeel. Yummy.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 