Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Batch 1 (2019)

The tropical fruits.. mainly pineapple.. mesh nicely with the ardbeg smoke.. a lighter smoke given the age.. the chili isn't present upon the initial taste, however there is a pleasant lingering heat spice on the finish. Given how steep the price is I wouldn't get it again, but I'm still happy I have it.. a lovely dram and definitely worth tasting

Delicate peat overlays pear and other fruit and herbal notes. A wonderful sipper, with the age clearly mellowing out any harshness it once had. The only knock against it is that it might be a bit too delicate for some.

The nose isn't all that strong actually, though some smoke stands out - not so much peat, but there is some. It doesn't smell particularly sweet, though it does have some light fruity scents and a little bit of light bitter herbal nose. The palate is rich and full, starting with smoke, peat, and fruit. The fruit is a little hard to place, but I think it tastes a lot like apricot - really, it seems distinct from the pineapple that they claim. It's sweet, but rounded and rich. This is much closer to the 2019 supernova in quality than to the 2015. The flavors all balance nicely and it's quite tasty. This is definitely comparable to the 2019 Supernova in quality, though it tastes more like the 2015, but with some beautiful fruity richness that makes it what it always should have been. I see where the chili in the description comes in a bit, adding some spiciness and harshness in a way that is not out of place. There's some dark chocolate that blends well with the chili. The spices are balanced, with a little bit of cinnamon, some black pepper, and moderated clove that brings in soft tannins. There may be some peat, but it skirts tasting like gross bread. This is a great whiskey by any standard. I sure hope it isn't one that breaks the bank because I'd like a bottle. The chocolatey finish is really nice. This is super nice to drink. I'll go ahead and call this my favorite ardbeg release. It's so good, but sadly the price is far too high.

As salty and acrid as the smell of an Ardbeg must be, as viscous and full as an oil lamp hanging on the bow of a ship that sails the ocean, along with cloves, orange, chocolate, licorice, vanilla and coconut. There is also a clear woody component, with pine needles and damp wood, resin, to which a hint of leather is added. All well balanced and harmonious, pungent. Silky on the palate, it slips, leaving a patina almost chewable on the tongue, with the sweetness that caresses it with a sugary and caramelized profile, but you can't fool yourself, the peat is well present, moist and fleshy, with the acrid smoke that pinches the walls of the mouth. Liquorice and chocolate rest together, with the leather soaked by the splashes of the ocean as a counterpoint, leaving the citrus fruits (orange, but also a scratch of lemon peel) in the background. In length, on the damp wood of the bonfire are thrown some car tires, just to revive the atmosphere, with the peat that is still lively despite the not so young whisky. More coconut in the background. Moss. Complex and layered. A finish that fills the mouth for a long time, with ash, ocean, chocolate, orange, leather... even the empty glass recalls the flavors just picked. Rich and full without being explosive, age has greatly benefited this Ardbeg confirming its spirit, which is fully recognizable but reflective, with the strength softened by time but not bent. The aromas are well balanced, the alcohol content very centered, it requires attention and care, strange to say almost, but it is a meditative Ardbeg.

Amazing, mature, smoked Aaaaal I like.