Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Batch 5 (2023)

Smoky, sweet, tropical, and gentle. Nose: Raisins, Mangoes, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Smoke, Plums, Chili Peppers, Pineapples, Figs Palate: Bacon, Toffee, Raisins, Vanilla, Chili Peppers, Blood Oranges, Honey, Seaweed, Strawberries Finish: Mangoes, Raisins, Coal, Dark Chocolate, Mackerels, Tobacco, Leather

Salty lime with a wisp of sweet smoke forms the heart of an expressive nose. The first impression in the mouth is that it’s very dry. Subsequent sips reveal lime, eucalyptus and wet wood. The finish leans into white pepper, lime zest and tannins. The lime forms an enjoyable backbone to this whisky but it lacks complexity and is flirting with an oaky influence that was on the edge of my tolerance. Worth a try but I wouldn’t buy a bottle on the strength of my tasting.