Ardbeg – Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Batch 2 (2020) (70cl, 46.2%)

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan is a 19 year old Islay single malt, here in its Batch 2 release of 2020. It is bottled at 46.2% in a 70cl bottle and described as heavily peated. The name is that of a small white-sand beach on Islay, known locally as the singing sands because the sand whistles underfoot. Ardbeg uses it to pay tribute to a place on its own island. The nose is delicate, with fruit and smoke, sweet-and-sour notes, salted butter caramel and liquorice. On the palate, iodine-rich peat gives way to citrus and smoky wood, then a minty freshness and white chocolate. The finish is firm yet gentle, with lingering wood smoke.