Ardbeg – Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 3 2021 (70cl, 46.2%)

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 3 is an Islay single malt bottled at 46.2% in a 70cl bottle, without chill-filtering. It is the third batch of this release, matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The name comes from the Singing Sands beach on Islay's south coast, which also appears on the packaging. Batch 3 was bottled during the worldwide lockdown. The nose has soft sweet wood smoke and crème fraîche tart, with spicy fennel, celery and roasted tea leaves, then charcoal and lightly burnt toast. A little water brings sea spray, eucalyptus oil and pine, and a final note of saddle soap and leather. The palate opens with an intensely salty mouthfeel.