ARDBEG - 19 years old - Traigh Bhan - Vintage 2000 - 46.2% ABV
Ardbeg is an iconic distillery located on the island of Islay, in Scotland. Recognized worldwide as one of the oldest and most prestigious distilleries in the region, it stands out for producing some of the most peated and deeply maritime-flavored whiskies. A true pioneer, Ardbeg was the first distillery to experiment with an extraordinary aging process by sending some of its casks into space aboard the International Space Station in 2011, a unique and now legendary experiment that allowed the study of the impact of weightlessness on maturation and aromatic complexity.
Whisky production began there as early as 1798, with official commercial sales dating back to 1815, the same year as its famous neighbor, Laphroaig. Ardbeg quickly established itself thanks to the exceptional quality of its spirits, highly prized both for pure tasting and for renowned blended assemblages. After a turbulent period marked by numerous ownership changes and several difficult phases leading to its closure in 1981, the distillery was reborn in 1989, albeit limited to two months of operation per year. It was only in 1997, following its acquisition by Glenmorangie, now part of the prestigious French luxury group LVMH, that Ardbeg resumed full activity.
Ardbeg's two traditional stills produce approximately one million liters of pure alcohol annually, exclusively as Single Malt, ensuring authenticity and intensity. Maturation is mainly carried out in American Bourbon barrels, complemented by a selected proportion of Sherry Oloroso casks, which give the whisky its richness and depth. This single malt is characterized by a strongly peated and smoky profile, but with an elegant and less maritime expression than many other Islay whiskies, offering smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet notes that appeal to the most discerning enthusiasts.
The Traigh Bhan 19 years Batch 2 is a prestigious edition within a highly sought-after Ardbeg series. It is a permanent expression but produced only in limited annual editions, making it particularly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts. This batch shows a delicate evolution compared to Batch 1, with a perfectly balanced maturation in American oak and Sherry Oloroso casks, enhancing the peated notes while bringing new aromatic complexity.
Peated (+ 50-55 ppm)
