Hi Erik I have an unopened bottle of this whiskey, but I am a ardbeg fan boy, I have all of the core range ardbeg's, but I just wanted to tell you that I am a devoted fan of your channel, and I can't wait until I open up this expression of ardbeg, thank you for your help in picking all my favorite ardbeg's, and I look forward to seeing more reviews of your ardbeg line up, cheers Erik, and may you keep up your great work on scotch whiskey !!
WOW!! Thanks, this means a lot to me. Version II of Traigh Bhan is available but it is SO expensive I have not bought a bottle.... and I am running out of room on my shelves.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Hi I know where to pick up a bottle of the 2nd expression of the ardbeg traigh bhan 19 year old, even the price won't hold me back, I like you, love ardbeg whiskey and I try and buy any ardbeg that is new, cheers brother and keep the videos coming !!!
Wow Erik, you really made this sound sooo tempting. This was a really thorough review and I want to thank you for discussing the Traigh Bhan in the context of all the other Ardbegs in your collection. It really helps those of us who have tasted them place this new offering in context. Instructive as always. Thank you!
Thank you for your review, and your no nonsense thoughts on price to value thoughts. I'm an Ardbeg fanatic and plan to buy a bottle if I see it..but you definitely gave me food for thought on how much I'm willing to spend. Thank you for that.
Hi Eric, Thanks for another clearly presented and balanced review! After watching it, I picked one of these up a few hours ago. I have a few of their CR special releases and the 21 yo as well. Thanks for the moral Support to make that expense! Gary
Wow Erik, thank you for reviewing the Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 yo, as their so many on the fence on whether to purchase this dram. I would say if you in a place where you can pull the trigger do it, because there is no promise on how long this will be a part of the core range. Cheers on another excellent review!
Thanks. Nice review of the Ardbeg lineup. I think the Ugi is a good value. Have to pick another bottle of it. The 19 yo is out of my price range but I’ll watch for an opportunity to try a dram. The Midleton Dair Ghaelach ($270) is the most I’ve spent on a whiskey.
Hi Eric Hope i spelled your name correctly, but I just wanted to say I'm an ardbeg fan boy like you, which of the ardbeg's that you have tried do you like the most, I have the 10, coryvercan, the ugi dal and the 19 year old, so please let me know what is your favorite ardbeg of date 📅, I'm a poor man and just love 💘 ardbeg but I would love to drink 🍸 a ardbeg that is a superb whiskey, money won't be a deciding issue, so tell me what is the best whiskey from your perspective !! Cheers brother and thanks for your videos !!!
My name is EriK with a "K". In March every year Ardbeg has a Committee Release bottled at cask strength and then in June they release a 46% ABV version for Ardbeg Day. Keep an eye out for those bottles every year. This past year was The Ardbeg Blaaack. A couple years ago they had their BEST - Ardbeg Dark Cove. From their core range the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail are the best. The 10 Year old has the highest quality/price ratio.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Thanks Erik I will be looking for the groves I think of ardbeg, thanks for your recommendations, I love your reviews and I always look for any review that helps me find a good whiskey!!!
Definitely agree that Ardbeg 10 is one of the best for price to quality ratio. Back in 2014/2015 it was running about $39 in my area. Has gone up since then, but is still one of the best values for Islay single malts.
Thanks for the review! I am a BIG Ardbeg fan. Have all you mentioned including Wee Beasty, and Blaaaack. Actually have 2 of each. One for drinking one for collecting. My Dark Cove is of huge interest locally. Anyways.... THANKS AGAIN, missed last years 19yo release. Already reserved 2 for this year.
Great review Erik, I've had several Ardbegs over the last couple of years but they are way overpriced where I am, not sure if I'll pay the $399 CDN that it is projected to retail at.
Eric: Tràigh Bhàn (Traw Von or Wahn)=White Beach Tràigh is Beach (pronounced like Draw with a T) and Bàn is White. A grammar rule puts a H after the B createing the V sound where the stand alone Bàn would be (Bawhn). An H after a consonant either silences it as in Tràigh or makes a V or W sound as in Bhan. I lean to a V pronunciation here. This can also be seen in the Salutation SLÀINTE MHATH. The MH is pronounced like a V. Correctly written the A in each word would have accents known as a Fada which creates an (Awh) sound The IRISH equivalent is Trá Bhán I am conversational in IRISH (Irish Gaelic) and I have been published in IRISH in The Irish Times in Dublin. Tip: People who speak Irish Gaelic use the term IRISH when referring to the language in English. Non-Speakers use the term Gaelic. Irish and Scottish Gaelic as you know come from the same root and they share many words but the spelling is slightly different because of time and geographic separation. It is a similar story to French in France and French in Quebec. SLÁINTE Mike
Funny while I was watching your review I kept thinking OK OK but is it worth the huge extra vs the (in my mind) awesome Corryvreckan. Kinda glad you confirmed I can stick to it for now, the price of this one is just way too steep for me. Mind you my other Islay fave right now is Compass Box No Name which you also liked. How does the 19 compare to that one?
Hi Erik I have watched many of your videos, and I love the ardbeg core range, but I'm looking for the ardbeg's that I don't have, and I would appreciate it if you could tell me which one of the ardbeg's that I should go for outside the core range to buy, I love ardbeg's in general, you are the authority on ardbeg's, please let me know, and I might add that I have the ardbeg 19 year old also, so any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers brother, and keep the great videos coming !!!
All of the non-core range Ardbegs are really expensive and when you drink them you will appreciate the value of the core range even more. Cory and Uige are a great value. IF you can get a bottle of the Ardbeg Blaaaack 46% for under $150 USD buy it.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Hi Erik, I do appreciate the core range of ardbeg's, and the ardbeg 19 year old is a superb whiskey for me, however I would like to try another one that's older, cheers sir and keep the videos coming !!!
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I can't get the black where I live, it came on the shelves but I didn't pull the trigger and the next time I was there it was gone, so sad, I'm waiting to see if it comes back to the shelves, then I will buy 2 bottles, thanks for the info, and cheers 🍻 !!!
Nice review. It is $299 here in PA and a bit pricey for me but I may change my mind later. Anyway, I wish Ardbeg would bring out an age statement 13 to 15 year old in their core range. I know it will be more expensive than others but I might be more willing to pull the trigger on one than the 19.
I am in PA and still on the fence as well. $299 is really high for a 19. I get the story behind it but it seems at that price they are trying to be like Macallan.
I'm in Vancouver Canada and this isn't available. Closest we have is Ardbeg 25 XOP for $1300. I'd gladly pay $300 for 19 yr Ardbeg. I've been waiting forever for an older age statement Ardbeg
Hey Erik, tried the 19 last Wednesday in comparison with a new 15 cask strength from Dun Bheagan. Dun Bheagan won due to being bottled at a powerful cs @58.6% abv. carrying intense Ardbeg character along. However the 19 is more complex and from first glance I get why it'll be popular not just for collectors/speculators. Just hope over time it'll come down to its retail price. Until then I'll stick to my Laga 19 cs Feis ile which cost me less than Ardbeg 19 atm. ;-)
Thanks for the comments. Ya, I forgot to mention that it would be more worth the money if it had a higher abv. like a Committee Release but it was on the back of my mind.
Erik, another great review. Do you think the Dark Cove Committee Release is worth paying the current asking price of ~$400-500 (if one can even find it)?
Erik, could ya please tell me if there is a big difference in taste and smell between Highland Park 15 an' HP 18 ? ( in a wine store 80 bucks against 130 bucks accordingly)
I had paid €178 or about $200 for this bottle from The Netherlands but my package was returned because PostNL has recently started to Xray their packages and thats bad news for me and and some of my favorite online stores there. It was a no brainer for me at that price, but at 300 plus tax in Chicago i will have to think long and hard but im leaning towards not getting it. Another nice review and i like the beard!
Total bummer. I was willing to pay the extra $$$ because (besides being an Ardbeg fan) I am a Whisky Tuber and REALLY wanted to review it early before there are too many other videos out there. The first to review it were in German and I think I'm the third English-speaking person to review it, one day after Rob at Whisky in the 6. He reviewed a 1 ounce sample and compared it to the Coryvreken in a Live Stream.
Really good review Erik. It will come as no surprise to learn that it is impossible to purchase in the U.K, as usual. I'm an Ardbeg fan but apart from the core range the entire business sucks. They deliberately limit it to drive demand, price, and expectation. The way you desrcibe the Ardbeg 19 is how I would describe many older Islay whiskies. The peat diminishes and they can become extremely elegant which is not what many expect. Chris Goodrum (The Good Dram Show) always describes "burnt wood" as his Ardbeg 'tell' when guessing mystery Islay whisky. I love older Islay but it moves away from what we think as Islay. It loses punch, aggressiveness, bold flavour, and, of course, peat. It becomes toned down but delicious and well integrated. Ultimately though, I think this Ardbeg is overpriced regardless of quality. One year ago 18 year old whisky, except the rip off merchants of Macallan and Dalmore, was £100. Does Ardbeg really want to join that club? Incidentally, I just bought a bottle of Smokehead 18 for £120. It was released in 1910 so make of it what you will. If it's Ardbeg it's interesting. (The question of Smokehead remains - Is it Ardbeg?)
Eventually? You better apply now - Christmas is only 94 days away. Not sure how many people sitting on your lap will whisper “Dark Cove” in your ear, though. 😛
Ardbeg 10 is $100 CAD. The Coryyverckan is $201 CAD. The 19 is not carried in Ontario. In order to have the 19 shipped through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario I would be required to purchase a minimum of 1 case at about $6 000. Anyone here interested in splitting a case? LOL.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies If I sold them and got caught I would be in a boat load of 💩. Just in case you doubt the pricing I came up with, please consider this policy from the LCBO website: *What is the cost and mark-up for Privately Ordered products?* Typically the final cost per bottle of the product will be approximately three to four times higher than the retail price in the country of origin after application of exchange rates, LCBO mark up, freight, taxes and duty.
3 of us got together and bought it. Superb ... on our second now.
Hi Erik
I have an unopened bottle of this whiskey, but I am a ardbeg fan boy, I have all of the core range ardbeg's, but I just wanted to tell you that I am a devoted fan of your channel, and I can't wait until I open up this expression of ardbeg, thank you for your help in picking all my favorite ardbeg's, and I look forward to seeing more reviews of your ardbeg line up, cheers Erik, and may you keep up your great work on scotch whiskey !!
WOW!! Thanks, this means a lot to me. Version II of Traigh Bhan is available but it is SO expensive I have not bought a bottle.... and I am running out of room on my shelves.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies
Hi
I know where to pick up a bottle of the 2nd expression of the ardbeg traigh bhan 19 year old, even the price won't hold me back, I like you, love ardbeg whiskey and I try and buy any ardbeg that is new, cheers brother and keep the videos coming !!!
I have not tried it or heard of it! I will have to get the old Ardbeg 10... Pouring some An Oa before my afternoon nap!
Great review. I just got my bottle today and I am really enjoying it. I am really excited to see how this opens up over time. Keep the reviews coming.
Wow Erik, you really made this sound sooo tempting. This was a really thorough review and I want to thank you for discussing the Traigh Bhan in the context of all the other Ardbegs in your collection. It really helps those of us who have tasted them place this new offering in context. Instructive as always. Thank you!
Thank you for your review, and your no nonsense thoughts on price to value thoughts. I'm an Ardbeg fanatic and plan to buy a bottle if I see it..but you definitely gave me food for thought on how much I'm willing to spend. Thank you for that.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for another clearly presented and balanced review!
After watching it, I picked one of these up a few hours ago.
I have a few of their CR special releases and the 21 yo as well.
Thanks for the moral
Support to make that expense!
Gary
You just had to compare this to Octomore Erik.... now I have two bottles to buy, thank you very much!
Wow Erik, thank you for reviewing the Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 yo, as their so many on the fence on whether to purchase this dram. I would say if you in a place where you can pull the trigger do it, because there is no promise on how long this will be a part of the core range. Cheers on another excellent review!
Thanks for sharing this Eric ... great review! Hopefully, will get a chance to taste it soon!
Thanks. Nice review of the Ardbeg lineup. I think the Ugi is a good value. Have to pick another bottle of it. The 19 yo is out of my price range but I’ll watch for an opportunity to try a dram. The Midleton Dair Ghaelach ($270) is the most I’ve spent on a whiskey.
Hi Eric
Hope i spelled your name correctly, but I just wanted to say I'm an ardbeg fan boy like you, which of the ardbeg's that you have tried do you like the most, I have the 10, coryvercan, the ugi dal and the 19 year old, so please let me know what is your favorite ardbeg of date 📅, I'm a poor man and just love 💘 ardbeg but I would love to drink 🍸 a ardbeg that is a superb whiskey, money won't be a deciding issue, so tell me what is the best whiskey from your perspective !! Cheers brother and thanks for your videos !!!
My name is EriK with a "K". In March every year Ardbeg has a Committee Release bottled at cask strength and then in June they release a 46% ABV version for Ardbeg Day. Keep an eye out for those bottles every year. This past year was The Ardbeg Blaaack. A couple years ago they had their BEST - Ardbeg Dark Cove. From their core range the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail are the best. The 10 Year old has the highest quality/price ratio.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies
Thanks Erik
I will be looking for the groves I think of ardbeg, thanks for your recommendations, I love your reviews and I always look for any review that helps me find a good whiskey!!!
Definitely agree that Ardbeg 10 is one of the best for price to quality ratio. Back in 2014/2015 it was running about $39 in my area. Has gone up since then, but is still one of the best values for Islay single malts.
Fast work there Erik. Good review. Looking forward to getting mine home.
Being early (if not first) to review a whisky is key to getting more views and subscribers.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Hope it works
Thanks for the review! I am a BIG Ardbeg fan. Have all you mentioned including Wee Beasty, and Blaaaack. Actually have 2 of each. One for drinking one for collecting. My Dark Cove is of huge interest locally. Anyways.... THANKS AGAIN, missed last years 19yo release. Already reserved 2 for this year.
Thanks for watching!
The 19 year old is truly amazing. It does however, at least for me, require a small splash of water to open it up and truly reveal itself.
Great review Erik, I've had several Ardbegs over the last couple of years but they are way overpriced where I am, not sure if I'll pay the $399 CDN that it is projected to retail at.
Just was thinking about the price- 5 minutes ago- being being $400🇨🇦😱😬😱🤷♂️😱😬
Really super super!!! Greetings from Russia (Moscow)!)))
Another great job! If ever in doubt on describing Ardbeg just fall back on the classic line ...... "it has Ardbeginess!" Sante!
Eric:
Tràigh Bhàn (Traw Von or Wahn)=White Beach Tràigh is Beach (pronounced like Draw with a T) and Bàn is White. A grammar rule puts a H after the B createing the V sound where the stand alone Bàn would be (Bawhn). An H after a consonant either silences it as in Tràigh or makes a V or W sound as in Bhan. I lean to a V pronunciation here. This can also be seen in the Salutation SLÀINTE MHATH. The MH is pronounced like a V. Correctly written the A in each word would have accents known as a Fada which creates an (Awh) sound
The IRISH equivalent is Trá Bhán I am conversational in IRISH (Irish Gaelic) and I have been published in IRISH in The Irish Times in Dublin. Tip: People who speak Irish Gaelic use the term IRISH when referring to the language in English. Non-Speakers use the term Gaelic. Irish and Scottish Gaelic as you know come from the same root and they share many words but the spelling is slightly different because of time and geographic separation. It is a similar story to French in France and French in Quebec.
SLÁINTE
Mike
Funny while I was watching your review I kept thinking OK OK but is it worth the huge extra vs the (in my mind) awesome Corryvreckan. Kinda glad you confirmed I can stick to it for now, the price of this one is just way too steep for me.
Mind you my other Islay fave right now is Compass Box No Name which you also liked. How does the 19 compare to that one?
Great review Erik
THANKS!
Hi Erik
I have watched many of your videos, and I love the ardbeg core range, but I'm looking for the ardbeg's that I don't have, and I would appreciate it if you could tell me which one of the ardbeg's that I should go for outside the core range to buy, I love ardbeg's in general, you are the authority on ardbeg's, please let me know, and I might add that I have the ardbeg 19 year old also, so any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers brother, and keep the great videos coming !!!
All of the non-core range Ardbegs are really expensive and when you drink them you will appreciate the value of the core range even more. Cory and Uige are a great value. IF you can get a bottle of the Ardbeg Blaaaack 46% for under $150 USD buy it.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies
Hi Erik, I do appreciate the core range of ardbeg's, and the ardbeg 19 year old is a superb whiskey for me, however I would like to try another one that's older, cheers sir and keep the videos coming !!!
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies
I can't get the black where I live, it came on the shelves but I didn't pull the trigger and the next time I was there it was gone, so sad, I'm waiting to see if it comes back to the shelves, then I will buy 2 bottles, thanks for the info, and cheers 🍻 !!!
Nice review. It is $299 here in PA and a bit pricey for me but I may change my mind later. Anyway, I wish Ardbeg would bring out an age statement 13 to 15 year old in their core range. I know it will be more expensive than others but I might be more willing to pull the trigger on one than the 19.
I am in PA and still on the fence as well. $299 is really high for a 19. I get the story behind it but it seems at that price they are trying to be like Macallan.
I'm in Vancouver Canada and this isn't available. Closest we have is Ardbeg 25 XOP for $1300. I'd gladly pay $300 for 19 yr Ardbeg. I've been waiting forever for an older age statement Ardbeg
Hey Erik, tried the 19 last Wednesday in comparison with a new 15 cask strength from Dun Bheagan. Dun Bheagan won due to being bottled at a powerful cs @58.6% abv. carrying intense Ardbeg character along. However the 19 is more complex and from first glance I get why it'll be popular not just for collectors/speculators. Just hope over time it'll come down to its retail price. Until then I'll stick to my Laga 19 cs Feis ile which cost me less than Ardbeg 19 atm. ;-)
Thanks for the comments. Ya, I forgot to mention that it would be more worth the money if it had a higher abv. like a Committee Release but it was on the back of my mind.
Great job Erik... Not tried this one yet buddy... Looking to rectify that very soon buddy... Cheers Alan
Ah I could have got you one Alan. Sorry.
@@WhiskyMystery that's no probs Phil I will pick one up... I'm heading up to Scotland on weds... Cheers fella
Erik, another great review. Do you think the Dark Cove Committee Release is worth paying the current asking price of ~$400-500 (if one can even find it)?
That is a difficult question as to what constitutes "worth it" is very subjective. Would I pay $400-500 for it? Nope.
Thanks, @@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies. That's exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.
Erik, could ya please tell me if there is a big difference in taste and smell between Highland Park 15 an' HP 18 ? ( in a wine store 80 bucks against 130 bucks accordingly)
I had paid €178 or about $200 for this bottle from The Netherlands but my package was returned because PostNL has recently started to Xray their packages and thats bad news for me and and some of my favorite online stores there. It was a no brainer for me at that price, but at 300 plus tax in Chicago i will have to think long and hard but im leaning towards not getting it. Another nice review and i like the beard!
Total bummer. I was willing to pay the extra $$$ because (besides being an Ardbeg fan) I am a Whisky Tuber and REALLY wanted to review it early before there are too many other videos out there. The first to review it were in German and I think I'm the third English-speaking person to review it, one day after Rob at Whisky in the 6. He reviewed a 1 ounce sample and compared it to the Coryvreken in a Live Stream.
Really good review Erik. It will come as no surprise to learn that it is impossible to purchase in the U.K, as usual. I'm an Ardbeg fan but apart from the core range the entire business sucks. They deliberately limit it to drive demand, price, and expectation. The way you desrcibe the Ardbeg 19 is how I would describe many older Islay whiskies. The peat diminishes and they can become extremely elegant which is not what many expect. Chris Goodrum (The Good Dram Show) always describes "burnt wood" as his Ardbeg 'tell' when guessing mystery Islay whisky. I love older Islay but it moves away from what we think as Islay. It loses punch, aggressiveness, bold flavour, and, of course, peat. It becomes toned down but delicious and well integrated. Ultimately though, I think this Ardbeg is overpriced regardless of quality. One year ago 18 year old whisky, except the rip off merchants of Macallan and Dalmore, was £100. Does Ardbeg really want to join that club? Incidentally, I just bought a bottle of Smokehead 18 for £120. It was released in 1910 so make of it what you will. If it's Ardbeg it's interesting. (The question of Smokehead remains - Is it Ardbeg?)
oops, I meant 2010 not 1910. As a veteran of similar age I'm sure you can forgive the odd cock up.
Like the new look, Erik!
Eventually I'll be able to moonlight as a Santa Claus a the shopping mall.
Eventually? You better apply now - Christmas is only 94 days away. Not sure how many people sitting on your lap will whisper “Dark Cove” in your ear, though. 😛
Ardbeg 10 is $100 CAD. The Coryyverckan is $201 CAD. The 19 is not carried in Ontario. In order to have the 19 shipped through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario I would be required to purchase a minimum of 1 case at about $6 000. Anyone here interested in splitting a case? LOL.
If a case is 24 bottles (...) then sure! I'll take 2 bottles. Otherwise... eh. =)
Wow! To break even you'd have to sell them for $500 CAD.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies If I sold them and got caught I would be in a boat load of 💩.
Just in case you doubt the pricing I came up with, please consider this policy from the LCBO website:
*What is the cost and mark-up for Privately Ordered products?*
Typically the final cost per bottle of the product will be approximately three to four times higher than the retail price in the country of origin after application of exchange rates, LCBO mark up, freight, taxes and duty.
@@UsedBrain4U :-0
Whiskies changes in shoulder pour. 210 dollars
Don’t understand why it retails for so much less in Australia, just picked it up for $299 AUD which must be what, $150 USD?
Prices can vary a great deal all over the USA. It often it comes down to taxes and more taxes and more taxes and more taxes......
Stroll on.
Released in Washington state for $484.50 after our liquor tax.
So disappointed.
Holy hell why? Do Washington legislators hate freedom?!
THAT is ridiculous!
Oh dear. Not worth it.
The old Ardbegs are way overpriced, this is not "corry range" price at all, will stick to Ugadail instead
K&L just got some.
Dram Dude yep, and it’s $300 only 1 per customer. Thanks!
I’m a long time Ardbeg fan but at $299 at K&L. eh, doesn’t seem worth it. I’ll just buy a few 10s and save some $$
Definitely a great value play BUT if you ever get the opportunity to taste the Traigh Bhan you won't regret it.
Erik Wait will do. I’m going to Islay in 2021 so i’ll seek it out.
Why is American whisky went up so much?
European Single malt Scotch (among many other things) has an imposed tariff which increases prices.
What is there not to like? Maybe except the price, i mean a 19 YO Ardbeg....
The price is it's only flaw.