Space the final frontier. Ardbeg Supernova 2015 the final release. Can’t help but think something like that was going on in the heads of the marketing department at Ardbeg. This is indeed the final release of the Supernova series. At least Ardbeg says so. In case you are unfamiliar, the idea behind the Supernova series is to experiment with unusually high peat levels (even for an Ardbeg). They were at one time touted to be the peatiest of whiskies but the Bruichladdich Octomore sort of muscled into that category. Regardless of the peat arms race, these are uncontested peat beasts. Not for the faint of heart or palate.

This release coincided with the publishing of the results from their famous space whisky experiment in which they sent vials of Ardbeg spirit into space with cask shavings to see how microgravity effects whisky maturation. Seem a little far fetched in concept? Well yeah. Basically the owner of NanoRacks, a company producing specialized space lab equipment, approached Ardbeg/ Dr. Bill Lumsden about sending some of their whisky into space. Presumably to attain a life time’s worth of free whisky or something like that. I’ll have to devise some scheme to do just the same.

 

Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery

Age: NAS

ABV: 54.3%

Price: £125

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TheMadVatter

Nose

Heavy waves of smoke followed by creamy fruitiness. Pineapples upside down cake. That distinct Ardbeg herbal peat like wet moss and pine trees. New saddle leather.

Taste

Heavy shrouds of peat behind which cream and fruit lay. Bowl of fruit salad with whipped cream and sugar. Tingly licorice mix of medicinal herbs like ginseng and wild berries. Wild rasberries and strawberries. A bit citrusy and bitter as well like lime rinds.

Finish

Long lasting smoke and tartness from baked pineapples. Bit of cherry bakewell puddings.

Rating

8.5

Afterthoughts

Bold! It hits you hard. Big flavours and of course big peat! If you like Ardbeg or Islay whiskies in general it’s hard to imagine you won’t like this one. I find it much more enjoyable than either of the releases of the Perpetuum. This one seems to have more direction and purpose. It’s well balanced for a heavy peat hitter. Actually surprisingly nuanced in some of the flavours. The way the fruit and creaminess melds with the herbal peat brutal nature. Just a lot of fun. If you aren’t a peat fan than obviously this won’t be your cup of tea. It’s on the pricey side but I think of it as a treat yo-self kind of whisky.

 

AliceInWhiskyland

Nose

Pine needles burning. Earthy and rich.

Taste

Rich, earthy peat. Laced with sherry notes. Dried fruits and butterscotch.

Finish

Peat dissipates leaving a sweet rich footprint that lingers.

Rating

8

Afterthoughts

Peat freak paradise. Excellently balanced and complex dram.