Ardbeg Supernova (2010)

Review by: TOModera

And now for my reward for walking up a volcano but coming down a broken man (Frak I have to lose weight).

If you ask around on this board and say “I have a shit ton of money and want something rare”, you’ll be told to check out Ardbeg Supernova 2010, assuming that you like peat.

This is the peatiest Ardbeg ever made, at 100 ppm. Granted that could just be a gimmic (see my future review of Octomore), I was still interested. Ardbeg have done some interesting drams over the years, and in a lot of pubs, you can see them all. If I hadn’t had some hiccups with money during the trip, this review may very well be the Ardbeg 1977 and perhaps the Ardbeg “Almost There”.

But enough about what may have been, let’s talk the Ardbeg Supernova 2010.

Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Islay.

ABV: 60.1%. Cask strength.

Age: Unknown.

Cask type: Unknwon

Price: HA! You think I could find this in Canada? What are you, new?

Color: White dreams

Nose: Peat!, candied bacon, ANISE CANDY, sea air, vanilla, clean linen

Holy shit my heart may have stopped while I was nosing this. It took almost an hour to just get past the peaty smell, and you’re left with this wonderful bacon liquid. Pure bacon. This drink could turn hardcore Tea Totalers into raging drinkers, and the smell alone means that we’ll always know what pig smells like.

Taste: Pepper, anise, hot, peach, cocoa, cinnamon hearts, olive oil, jalapeño, cardamon, mushrooms, Salish, ginger

There’s a lot going on here, and it’s almost impossible to discern the different parts. It’s rich, it’s full, it’s strong as heck, and it’s deep.

Finish: Pepper beef, Thai chili, tart orange, peat, bacon, vanilla, iodine, coconut, peanuts, oatmeal

Almost sad that it’s over. Though as an added bonus, your breath smells like bacon for about 2 hours afterward, so the ladies will come running.

I like the finish on other Ardbeg’s better than this one. I think they missed out on a chance to add something a little more here. None the less, this is great.

Conclusion: Want some peat? Than try this. It’s peaty without losing out on other aspects or becoming a gimmick. There’s a lot of sweetness here, and well, Bacon. Tons of Bacon. Tasty, wonderful bacon. Man I miss Canadian bacon (not round ham, Bacon from Canada).

Final Score: 90.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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