Ardbeg's 2022 committee release was an exciting one, their "smokiest" expression to this date (allegedly) with 170 ppm of peat, of course we are talking about Hypernova. If you have ever tasted the "Supernova" expressions, you probably know those ones are arguably the best from this Islay Distillery. That is why Hypernova, promised so much. As you might already know, a Supernova is the explosion of a star; while a Hypernova is a greater explosion where the core of a star that became a supernova, crashes into a black hole. Bottled at 51%abv, this has a pale straw color. On the nose, it has a classic Ardbeg note. Mint, taxi air freshener, lime, spicy and some tequila notes. It resembles a lot to an Octomore. Povidone, vaseline, Vick's Vaporub, shoe polish, and an old toy from He-Man and the Masters of the universe.  After a first sip it gave me wet paint. On the palate, it starts with a white chocolate note and then a full herbal note; tea and moss. Red chilli. There is not much on the finish. Moss, chilli, herbal tea. Very short aftertaste. Overall, this was very dissapointing. Marketed as "the smokiest Ardbeg ever" and it did not gave me one bit of smoke. Peat sometimes is not equal to smoke. It is not overly powerful to feel like a Hypernova and it is certainly weaker that every one of the Supernova expressions. Linear, simple and boring. It felt like a junior version of an Octomore (which i am not the fondest fan). My score for this very normal whisky is 84 over 100, and for the price it goes, this should be avoided.