Jose-Massu-Espinel
Ardbeg Supernova 2010
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
June 14, 2023 (edited June 15, 2023)
Ardbeg's Supernova releases started back in 2009, and one year later they doubled the bet. The 2010 Supernova is one famous whisky, since it is a powerful dram at 60.1%abv.
I have had some supernovas before (2015, 2019) and the not-so-good Hypernova, and all of those offer a peaty explosion, let's see if this one lives to its legendary name.
On the nose, it starts with Ardbeg's beautiful peat; wet socks, cotton dipped in medicinal alcohol. Wet grass. This one can pierce your nose. This feels like the heart of Ardbeg. It smells like holding an acid prune next to your nose, while being at a Rainforest. After a first sip, the aroma became a fantastic lemon meringue. Perfect score here.
On the palate, it is really sweet, that was surprising. Impalpable sugar mixed with an scorching ginger. The most atomic black pepper explosion ever. Meringue sweets; brown sugar. It is like milk with sugar.
Aftetaste has the crazy notes. New shoes, socks, clean towels. It is so thick it feels chewable. Coal and pencil notes. Superinteresting.
Overall, this can change its name to "supersweet" instead of Supernova. Of course it has the peaty crazy notes, but it is mostly sweet, which might be appealing to non-traditional Ardbeg drinkers. A really wonderful dram with power and spices. I liked it a lot. Ardbeg was better. They must return to their former flavor glory. My score for it is 97 over 100.
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