Ardbeg Supernova Launched Today – Peatiest Whisky ever Produced by the Islay Distillery Advance online release of 3000 bottles sells out in minutes

An iconic whisky distillery on the remote island of Islay – which has won the coveted World Whisky of the Year title two years running – has launched a new single malt called Supernova, which the company is describing as “the peatiest Ardbeg ever”.

Three thousand bottles of Ardbeg’s latest whisky sold out in just 112 minutes when it was offered for sale online to a group of enthusiasts – making it the fastest selling whisky in the famous distillery’s 194-year history. It is now on general release from today (Tuesday 5 May).

Ardbeg Supernova – which takes its name from the “galactic explosion” as stars end their lives – was snapped up by members of the Ardbeg Committee, a group of 47,000 Ardbeg fans across 112 countries.

Ardbeg Supernova is created from the most heavily peated Ardbeg stocks of varying distillation dates. The new malt has peating levels well in excess of 100 parts per million (milligrams per litre) making it the peatiest whisky Ardbeg has ever produced. It is 40 per cent more peaty than the distillery’s best-selling Ardbeg Ten Years Old, which in 2008 was awarded World Whisky of the Year by world-leading whisky expert Jim Murray.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, explained: “We expected a good reaction when we offered a limited amount for sale online recently but couldn’t believe it when all 3000 preview bottles sold out in 112 minutes. We’re glad to say that the feedback has been extremely positive and we are very excited that Supernova is now available to buy at retailers.

“Ardbeg is already famed for its peaty smoky flavour. For the creation of Ardbeg Supernova, we analysed and tasted a wide range of different Ardbeg whiskies of varying ages. We were looking for something that would deliver an incredibly peaty, smoky flavour, but, most importantly, would also give us the breathtaking balance and complexity for which Ardbeg is renowned.”

Ardbeg Brand Director, Hamish Torrie, added: “With its hot and sizzling taste and smooth underlying creaminess, Ardbeg Supernova is a powerful and complex single malt.

“With Ardbeg Supernova you have nothing less than a “galactic explosion” of flavours, with salt and pepper, roasted coffee, chilli, chocolate and hand-rolling tobacco all contributing. It is not surprising it sold out in record time.”

Ardbeg Supernova is bottled at high strength of 58.9% ABV and non chill-filtered. Its recommended retail price is £79.99. It is available online and from selected Oddbins stores across the UK, as well as key whisky specialist outlets worldwide and online at www.ardbeg.com

In November last year, Ardbeg’s Uigeadail was named World Whisky of the Year 2009 in world-renowned whisky expert and writer Jim Murray’s “Whisky Bible” – the second year running an Ardbeg whisky had won the award. Murray nosed and re-tasted a staggering 1500 whiskies in writing the book.

Your can read more information regarding Ardbeg Distillery at the Scottish Distillery reference on this site.

You can read more about Ardbeg Distillery on the distillery website.

<< See the range of Ardbeg Single Malt Whisky

<< Back to all the latest whisky news brought to you by Planet Whiskies