Ardbeg Hypernova

A hypernova is the stupendously energetic result of a massive star (30 times our Suns mass) collapsing in on itself, forming a rotating black hole and emitting twin astrophysical jets surrounded by an accretion disk and a luminosity that is 10 times greater than that of an entire galaxy. Ardbeg are making a big call with this naming. I am looking for a density and depth of flavor unparalleled and with the ability to eject new flavors and experiences from whisky that leave me blinded by its force. And for AU$399 a bottle I think that would be a reasonable expectation. Let’s find out.. Nose: Powerful yet restrained. Heavy with salty tar and straw bales. This already reminds me of summers creosoting stable blocks… A lifting brightness of menthol offsets what I thought would be an overwhelming smoke (this is claimed to be Ardbegs smokiest beast). The smoke is interesting, not so much wood smoke, but more chemical fire smoke like petrol, the peaty presence is clear but smoky is a difficult claim to make. Super curious. The longer I sit on this the more I think there may be a delicate floral note. Palate: Boom. There it is. That is a bit of a monster, oily clingy and laden with liquid smoke whacks you with pepper, a charred beef mixed with a slightly metallic grill pan, almond, aniseed, clove, iodine, salt There is a lot going on here. It’s super dense though and hard to find whats going on. Finish: Long. Smoke is all encompassing and has an aromatic tobacco quality with a strong pepper bite. A dash of water, now things get interesting. The nose softens and expands into a very subtle wild berry tart fruitiness and the menthol turns to peppermint. The palate calms significantly the brine builds, the fatty meaty bite rounds and loses its metallic undertone, some chocolate creamy texture builds and even introduces a crisp slightly toffee apple freshness with a beautiful waxy lemon rind. The finish doesn’t seem to vary much but the pepper has subsided. Was this stupendous on a galactic scale? No. Was this none the less, huge, complex, energetic, and bursting with everything but the kitchen sink? Yeah, just about. I enjoyed this, a lot, downsides, is it just a little too dense leading to palate exhaustion? Perhaps. I’m not qualified to judge, I’m neither a whisky expert nor an astrophysicist. Also, perhaps their peatiest whisky ever but this doesn't come close to the smoke presence of others. As good as this was, I don’t think an AU$400 price tag is warranted when I think a regular Port Charlotte 10 is probably just as good to better. I know Ardbeg die hards will tell me I’m wrong, [Pictured here with another wee beastie a trilobite called Coltraneia oufatenensis, named after the jazz legend John Coltrane. This chap came for Jebel Issomour in Morocco and is about 393-382 million years old. When it comes to the best eyes in the animal kingdom, past or present, trilobites are hard to beat. These eyes are probably the best of the best. The enormous eyes take up approximately half the width of the head suggesting a vital need for excellent vision] Ardbeg running scores: Ardbeg 10: 4.25/5 Wee Beastie: 3/5 Corryvreckan: 4.5/5 An oa: 4/5 Hypernova 2022: 4.25/5

The liquid appears thin in the glass. A swirl coats the sides but quickly retreats, leaving a few faint streaks that disappear within a minute. The aroma presents classic Ardbeg characteristics: dry hay, earthy peat, pear, a hint of diesel, and sea salt potato chips. It's good, but not significantly different from the 10-year. The initial taste is unexpectedly sweet, with the pears from the nose transforming into charred and salted notes on the palate, offering a pleasant sweet and savory interplay. The peat emerges mid-palate, not intrusively, but adding depth to an otherwise somewhat uniform, though enjoyable, flavor profile. The peat carries through the mid-palate, moving from briny seaweed to dry cigar ash by the finish, with the smoky ash lingering for about 10-15 seconds. While I'm fond of Laphroaig, I constantly seek a second favorite, and Ardbeg often comes to mind. This implies I've sampled numerous Ardbeg releases. I've experienced many committee bottlings, the Anthology series, special editions, and all the standard offerings. Some were excellent (Scorch, Airigh Nam Beist, Harpy's Tale), some are consistently great (10, Wee Beastie), and some don't live up to the anticipation (many of the 19-year expressions, for instance). This Hypernova bottling falls into the latter category. It's enjoyable, but unremarkable. It's costly. I don't regret the purchase, but I feel I could have acquired two bottles of Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength plus a Wee Beastie for the same price, and I favor those significantly more. I would advise anyone not devoted to Ardbeg to try it at a bar or obtain a sample before committing to a full bottle. If you are an Ardbeg enthusiast, it will find its place on your shelf among less frequently used bottles like Drum, Ardcore, and that very old Perpetuum you hesitate to finish.

This 2022 committee release from Ardbeg certainly generated buzz, touted as their smokiest bottling yet (supposedly) with 170 ppm peat, known as Hypernova. Anyone familiar with the "Supernova" series likely recalls those as perhaps the finest from this Islay producer. Consequently, Hypernova held significant promise. As some may know, a supernova is a stellar explosion, while a hypernova represents a more colossal event where a supernova's core collapses into a black hole. At 51% ABV, its appearance is a light straw hue. The aroma presents a typical Ardbeg profile. Expect mint, automotive air freshener, lime, spice, and hints of tequila. It bears a strong resemblance to Octomore. Notes of povidone, Vaseline, Vicks VapoRub, shoe polish, and an aged He-Man toy emerge. Following the initial taste, it offered a sensation of wet paint. The palate begins with white chocolate, transitioning into a rich herbal character; think tea and moss. There's also a touch of red chili. The finish is quite subdued. Moss, chili, and herbal tea linger briefly. The aftertaste is very brief. Ultimately, this was quite a letdown. Marketed as "the smokiest Ardbeg ever," it failed to deliver any significant smoke for me. Peat doesn't always equate to smoke. It lacks the intensity expected of a Hypernova and is decidedly less potent than any of the Supernova bottlings. Predictable, uncomplicated, and dull. It felt akin to a lesser version of an Octomore (which isn't my preferred style). I rate this rather ordinary whisky an 84 out of 100, and given its cost, it's best avoided.

By attaching the prefix "hype" to its third special edition this year, Ardbeg might be seen as mocking anyone who questions the speed of its new releases. On the surface, this is a continuation of its well-known and popular Supernova line, but long-time Ardbeg enthusiasts might wonder if it will reach the same incredible quality. A generous serving at the New York debut offers positive signs. The aroma is a refreshing, minty peat, combined with lime, chocolate, and a hint of heather. It tastes sweet, zesty, and tart, reminiscent of a chocolate-lime sweet. The finish is lingering, smoky, sweet, and slightly bitter – I pictured myself tasting a smoked fish. It's definitely more peaty than Ardbeg 10, but not as intense as the most extreme Octomores. Overall, it's a respectable drink, and I would happily get a bottle for my collection if the cost were more sensible.

The aroma is overwhelmingly smoky, so intense it feels sharp, obscuring most other scents. The flavor is somewhat excessive. It leans away from the enjoyable peat and fire characteristic of Ardbeg towards an ashtray and charcoal profile. The body is acceptable, and the whiskey flavors are good, but the smoke itself is the wrong kind. It's more ash than peat. I never imagined an Ardbeg would be too smoky for me, but this particular flavor isn't working. ​

Chemically, high pitched peat, and ground after rain on the nose. Some smokeiness as well. More vegetal, earthy, peat smoke than the other bbq style smoke from other distillery products on the palate. Intense ashtray smoke and peat on the finish. Overall, fairly sanitized tasting like a hospital. Funky and unique.