The Ardbeg shop promises the Supernova 2010 edition to be deeper, stronger and earthier than the 2009 edition. Let’s see if the slightly higher ABV really makes it different. Be sure to compare with my Ardbeg Supernova review of 2009.
Ardbeg Supernova
(60,1%, OB 2010)
Nose: it shares a lot of elements with the 2009 edition of course: oily peat, pepper, tobacco and a touch of citrus and apple. There are bigger notes of graphite and phenols / gouache paint in the 2009 edition. On the other hand Supernova 2010 seems to boast more sweet apple, grass and camomile (some call it soapy because of this, but I don’t really mind). I would say 2009 is rougher and 2010 is smoother and better balanced.
Mouth: very earthy and grassy now, with wet hay. Slightly less peaty than the 2009, or so it seems. Very bitter coffee. Some salty notes. Big big liquorice. Lemon zest. A bit of menthol and anise towards the end. A bit sharp and bitter maybe.
Finish: hot and quite sharp. Liquorice and dry pepper.
Ardbeg Supernova 2010 is very powerful. Deeper, stronger and earthier than last year? Well, not quite. On the nose, I was charmed by the balance of the new one, but on the palate the added harshness and bitterness push me towards the 2009 edition. In the end both are very similar, so there’s no reason to alter the score.
Score: 85/100
For what it’s worth, here’s a rough comparison. Mind that the differences are much more subtle than the plusses may indicate.
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| peat / smoke | +++ | +++ |
| sweetness /vanilla | +++ | ++ |
| citrus / fruit | ++ | + |
| graphite / phenols | ++ | +++ |
| spices / earthiness | ++ | +++ |
| lemon zest / bitterness | +++ | ++ |