Whisky review: Ardbeg Supernova (2009 release)

Ardbeg was resurrected from the dead in the late 1990s and has since had a very cult-like following by some whisky enthusiasts. Ardbeg has been one of the major players in the "peatiness envy" that has gripped the industry in recent times, with their Supernova competing with the Port Charlotte releases from Bruichladdich to see who could have the biggest peat punch in a bottle.

This is the first release of the Supernova - a bottle my parents graciously picked up for me at the New Hampshire Liquor Store when I was still living in Boston.

Now that's what I call good parenting.

Ardbeg Supernova (2009 release), 58.9% ABV

 Single malt Scotch whisky (Islay)

Nose: Immediately alcoholic and phenolic. Damp grass and a dark peat richness. Some fruity sweetness develops after a while.

Palate: Gritty peat and smoke, with some claws into your tongue from the high alcohol content. After rolling it around for a while, the peat turns to a very aggressive coal flavor with a layer of red fruit behind it.

Finish: Peat, clean and clear, rolling off with some vanilla. The coal note lingers. Quite the exit.

Rating (of 100): 88. Pretty much a bottle of liquid peat. I've also tried the 2010 release, and remember preferring it a little bit to the 2009 because it had more sweetness in addition to the peat. Still, the 2009 is a great bottle for the peat lover, if you can find it.