#Ardbeg #Islay #Smoke #ArdbegHypernova #HN22

ARDBEG HERALDS HYPERNOVA – THE SMOKIEST ARDBEG EVER

— Ardbeg Hypernova is set to pull palates into a whole new dimension —

In October of this year, Ardbeg will unleash its smokiest whisky ever: Ardbeg Hypernova.

An evolution of the highly-popular Supernova series, the Islay Distillery’s newest expression takes Ardbeg’s signature smoke into a new dimension with a powerful explosion of peaty flavour.

With phenol levels in excess of 170 ppm, Ardbeg Hypernova possesses a malty magnitude never before seen in an Ardbeg. On the nose, pungent notes of creosote mingle with soot and tar. On the palate, a bold peppery mouthfeel leads into a most curious juxtaposition of flavours – sweet chocolate, cooling peppermint, peat smoke, bitter almonds, and then a hugely long, lingering burst of spices like aniseed and clove. The finish collapses in on itself with enormous, heavy smoke, before returning to earthy notes of roasted coffee and smoked heather.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “Hypernova turns on the afterburners and hauls our spirit into smoky new depths. Highly experimental, this whisky is peaty and intense, with a taste that’s totally surreal. This spirit is not just a slice of Ardbeg history, it’s a once in a lifetime event… not to be missed!”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “This is without a doubt the smokiest Ardbeg ever. We wanted to really push the boundaries this time and boldly go where Ardbeg has never ventured before. A hypernova is a collapsing star explosion so powerful it threatens the fabric of the galaxy – while I don’t think this whisky will tear a hole in space and time, it’s certainly bursting with fantastically peaty flavour.”

Available exclusively to members of the Ardbeg Committee, Ardbeg Hypernova will be available online and in Embassies from October 2022. For those intrepid enough to venture to the Distillery, there will be a small number of bottles ready to buy in person. For more news on this series and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com/committee. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.

* parts per million

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg
Twitter: @Ardbeg
Instagram: @ardbeg

Tasting notes

PUNGENT PEAT SMOKE & CURIOUSLY FRUITY NOTES

COLOUR: Pale Sulphur

NOSE: Powerful, pungent and almost brutal in its intensity, waves of tar, smoke, sea salt and an almost ‘barnyard’ aroma fill the void. Ethereal whispers of fruit, reminiscent of flowering blackcurrants, float into bold bursts of peppermint. Water releases a flurry of more rounded top notes, with a touch of lavender and a slightly chocolaty sensation, before finally arriving at curious hints of plasticine and burnt rubber.

TASTE: An explosive, peppery mouthfeel launches the palate into a most bizarre juxtaposition of flavours – sweet chocolate, cooling mint, pungent peat smoke, bitter almonds, and then an infinitely long, lingering burst of spices like aniseed and clove.

FINISH: Descend into a finish that collapses in on itself with enormous, heavy smoke. Before returning to earthy notes of roasted coffee and smoked heather.

ABV: 51%

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 165,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at Ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100. Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.