Oh, I was supposed to be off today without reviews, but I forgot to post a second Ardbeg review yesterday (along with the Ardbeg Auriverdes) to celebrate the bicentenary of Ardbeg distillery. Therefor here’s a review of the Supernova 2014 I tasted last night to celebrate Ardbeg Day along with my friend Yori.

So Supernova 2014… It’s the third supernova release (following the very successful 2009 and 2010 releases) to celebrate the return to earth of a an ardbeg spirit that spent a couple of years in space. In short, just a marketing gimmick to release another whisky to the faithful followers of Ardbeg

Ardbeg Supernova 2014 (SN2014) (55%, £261)

Nose: A mild surprise here as there’s barely any trace of smoke and the 100+ppm is not aggressive (reminds me the Octomore Discovery in that sense). The peat is earthy and very clean (comparing to other Ardbegs). There’re fruits and lots of mellow lemon cream. With some time in the glass the smoke get stronger but not by much. I tried adding water and the smoke intensified and the fruits notes are lovelier  with nectarines and apricots.

Palate: OK, here’s the peat with smoke, lemon, sweet sugar but still very mellow comparing to other Ardbegs. With water: fruitier, sweeter and less smoke.

Finish: Medium length with lots of sweet lemon curd, earthy peat, smoke and oak wood spices and bitterness at the back.

Thoughts: It’s heavily peated but less smoky so a good off-road Ardbeg. But it’s disappointing whisky without much complexity. In fact, it felt flat and not worthy of the price tag it carried back then (nor today).