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An
iconic whisky distillery on the remote island of Islay - which has
won the coveted World Whisky of the Year title two years running -
has launched a new single malt called Supernova, which the company is
describing as "the peatiest Ardbeg ever".
Three thousand bottles of
Ardbeg's latest whisky sold out in just 112 minutes when it was
offered for sale online to a group of enthusiasts - making it the
fastest selling whisky in the famous distillery's 194-year history.
Ardbeg Supernova - which takes
its name from the "galactic explosion" as stars end their
lives - was snapped up by members of the Ardbeg Committee, a group of
47,000 Ardbeg fans across 112 countries.
Ardbeg Supernova is created from
the most heavily peated Ardbeg stocks of varying distillation dates.
The new malt has peating levels well in excess of 100 parts per
million (milligrams per litre) making it the peatiest whisky Ardbeg
has ever produced. It is 40 per cent more peaty than the distillery's
best-selling Ardbeg Ten Years Old, which in 2008 was awarded World
Whisky of the Year by world-leading whisky expert Jim Murray.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of
Distilling and Whisky Creation, explained: "We expected a
good reaction when we offered a limited amount for sale online
recently but couldn't believe it when all 3000 preview bottles sold
out in 112 minutes. We're glad to say that the feedback has been
extremely positive and we are very excited that Supernova is now
available to buy at retailers.
"Ardbeg is already famed
for its peaty smoky flavour. For the creation of Ardbeg Supernova, we
analysed and tasted a wide range of different Ardbeg whiskies of
varying ages. We were looking for something that would deliver an
incredibly peaty, smoky flavour, but, most importantly, would also
give us the breathtaking balance and complexity for which Ardbeg is renowned."
Ardbeg Brand Director, Hamish
Torrie, added: "With its hot and sizzling taste and smooth
underlying creaminess, Ardbeg Supernova is a powerful and complex
single malt.
"With Ardbeg Supernova
you have nothing less than a "galactic explosion" of
flavours, with salt and pepper, roasted coffee, chilli, chocolate and
hand-rolling tobacco all contributing. It is not surprising it sold
out in record time."
Ardbeg Supernova is bottled at
high strength of 58.9% ABV and non chill-filtered. Its recommended
retail price is £79.99. It is available online and from selected
Oddbins stores across the UK, as well as key whisky specialist
outlets worldwide and online at www.ardbeg.com
In November last year, Ardbeg's
Uigeadail was named World Whisky of the Year 2009 in world-renowned
whisky expert and writer Jim Murray's "Whisky Bible" - the
second year running an Ardbeg whisky had won the award. Murray nosed
and re-tasted a staggering 1500 whiskies in writing the book.
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