Ardbeg Supernova: Space-Aged Peaty Whisky Series

An Incredibly Fascinating Series from the Ardbeg Distillery

One could say this is a truly cosmic series, which continues to spark considerable interest to this day.

What is Ardbeg Supernova?

• The Supernova series consists of limited-edition whiskies distilled with an exceptionally high peat level — around 100 ppm (parts per million) phenols, significantly more than the standard 50–60 ppm found in Ardbeg 10yo.

• The first release was the Stellar Release in 2009 (approx. 58.9% ABV, NAS, limited to 2,400–3,000 bottles), available exclusively to members of the Ardbeg Committee.

• Subsequent releases followed in: ◦ 2010 (~60% ABV) ◦ 2014 (55% ABV, matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks) ◦ 2015 (~54.3% ABV) Each was a Committee-exclusive bottling with consistently intense, smoky character.

• After four consecutive editions, a fifth was released in 2019, just as intense and labeled as possibly the last. Some have dubbed it “definitely the final one,” though Ardbeg is known to never say "never."

Why venture into space?

In 2011, Ardbeg Distillery partnered with American space research firm NanoRacks LLC to study how microgravity affects whisky maturation — specifically, how chemical compounds in the spirit interact with oak wood in zero gravity. This was the first experiment of its kind involving alcohol in space.

Supernova Releases

1. Supernova Stellar Release 2008 • Bottled: 2008 • ABV: 58.9% • Phenols: over 100 ppm • Bottles: 2,400 (Committee exclusive) • Tasting Notes: Intense, medicinal peat smoke, pepper, ginger, and citrus in the background

2. Supernova Stellar Release 2009 • Bottled: 2009 • ABV: 58.9% • Phenols: over 100 ppm • Bottles: 18,000 • Tasting Notes: Cold peat smoke, dried orange peel, bacon, citrus, vanilla, tobacco, espresso. Sweet vanilla start, strong body, good intensity, slightly astringent, with limited depth.

3. Supernova Stellar Release 2010 • Bottled: 2010 • ABV: 60.1% • Phenols: around 100 ppm • Tasting Notes: Dominant peat, smoke, spice, and citrus accents. Flavour: Strong and peaty with notes of smoke, vanilla, spice, and fruit. Finish: Long, dry, and smoky with lingering spice.

4. Ardbeg Supernova 2014 • Bottled: 2014 • ABV: 55% • Phenols: over 100 ppm • Bottles: 3,000 • Tasting Notes: Sweet-spicy aroma with hints of chili pepper and nectarines. Vanilla sweetness blends with peaty smoke. Toffee dominates the oily palate, with peat, smoke, and a spicy kick of ginger. Vanilla note on the finish.

5. Ardbeg Supernova 2015 • Bottled: 2015 • ABV: 54,3% • Phenols: over 100 ppm • Tasting Notes: Peppery nose with spicy herbs, followed by smoked fruits, seaweed, and fennel. On the palate, an explosion of spices, salted caramel, smoke, medicinal notes, tar, and hot chili. Extraordinarily long and peppery finish.

6. Ardbeg Supernova 2019 • Bottled: 2019 • ABV: 53.8% • Phenols: over 80 ppm • Tasting Notes: Initially smoky and sooty bouquet with a hint of anise. Fresh notes of eucalyptus and menthol intertwine with sweet toffee. On the palate: fresh mint and fennel with pervasive peat notes, reminiscent of a night by the campfire. Smoked oak meets cool menthol. The finish is exceptionally long and well-balanced, with smoke, sweetness, freshness, and spice giving way to Seville orange.

What exactly was sent to the ISS?

• Samples of freshly distilled Ardbeg new-make spirit • Fragments of charred oak wood, the same type used for whisky barrels These were placed in specially designed vials and sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz rocket, which launched from Kazakhstan on October 30, 2011.

Scientific Purpose

• To observe how lignins, cellulose, hemicellulose, and phenolic acids interact between spirit and wood in microgravity. • To compare the chemical reactions with a “world control” — an identical set stored under normal Earth conditions at Ardbeg Distillery.

Return and Analysis

After 1,000 days in space (about 2.7 years), the samples returned to Earth in September 2014. Scientists from NanoRacks and Ardbeg analyzed both the space and Earth samples. The results were surprising: • The chemical profiles were noticeably different. • Compounds like furfural and aldehydes appeared in different proportions. • Subtle differences in aromatic structure were detected — though the whisky didn’t age traditionally, it still showed distinct differences in how flavor compounds were extracted from oak. The goal wasn’t to create a drinkable whisky, but to pioneer the potential of fermentation and maturation in space.

Marketing Impact

• The event generated massive buzz in the whisky world and beyond. • To commemorate the experiment, Ardbeg Supernova 2014 was released with a space-themed design referencing the ISS research. • Ardbeg declared itself “the first distillery to reach for the stars.”

Fun Facts

• The experiment was officially called “The Ardbeg Space Experiment.” • It was considered a success — not just in marketing, but scientifically, as it provided unique data on the effects of microgravity on chemical extraction processes. • The project was even covered in scientific and popular science media, including Scientific American and the BBC.

Summary

Ardbeg Supernova is first and foremost a stellar series of whiskies for fans of bold, peaty single malts. Limited and collectible, each edition has excited Ardbeg Committee members and whisky lovers around the globe. If you're particularly interested in a specific release, I can help find its auction availability or share detailed tasting notes from various sources.