Ardbeg Supernova...is it wort $336?

@Nozinan I think it all depends on what you can afford. I personally try not to go over $150 U.S. for a bottle. I can find 90+/100 whiskey for half that price. It limits me and there will be whiskey that I'll Never taste.

But, if I could afford it and price was no option, I'd get it ALL.

If you get a bottle, let me know how great it is. If you ever make it to my parts bring a tiny sample, haha.

Doubtful it's even worth half that.

The 2014 Ardbeg Supernova is nothing short of disappointing. Ardbeg has established the Supernova line as one of their showcase series, and they’ve priced it accordingly at $180 a bottle, but the 2014 release pales in comparison to the 2009 and 2010 releases. Part of the problem with this Ardbeg Supernova is the sheer amount of young malt in the blend.

I picked up a 2015 bottle from Total Wine ($139) reluctantly after reading some mixed reviews. I immediately went back for their 2nd and last bottle. This is a big whisky! I tasted along side two of my favorite Uigeadail batches and it was superior in ways that really fit my big whisky preference. For reference to give my comments context....I love the PC series and Lagavulin 12's. I love the clean flavors with this Supernova but the deeper oogy flavors are likely as good. It's the crazy development, nicer mouthfeel, and never ending finish that really set it apart. Pappy 15 is the only whisky I can compare the development to, it's got about 3 levels of increasing intensity before the long finish sets in.

no.

It's now or never, the supernova 2009 and 2010 are big in smoke and peat. The 2014 and 2015 Versions of supernova have younger whisky with less influence of smoke and peat! And Different profile. Ardbeg knew for sure that was was going to sell BIG time anyway.

I got a few bottles because I wanted to compare with the others. You could get better stuff For $336 though.

$336 sounds insane.

It's $165 on the shelf by me. I know there's the huge US v. Canada price difference but still. And I left it on the shelf at $165.

And forget the rarity angle. Even if that WAS a reason to buy something, it appears Ardbeg is going to keep cranking these out.

Also, I enjoyed the "wort" pun.

@OlJas

wasn't a PUN, just a typo...

Noz, just think of how many A'Bunadhs, Amruts and Bladnochs you could bunker for $336.

That would also be 3 Uigeadails, or 2/12 Corryvrekans or 4 Ardbeg 10s.

@BlueNote

Here...3 A'Bunad's with some change Amruts...4 of the Bourbon single cask if I could still find them (or needed them) or 3 peated CS No Bladnochs to be had in Canadas...anywhere...

Seems crazy for a nas. You could get a Springbank 21 for the same amount.

@PeatyZealot

Not in my parts, Springer 21s are almost double SN2015s.

Back on topic, I did get the 2 bottle limit of SN2015 for just under AUD$250 a bottle but I was partly motivated by its collectability (intrinsic value). If it were purely for consumption only, I would not have done so. I too believe that there is a plethora of really good stuff to be had in the sub AUD$150 mark.

@sengjc , isn't collectibility the opposite of intrinsic value?

@OlJas

Perceived value then :D

@OlJas Not necessarily.

I think you ma be confusing intrinsic value with intrinsic quality.

If the intrinsic value is in its collectability, you buy it to invest or boast, not because of the quality.

on the other hand, some things have their intrinsic value in the quality of the contents. Those you buy to drink.

The trouble is when you buy something for it quality and then it becomes valuable as a collectible. Macallan CS is one example. So then, do you drink it or do you sell it?

I have never collected to invest. The extra bottles I bought of on-off or soon to be rare expressions were meant as an insurance policy against what is now a growing trend of mediocrity and inflated price.

Sure, my Springbanks are worth more than when I bought them (Rundlets and Kilderkins selling for more than $400? - wow) but they'll never see the inside of an auction house.

I do admit I will have derive some satisfaction from serving these rare gems in the future, especially to friends who appreciate good quality whisky and are impressed with my offerings. But that kind of dividend isn't too selfish...

and I apologize for my poor English tonight.

Must have been the Balvenie...and English IS my third language.

@Nozinan, might I ask what your second language is?

The supernova went for about 160€ in Sweden. "the supernova" perhaps is worth it due to what it is. Would you buy another NAS for that price?

@Alexsweden French

"If the intrinsic value is in its collectability..."

I don't think that's a valid premise to begin with.

I recognize there's some cache to be found in bottles that are rare or expensive or hard to find or whatever, but that has no bearing on intrinsic value.

@OlJas I guess we're just defining the term differently...

@Nozinan

Then your first language must be Canadian. LOL.

@sengjc

Nice guess, but no

@Nozinan @sengjc I would love to try this at some point, but no way I am spending the $300 plus the LCBO wants for it. As for my guess, Hebrew?

@mscottydunc getting closer....

@thecyclingyogi

To Supernova or my first language?

@Nozinan language.