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Ardbeg celebrates return from space with release of SUPERNOVA 2014

Published:  29 August, 2014

Ardbeg is celebrating its upcoming return from space on September 12 by releasing its third edition of Supernova 2014.

Ardbeg's Supernova 2014Ardbeg's Supernova 2014Ardbeg's Supernova 2014 the third edition is set to be released on September 12

Ardbeg sent a vial of whisky into space three years ago as part of an experiment and it has been orbiting the globe aboard the International Space Station ever since.  

In celebration of the its return, which is scheduled on September 12, the third limited edition of the Islay malt whisky producer will be released on the same day.

The vial is expected to re-enter earth's atmosphere in the Soyuz-U Rocket, which set to land in Kazakhstan. It will then be transported to Houston, Texas where further analysis will be conducted against a test sample that has been held at Ardbeg's warehouse #3.

The study, which is the first of its kind, is being led by Ardbeg's director of distilling and whisky creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden and is being jointly conducted with US-based space research company NanoRacks LLC.

Lumsden said: " We are now close to the end, close to finding answers to something previously unknown, which is truly exciting."

The research findings are expected to published in 2015.

Whisky has seen substantial growth in recent in years, particularly among premium and ultra-premium whiskies, the category that Ardbeg whiskies tend to fall into.

Collectible and limited edition whisky has seen substantial growth in auction houses in recent years  as well.  According to Whisky Highland, an investment site that focuses on investments in Scotch whisky, the number of bottles sold at auction in 2013 rose 372% in just three years.  In 2013 20,211 bottles were sold compared to 5,431 in 2010.

According to the Whisky Highlands Index, which provides guidance on the top distilleries who have produced collectible bottles, Ardbeg is the sixth most collectible whisky brand. The data used is taken from UK auction values rather than retail whisky sales.

Supernova 2014 will be available at Ardbeg Embassies and Moët Hennessy Selection with an RRP £124.99.

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