Whiskey aged in space tastes like throat lozenges and rubbery smoke

theverge.com ^ | September 10, 2015 09:34 am | Loren Grush

[toast]

Worthwhile science. A justified use of government funds.

[RansomOttawa]

The space whiskey still had strong flavor, but they were strange, Lumsden said — and not particularly good.

Yeah yeah yeah. When do the superpowers kick in?

[ozzymandus]

Mmmm. Iodine and burning tires.

[ozzymandus]

We used Everclear and Grape Kool-Aid mixed up in a plastic trash can. We usually bought a new trash can for the occasion.

[cpdiii]

Space exploration is officially doomed. I refuse to go to space if my whiskey tastes like cough drops.

[cpdiii]

They should name it for my ex then.

You are a bad man but I like your post!!!!

[Lurker]

They’d have to be or there would be alcohol vapors all over the station. Not safe at all. I’d love to see the rig they used.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Send up the refer gummy bears.

[OldNewYork]

Everclear and Tang sounds ok by me.

[Charles Martel]

The space whisky had a much smokies quality, with flavor so akin to cherries, prunes, raisins, and cinnamon, he said. He also noted that the whiskey's aftertaste was "pungent, intense, and long, with hints of wood, antiseptic lozenges, and rubbery smoke.

It sounds like microgravity (or being aged in what is probably a fully-sealed "cask") enhances the phenolic kick of an Islay single-malt. However, the throat lozenges and rubbery smoke comments make me wonder if some prankster didn't simply swap out the Ardbeg sample for some Laphroaig.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Maybe if we sent up some crap scotch, it might get better?

[Charles Martel]

I think the alternative is Everclear and Tang.

I believe the Galactic Bartender's Guide lists that as "Tranya".

[Tijeras_Slim]

LOL

[Charles Martel]

I dunno - crappy whisky might only be rendered crappier by the process. It does seem to take what the whisky has the most of, and amplify it.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good point. Got kind of burned out on scotch, but there’s some nice Ryes coming on the market these days.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Yes I’d guess it is necessary for safety... but a simulation of the earthly aging process it isn’t, and not just for reasons of zero gravity. The escaping alcohol carries some things away from the mix, probably including the stuff they are saying tastes strange.

[central_va]

I prefer gin so I don’t have this problem.

[Charles Martel]

Yes, the rye market is really expanding. I like to try the domestic single-malt whiskers too - stuff like Stranahan’s from Colorado or Balcones from Texas. Kinda like scotch, but with a much different character.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I’ve had the Balcones Corn Whisky, which was interesting (not in that I can’t think of anything nice way). I’ve seen Stranahan’s but haven’t tried it. Taos Lightning, made here in NM is OK.

I really want to try Lyon Maryland Rye (MD lost it’s last rye distillery in 1973) being made on the Eastern Shore. It’s about 5 miles from where my Mom lives.

[cynwoody]

Thanks, I'll stick with the earthbound stuff.

On sale in New Hampshire.