Posted on 09/11/2015 11:47:10 AM PDT by BenLurkin
This past week, four tasters at the Ardbeg Distillery in Islay, Scotland drank samples of whiskey that had aged for nearly three years aboard the International Space Station. They compared the samples to whiskey that had matured in a similar way here on Earth. The team said the space samples were completely unlike anything they had ever tasted before; something about the space environment had a distinct effect on the alcoholic beverage. "It was the most unusual tasting wed ever done," Dr. Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whiskey creation at the Glenmorangie Company, told The Verge. "I was amazed at how different the samples were."
Lumsden hopes the test will help him learn more about the whiskey maturation process, but overall he prefers his whiskey aged on Earth. The space whiskey had a much smokier quality, with flavors 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." This was in contrast to the Earth-aged whiskey, which had richer flavors more characteristic of whiskey drinks. The space whiskey still had strong flavor, but they were strange, Lumsden said and not particularly good. He still has yet to figure out why. "That I havent been able to work out yet," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
Worthwhile science. A justified use of government funds.
Yeah yeah yeah. When do the superpowers kick in?
Mmmm. Iodine and burning tires.
We used Everclear and Grape Kool-Aid mixed up in a plastic trash can. We usually bought a new trash can for the occasion.
Space exploration is officially doomed. I refuse to go to space if my whiskey tastes like cough drops.
You are a bad man but I like your post!!!!
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.
Send up the refer gummy bears.
Everclear and Tang sounds ok by me.
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.
Maybe if we sent up some crap scotch, it might get better?
I believe the Galactic Bartender's Guide lists that as "Tranya".
LOL
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.
Good point. Got kind of burned out on scotch, but there’s some nice Ryes coming on the market these days.
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.
I prefer gin so I don’t have this problem.
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.
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.
On sale in New Hampshire.
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