One small sip for man: Scientists plan to blast Scotch whisky into space for five years to create a 'bolder' flavour

Daily Mail ^ | 10/05/2026 | Xantha Leatham

[BenLurkin]

For centuries, whisky makers have relied on time, patience and oak casks to craft the perfect dram.

Now scientists want to speed things up by doing something no distiller has ever attempted before – ageing Scotch in space.

Scotland’s national drink will be matured in orbit for the first time as part of an experiment which will also measure how the spirit develops in the harsh environment beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

Engineers in Scotland and Japan are planning to put Scotch on a rocket in 2028, sending a satellite containing samples of whisky and its base ingredients on a five-year mission to orbit the Earth.

It is hoped the frequent changes between extreme heat and freezing cold experienced by the whisky as it circles the planet every 90 minutes could speed up the maturation process.

This could potentially open the door to future production of space-aged whisky, which scientists say could have ‘very bold’ flavours as a result of its unusual journey.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: deaconblues

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Just zap it with some X-rays.

[Dr. Sivana]

Whattaya mean no Scotch on board? What else would ya have a five year mission for, laddie?

[algore]

so who gets to drink it ?

[PGR88]

Does radiation help develop flavor?

[dfwgator]

Learn to work the saxophone
(I) I play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long
And die behind the wheel

[kawhill]

“on a five-year mission”. ‘A five year mission to boldly go where no whiskey has gone before’.

[dfwgator]

[dfwgator]

I thought they drank Romulan Ale.

[Hot Tabasco]

Now you know why the aliens are visiting us and likely hiding behind the moon......Just waiting for the whiskey to mature.

[Magnum44]

[Dr. Sivana]

Nope. In “By Any Other Name” Scotty drinks Tomar under the table with Scotch Whiskey, his weapon of choice. Scotch was his choice at various other times.

[Red Badger]

Steely Dan!...............

[GMThrust]

Deacon Blues! I saw the words and started singing it. Thanks for the memories.

[Ezekiel]

"He's dead Jim Beam me up."

[Magnum44]

Clever!

[SpaceBar]

The quotes need to be around the word scientists not bolder.

[Texas Eagle]

And if any of you homos chase that with a rocket full of pickle juice or Pepsi, I’ll kill you.

[null and void]

That’s one way to get a high...

[Jeff Chandler]

if any of you homos chase that

A chaser with Scotch? Nooooooooo!