Drink your single malt and put your helmet on...
September 9, 2015 8:11 AM Subscribe
In 2011, Ardbeg, a prominent Scotch whisky distiller, sent vials of its whisky to the International Space Station to mature. Those vials have been returned to Earth and subjected to taste tests alongside samples of the same whisky matured at Ardbeg's distillery.
Ardbeg has published a white paper on the results of the experiment, The Impact of Micro-Gravity on the Release of Oak Extractives Into Spirit (pdf), authored by Dr. Bill Lumsden, its Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks.
Not to be outdone, Suntory, the Japan-based distiller best known for its Yamazaki whisky, will be sending samples to the ISS for maturation as well.
If you are astronautically inclined (and don't turn your nose up at the mention of a blend), Ballantine's has unveiled a glass designed for zero-gravity whisky consumption.
Ardbeg has published a white paper on the results of the experiment, The Impact of Micro-Gravity on the Release of Oak Extractives Into Spirit (pdf), authored by Dr. Bill Lumsden, its Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks.
Not to be outdone, Suntory, the Japan-based distiller best known for its Yamazaki whisky, will be sending samples to the ISS for maturation as well.
If you are astronautically inclined (and don't turn your nose up at the mention of a blend), Ballantine's has unveiled a glass designed for zero-gravity whisky consumption.
TD;DR.
posted by eriko at 8:23 AM on September 9, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by eriko at 8:23 AM on September 9, 2015 [8 favorites]
Uh ground control, I'm not sure what happened, but the samples you sent up here seem to have evaporated...hic
posted by dabug at 8:26 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by dabug at 8:26 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
I remember reading Astronaut Jerry Linenger's book about his time staying on the Mir space station. He claimed the cosmonauts had a stash of vodka that they would break out on special occasions. They offered him some but, he claimed, his sense of professionalism made him decline.
I think it's safe to say that I am in no way professional enough where I would ever decline a glass of single malt, whether I was on Earth or in space, working or not.
There's no way in hell I'm going to read this paper, so can someone spoil it for me? Did it help? My guess is it didn't make a difference but I'm still in favor of sending scotch to space.
posted by bondcliff at 8:28 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I think it's safe to say that I am in no way professional enough where I would ever decline a glass of single malt, whether I was on Earth or in space, working or not.
There's no way in hell I'm going to read this paper, so can someone spoil it for me? Did it help? My guess is it didn't make a difference but I'm still in favor of sending scotch to space.
posted by bondcliff at 8:28 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
My guess is it didn't make a difference but I'm still in favor of sending scotch to space.
Your guess is wrong. It made both a chemically measurable and tastable difference.
posted by eriko at 8:29 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Your guess is wrong. It made both a chemically measurable and tastable difference.
posted by eriko at 8:29 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Your guess is wrong. It made both a chemically measurable and tastable difference.
This is why we have to invest in human spaceflight.
posted by bondcliff at 8:32 AM on September 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
This is why we have to invest in human spaceflight.
posted by bondcliff at 8:32 AM on September 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
As an Ardbeg drinker and "committee member" (I get their marketing emails, many of which have mentioned this experiment in recent years), I was actually surprised to read that there were chemically- and aesthetically-significant differences between the ISS samples and ground-based control samples. Actually kind of interesting.
posted by aught at 8:34 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by aught at 8:34 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
In the terms of science, was it the really low gravity or was it the intense G force of liftoff? Enquiring drunks want to know.
posted by njohnson23 at 8:37 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by njohnson23 at 8:37 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tastes strongly of Space Peat with significant contributions of Space Oak.
posted by Wolfdog at 8:38 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by Wolfdog at 8:38 AM on September 9, 2015
Volatiles were essentially indistinguishable (with the exception of furfural), but the compounds extracted from the wood were very different. Micro-gravity greatly inhibited extraction of the terpene flavour compounds (Vanillin was at just over half concentration in the micro-gravity sample compared to gravity control), however it enhanced extraction of a few, notably Ellagic acid and related compounds.
So, as the tasting notes say, it had a strong nose, not too different from a regular whiskey---the volatiles weren't that different---but had a " a very focussed flavour profile " compared to the earth-aged control, with an emphasis on fruity/smoky tastes. It was, apparently, quite different from the normal Aardbeg.
posted by bonehead at 8:42 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
So, as the tasting notes say, it had a strong nose, not too different from a regular whiskey---the volatiles weren't that different---but had a " a very focussed flavour profile " compared to the earth-aged control, with an emphasis on fruity/smoky tastes. It was, apparently, quite different from the normal Aardbeg.
posted by bonehead at 8:42 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
In the terms of science, was it the really low gravity or was it the intense G force of liftoff?
I think the spirit did not get mixed with the simulated oak barrel components until the experiment was safely in orbit, so I would say the former.
The other thing I am surprised by is that, even if the ISS samples had a different flavor and chemical breakdown, that the earth-based experiment samples had a recognizable Ardbeg flavor, given they were "aged" in a similar test apparatus and not the usual oak barrels.
posted by aught at 8:43 AM on September 9, 2015
I think the spirit did not get mixed with the simulated oak barrel components until the experiment was safely in orbit, so I would say the former.
The other thing I am surprised by is that, even if the ISS samples had a different flavor and chemical breakdown, that the earth-based experiment samples had a recognizable Ardbeg flavor, given they were "aged" in a similar test apparatus and not the usual oak barrels.
posted by aught at 8:43 AM on September 9, 2015
It's pretty important that the controls were a good simulation of the usual production process. It's no good doing the work if the model system doesn't replicate what you're trying to test.
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on September 9, 2015
Ardbeg? Not sure that was the best choice. I mean, crack one of those open on a space station and everybody'd start freaking out, looking for the fire causing that smoky smell!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:53 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:53 AM on September 9, 2015
Space booze! Makes you feel like you're in zero gravity! Yes, ossifer, I know how shuttle I was piloting my fast!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:55 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:55 AM on September 9, 2015
Gentlemen, we must shoot booze at the moon.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:56 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:56 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
I am willing to try both varieties of Ardbeg. For science.
posted by languagehat at 8:56 AM on September 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 8:56 AM on September 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
There is no scotch, no bourbon, no flavored vodka in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, shoot booze at the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to shoot booze at the moon. We choose to shoot booze at the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and distilling skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
Drink up.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:58 AM on September 9, 2015 [12 favorites]
We choose to shoot booze at the moon. We choose to shoot booze at the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and distilling skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
Drink up.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:58 AM on September 9, 2015 [12 favorites]
We do have our target for exploration.
One small sip for man, one... giant gulp for mankind.
posted by Devonian at 9:05 AM on September 9, 2015
One small sip for man, one... giant gulp for mankind.
posted by Devonian at 9:05 AM on September 9, 2015
I am willing to try both varieties of Ardbeg. For science.
Time for another Fantastic Four reboot?
posted by ghost phoneme at 9:06 AM on September 9, 2015
Time for another Fantastic Four reboot?
posted by ghost phoneme at 9:06 AM on September 9, 2015
Now we need to find out if the ice from Europa is the best ice for chilling a martini.
posted by bondcliff at 9:28 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by bondcliff at 9:28 AM on September 9, 2015
Me again (hic). Should we have included a bottle of Scotch on the Voyager space craft? Centuries later, alien invasion looking for a good single malt...
posted by njohnson23 at 9:34 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by njohnson23 at 9:34 AM on September 9, 2015
Bottle-aging scotch really isn't a thing. No, we need to shoot oak barrels at the moon. Perhaps we need to revisit some older ideas.
posted by bonehead at 9:40 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by bonehead at 9:40 AM on September 9, 2015
In (the) heaven(s) there is no beer. But there is now whisky.
But he question still remains: if Bill Murray did a Suntory commercial in in orbit, would he be more or less alienated than if he did one in Tokyo?
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:49 AM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
But he question still remains: if Bill Murray did a Suntory commercial in in orbit, would he be more or less alienated than if he did one in Tokyo?
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:49 AM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
But he question still remains Bill Murray did a Suntory commercial in in orbit, would he be more or less alienated than if he did one in Tokyo?
It depends. Can I push Giovanni Ribisi out of the airlock?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:51 AM on September 9, 2015
It depends. Can I push Giovanni Ribisi out of the airlock?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:51 AM on September 9, 2015
Captain Haddock was all over this, way back in 1950.
posted by Flashman at 10:21 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Flashman at 10:21 AM on September 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
Last fall, when I went to Scotland with my father, our extremely chatty innkeeper in Edinburgh held forth at some length on night on his theory that Neil Armstrong ("Obviously a Scot!") left a bottle of single malt hidden somewhere on the moon, "in case a man gets stuck up there."
I have forwarded this article on to him.
posted by thivaia at 11:16 AM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have forwarded this article on to him.
posted by thivaia at 11:16 AM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
We choose to drink whisky in space not because it is easy, but because it is tasty.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm really looking forward to "space-aged" being the new industry buzzword.
posted by naju at 11:27 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by naju at 11:27 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would not turn down a dram of Ardbeg of any sort, terrestrial or space-aged.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 12:44 PM on September 9, 2015
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 12:44 PM on September 9, 2015
I mean, crack one of those open on a space station and everybody'd start freaking out, looking for the fire causing that smoky smell!
My brother-in-law got me a bottle of Ardbeg for Christmas one year. He said it was like drinking a campfire, which is perhaps a little florid but has a point. That description did nothing as far as convincing my wife to try it. So, more for me, then. ;)
I would happily do a taste-test comparison.
posted by nubs at 1:21 PM on September 9, 2015
My brother-in-law got me a bottle of Ardbeg for Christmas one year. He said it was like drinking a campfire, which is perhaps a little florid but has a point. That description did nothing as far as convincing my wife to try it. So, more for me, then. ;)
I would happily do a taste-test comparison.
posted by nubs at 1:21 PM on September 9, 2015
Hmm, maybe crewed space flight can do useful things after all.
posted by Drinky Die at 2:20 PM on September 9, 2015
posted by Drinky Die at 2:20 PM on September 9, 2015
I wrote this up yesterday. It's fun, but the descriptions really are hilarious to me:
Control Sample – a.b.v. 58.4%, reduced to 26% for tasting
Aroma – Very woody, hints of cedar wood, sweet smoke and aged balsamic vinegar. Hints of raisins, treacle toffee, vanilla and burnt oranges. Very reminiscent of an aged Ardbeg style.
Taste – Dry palate, woody/balsamic flavours, sweet smoke and clove oil. A distant fruitiness (prunes/dates), some charcoal and antiseptic notes. The aftertaste is long, lingering and typically Ardbeg, with flavours of gentle smoke, briar wood, tar and some sweet, creamy fudge.
ISS Sample – a.b.v. 56.0%, reduced to 26% for tasting
Aroma – Intense and rounded, with notes of antiseptic smoke, rubber, smoked fish and a curious, perfumed note , like cassis or violet. Powerful woody notes, hints of graphite and some vanilla. This then leads into very earthy/soil notes, a savoury, beefy aroma, and then hints of rum & raisin
flavoured ice cream.
Taste – A very focussed flavour profile, with smoked fruits (prunes, raisins, sugared plums and cherries), earthy peat smoke, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon and smoked bacon or hickory-smoked ham. The aftertaste is pungent, intense and long, with hints of wood, antiseptic lozenges and rubbery smoke.
Antiseptic smoke, rubber, rubbery smoke, peat smoke, smoked bacon and ham, and smoked fish! With just a hint of graphite.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 3:19 PM on September 9, 2015
Control Sample – a.b.v. 58.4%, reduced to 26% for tasting
Aroma – Very woody, hints of cedar wood, sweet smoke and aged balsamic vinegar. Hints of raisins, treacle toffee, vanilla and burnt oranges. Very reminiscent of an aged Ardbeg style.
Taste – Dry palate, woody/balsamic flavours, sweet smoke and clove oil. A distant fruitiness (prunes/dates), some charcoal and antiseptic notes. The aftertaste is long, lingering and typically Ardbeg, with flavours of gentle smoke, briar wood, tar and some sweet, creamy fudge.
ISS Sample – a.b.v. 56.0%, reduced to 26% for tasting
Aroma – Intense and rounded, with notes of antiseptic smoke, rubber, smoked fish and a curious, perfumed note , like cassis or violet. Powerful woody notes, hints of graphite and some vanilla. This then leads into very earthy/soil notes, a savoury, beefy aroma, and then hints of rum & raisin
flavoured ice cream.
Taste – A very focussed flavour profile, with smoked fruits (prunes, raisins, sugared plums and cherries), earthy peat smoke, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon and smoked bacon or hickory-smoked ham. The aftertaste is pungent, intense and long, with hints of wood, antiseptic lozenges and rubbery smoke.
Antiseptic smoke, rubber, rubbery smoke, peat smoke, smoked bacon and ham, and smoked fish! With just a hint of graphite.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 3:19 PM on September 9, 2015
Antiseptic smoke, rubber, rubbery smoke, peat smoke, smoked bacon and ham, and smoked fish! With just a hint of graphite.
Believe it or not, this is a thing for brewers, vintners and distillers -- 33 of The Most Bizarre Flavors Found in Wine. Petrol, diesel, tar ... baby diapers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:31 PM on September 9, 2015
Believe it or not, this is a thing for brewers, vintners and distillers -- 33 of The Most Bizarre Flavors Found in Wine. Petrol, diesel, tar ... baby diapers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:31 PM on September 9, 2015
With just a hint of graphite.
"Pencil shavings" is also totally a thing.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:53 PM on September 9, 2015
"Pencil shavings" is also totally a thing.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:53 PM on September 9, 2015
Antiseptic smoke, rubber, rubbery smoke, peat smoke, smoked bacon and ham, and smoked fish!
That's earthy peat smoke.
posted by nubs at 4:06 PM on September 9, 2015
That's earthy peat smoke.
posted by nubs at 4:06 PM on September 9, 2015
What seriously no space tag? But peat made the grade? That's it. I'm having a drink. Something strong. Preferably grown-up.
I know! I'll have a booze!
posted by Mike Mongo at 7:39 PM on September 9, 2015
I know! I'll have a booze!
posted by Mike Mongo at 7:39 PM on September 9, 2015
So this is where the angel's share goes.
posted by salishsea at 3:24 PM on September 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by salishsea at 3:24 PM on September 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
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