You Gaze First, Then It's Time To Drink
March 23, 2021 6:54 PM   Subscribe

Scientists have noticed that different types of evaporating American whisky leave patterns (repeatable but not identical) on slides as they evaporate. Scotch, alas, and other types of whisky aged in reused barrels don't seem to exhibit the same tendencies. But the patterns are interesting, and if they lead to improvements in whisky, well then who can complain? Points to North Carolina State University for this vital research.
posted by Shotgun Shakespeare (17 comments total) 14 users marked this as a favorite
 
It's obviously webs of the whisky spiders.
posted by benzenedream at 7:49 PM on March 23, 2021 [1 favorite]


Does this explain the cobwebs in my head the next morning?
posted by jim in austin at 7:54 PM on March 23, 2021 [3 favorites]


But when they diluted the bourbon to about 40 proof, curious web-like patterns formed.

A hard sacrifice in the name of science.
posted by clavdivs at 7:56 PM on March 23, 2021 [2 favorites]


i would like to know which funding agency allowed them to purchase 23 year-old pappy van winkle.
posted by logicpunk at 9:05 PM on March 23, 2021 [6 favorites]


If I was Colonel Van Winkle or whoever I would actually send a bottle in to an experiment like this. And if I worked in unscrupulous bourbon marketing I would be having an absolute field day making up shit about these findings. "Our webs are tighter and more centred for a superior mouthfeel."
posted by turbid dahlia at 9:13 PM on March 23, 2021 [8 favorites]


Incidentally, 'The Whiskey Spiders' is the name of my new bluegrass band.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:56 PM on March 23, 2021 [5 favorites]


Aficionados can also purchase their favorite whiskey web pattern printed on an aluminum canvas

So much better than that machined-cotton billet stuff.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:36 PM on March 23, 2021


As a bartender, I will be using the phrase “Col. Van Winkle or whoever” as soon as the present situation possibly allows.
posted by hototogisu at 10:39 PM on March 23, 2021 [3 favorites]


I was taught that american ones are specifically spelled 'whiskey' or has there been an intentional shift to coordinate with the irish, scottish and japanese ones?
posted by cendawanita at 10:42 PM on March 23, 2021


an intentional shift to coordinate with the irish, scottish and japanese ones?

Although here (in Scotland) we'd call the Irish stuff "whiskey", but I'm not clear if that's because that's how it's spelled, or to distinguish it from our own.
posted by lewiseason at 1:19 AM on March 24, 2021


Late one evening at the lab, I received an unexpected visit from Dr. Elusive from the Biology department across the way. Upon detecting chemistry, I proposed we share a glass of the finest local ethanol. Eager to proceed, but finding myself without drink coasters, I quickly substituted some handy microscope slides. Within minutes we both exclaimed 'Eureka!' simultaneously. A study was born soon after...
posted by fairmettle at 3:14 AM on March 24, 2021 [1 favorite]




Aside from all the bourbon-is-a-grift LOLz, these patterns are really gorgeous and it's really cool that they differ so markedly from bourbon to bourbon. If there were an art gallery showing that was just these, titled by their bourbon, I'd pay to go to that. I'd also hope bourbon would be provided.
posted by mcstayinskool at 7:02 AM on March 24, 2021


Best part is the journal that published the piece: Garden & Gun. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"Lord preserve us and protect us, we've been drinking whiskey 'fore breakfast"...
posted by BWA at 8:17 AM on March 24, 2021


If there were an art gallery showing that was just these, titled by their bourbon, I'd pay to go to that. I'd also hope bourbon would be provided.

Gallery director: This multimedia exhibit is proving quite popular, if a bit expensive...
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:41 PM on March 24, 2021


Well, time to take one for the team and engage in some citizen science.
posted by vverse23 at 2:51 PM on March 24, 2021


Well, time to take one for the team one more for the road and engage in some citizen science.

FTFY
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:01 PM on March 24, 2021


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