REAL LIFE NEWS: WHISKY... IN... SPAAAAACE!
by Hazed
Back in October 2011, the Ardbeg Distillery sent a vial of whisky to the International Space Station. They said the intention was to study the effect of micro-gravity on flavour as the whisky matured.
Now the sample has come back to Earth and been compared to whisky that stayed ground-bound, and the company has announced that there are “major differences” between the two samples.
Here’s the tasting notes from the two samples:
Earth sample: “The sample had a woody aroma, reminiscent of an aged Ardbeg style, with hints of cedar, sweet smoke and aged balsamic vinegar, as well as raisins, treacle toffee, vanilla and burnt oranges.
“On the palate, its woody, balsamic flavours shone through, along with a distant fruitiness, some charcoal and antiseptic notes, leading to a long, lingering aftertaste, with flavours of gentle smoke, tar and creamy fudge.”
Space sample: “Its intense aroma had hints of antiseptic smoke, rubber and smoked fish, along with a curious, perfumed note, like violet or cassis, and powerful woody tones, leading to a meaty aroma.
“The taste was very focused, with smoked fruits such as prunes, raisins, sugared plums and cherries, earthy peat smoke, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon and smoked bacon or hickory-smoked ham. The aftertaste is intense and long, with hints of wood, antiseptic lozenges and rubbery smoke.”
Ardbeg’s director of distilling and whisky creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, explained that “When I nosed and tasted the space samples, it became clear that much more of Ardbeg’s smoky, phenolic character shone through – to reveal a different set of smoky flavours which I have not encountered here on earth before. Ardbeg already has a complex character, but the results of our experiment show that there is potentially even more complexity that we can uncover, to reveal a different side to the whisky.”
Wow. How exciting. Sending whisky into space makes it taste different. Actually, it sounds like it doesn’t taste as good, but I am no connoisseur, so what do I know?
For a cynical view of just what might be behind this experiment, click on the second source link below...
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-34168471
http://io9.com/recognize-space-whisky-for-what-it-is-a-long-con-to-se-1730119625
