First whisky in space to return to Earth

Three years ago, Scottish distiller Ardbeg announced that it would be providing whisky samples for a research project aboard the International Space Station, designed to investigate effects of gravity on the whisky maturation process. The distillery today announced that its space-whisky will be returning to Earth on September 12.

By Alex Choros

Three years ago, Scottish distiller Ardbeg announced that it would be providing whisky samples for a research project aboard the International Space Station, designed to investigate effects of gravity on the whisky maturation process. The distillery today announced that its space-whisky will be returning to Earth on September 12. The vial of Ardbeg has been orbiting the Earth's atmosphere for 1,045 days.

Following the whisky's landing (and extensive testing), a white paper will be released detailing the interaction between whisky and oak in low-gravity in comparison to their interaction in normal gravity. Control samples of the same Ardbeg whisky have been kept at both Ardbeg's distillery in Scotland and at Houston in Texas for the duration of the experiment.

Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg's director of distilling and whisky creation said "the team hopes to uncover how flavours develop in different gravitational conditions – findings which could revolutionise the whisky-making process".

"We hope to shine new light on the effect of gravity on the maturation process but who knows where it will lead us? It could be to infinity and beyond."

Source: Press Release, BBC