Ardbeg reveals results of Ardbeg in Space experiment and launches Ardbeg Supernova 2015 Final Release to mark the occasion.
The Ardbeg fans amongst you who have followed the Ardbeg in Space Experiment and no doubt tried the limited release whiskies which have accompanied the experiment may be interested to read Ardbeg's Dr Bill Lumsden's final results of sending a sample of Ardbeg in to space.
The final results of Ardbeg’s pioneering space mission were released released this week. The experiment began nearly four years ago when some Ardbeg distillate was sent into space as part of an experiment to investigate how micro-gravity (near zero gravity) would affect the behaviour of terpenes, the building blocks of flavour for many foods and wines as well as whisky spirits. This maturation experiment was undertaken as research into terpenes in micro-gravity was limited.
The findings of the experiment were revealed this week and are described as groundbreaking by the Ardbeg distillery. They say that the results pave the way for unprecedented flavour profiles, particularly for the peaty Ardbeg whisky.
The experiment began in October 2011, when vials containing Ardbeg new-make spirit distillate and shards of Ardbeg casks, were sent to the U.S. National Lab on the International Space Station by the Distillery’s partner, U.S. space research company NanoRacks LLC. Some 200 miles above Earth, the vials orbited the planet at 17,227 miles per hour, for almost three years. Following their return to Earth, the samples were analysed alongside control samples that had been kept at the Ardbeg Distillery by Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, independent whisky experts and scientists.
In three of the four stages of analysis, major differences were identified between the two sets of samples. Dr Bill said: “The space samples were noticeably different. 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.”
Dr Bill’s analysis established that much more of Ardbeg’s smoky, phenolic character shone through in the space samples than in the Earth samples.
Earth Sample v Space Sample Tasting notes:
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.
Dr Bill added: “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.”
Further analysis, looking at ratios of different types of wood extractive compounds, found significant differences between the two sets of samples – demonstrating that gravity has a very real effect on the maturation of spirit. Dr Bill commented “Our findings may also one day have significant implications for the whisky industry as a whole. In the future, the altered range of wood extractions could lead scientists to be able to detail the ratios of compounds expected in whiskies of a certain age.”
Jeffrey Manber, CEO of NanoRacks who partnered with Ardbeg on this experiment, commented: "It's hard to find companies willing to be pioneers... To have a partner like Ardbeg that is willing to make this sort of commitment augurs well for the future of commercial space research into flavourings and what it changes for consumer products in general."
Ardbeg whisky fans will be pleased to hear that mark the conclusion of the Ardbeg in Space experiment and to celebrate the results being published, Ardbeg will release the final bottling of Ardbeg Supernova exclusively to its Ardbeg Committee members.
Ardbeg Supernova 2015 the final release contains the most highly peated Ardbeg, providing an intensity reminiscent of the exploding star after which it is named. You will find more info on the new limited release whisky which will be released this Saturday 12th September here: Ardbeg Supernova 2015
Meanwhile here on planet earth you will find the complete current Ardbeg range as well as some older rarer hard to find Ardbeg bottlings available from the specialist whisky shop
The Whisky Exchange.
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