A Scotch whisky distillery has teamed up with space scientists as part of an experiment that will throw new light on the effect of gravity on the maturation process.
An unmanned Russian Progress Four spacecraft took off from Kazakhstan at the end of October, and included in its cargo were phials containing molecules from the distillation process at Ardbeg Distillery, near Port Ellen on Islay.
They were bound for the International Space Station where they will be central to a scientific experiment featuring Ardbeg in near zero-gravity.
Ardbeg is taking part in an experiment led by US-based space research company NanoRacks LLC to test these micro-organic compounds. The Ardbeg-crafted molecules are from what is called "new make spirit", which is the distilled liquid collected off the still at the Ardbeg Distillery. It is a mixture of micro-organic compounds called terpenes, which are essential to many of the smells, tastes and flavours of foods, perfumes and liquor, and other molecules.
The space experiment will test the interaction of these Ardbeg molecules with charred oak also from Ardbeg. This will take place in normal gravity on earth and also microgravity.
This is believed to be the first time anyone has ever studied terpenes and other molecules in near zero-gravity. The experiment could explain the workings of these large, complex molecules as they will remain on the International Space Station for at least two years and so more can be learned about the change these molecules undergo in this near zero-gravity environment. It could also have applications for a variety of commercial and research products, including future generations of Ardbeg.
Working in close collaboration with the Ardbeg Distillery team in Scotland, the US team will closely monitor the experiment against control samples on earth; both in Houston, Texas, at the NanoRacks' facility, and also in Warehouse Three at Ardbeg Distillery on Islay.
From the Ardbeg side the experiment is being led by Dr Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation, and widely considered one of the industry's top innovators. A chemist by training, Dr Lumsden will unveil the initiative at the Edinburgh International Science Festival today in a talk entitled Whisky Wisdom –Scotch Whisky; Science, Art or Myth?.
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