Mark Megahan
Get ready for some out-of-this-world “stellar” single-malt scotch from Glenlivet. It starts with hops which have been floating around in orbital micro-gravity. The returning seeds were given a “hero’s welcome” when they got back to Earth.
A ‘stellar’ new expression
The experiment set out to test whether the signature seeds “could withstand the effects of extreme conditions at the International Space Station and still be used to create a stellar new expression of The Glenlivet single malt.” Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside has been brewing single malt scotch with distinction for centuries.
They just made a giant leap for “dramkind,” even changing the sign to “Space-side” to mark the occasion. The barley seeds which Glenlivet sent into space were part of an international space station study done in collaboration with University of Guelph, Canada.
The second half of the experiment is about to begin. Glenlivet is famous for “originality and breaking convention” so this isn’t too extreme for them. They want this “stellar expression” to help “shape the future of single malt.”
The School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph arranged for the seeds to be shipped to orbit through the services of Aegis Aerospace Inc. They, in turn, bought some space on a SpaceX rocket that lifted off in May of 2021.
Since then, the stellar expression seeds “were subject to extreme conditions, including zero gravity and the vacuum of space.” Currently, the “results are now being analyzed against the conditions the seeds were exposed to, which will help determine which deep space conditions they could survive.”
Dr. Mike Dixon was head of the project. He explains that “the goal of the trial is to ensure access to fresh produce for astronauts on long-term missions, as well as providing clean water captured from the transpiration process, providing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.” Glenlivet is thinking more along the lines of zero gravity vacuum distillation techniques and marketing campaigns for colonists on Luna and Mars.
Trailblazing space experiment
According to Jayne Murphy, marketing director for The Glenlivet, “We are always looking for new ways to innovate our single malt production and by partnering with the University of Guelph on their trailblazing space experiment, we had the opportunity to do exactly that.”
The stellar seeds have yet to be planted so everyone is holding their breath. “We are excited to see how the seeds will perform as they are planted, harvested, malted and distilled into one of our iconic single malts.”
If all goes well, the results should be worth the wait. “We hope it will produce a new, extra-terrestrial expression with a wonderful taste.” Dr. Dixon is hoping the stellar expression lives up to the expectations. He’s a big fan of the amber nectar himself.
“Historically when humans have discovered new land, they have produced alcohol, including whisky. As a whisky enthusiast, I want to keep this tradition going as we continue to explore the possibility of life on other planets. We look forward to working with The Glenlivet and following the journey of the barley seeds back on Earth.”
Glenlivet is keeping their fingers crossed that a solar flare didn’t mutate the DNA or something. Once the sprouts pop up, everyone can start breathing again. That means the plants lived and will probably be just as good as the original.
You can bet that once the final stellar expression product hits the bottles, those will be some fiercely hunted unicorns. If you see one on Ebay, don’t fall for it. These are the kind you can only buy at auctions.
