Japan: Suntory sends whisky into space

Japanese spirits firm Suntory will launch several samples of whisky in to space to test the effects of gravity on the whisky aging process, according to reports.

The Japanese company will reportedly send six samples of whisky in glass flasks to the International Space Station, including 10, 18 and 21 year old whiskies, as part as an experimental project to study the effects of zero gravity on the maturation and mellowness of the product.  It is said that the samples will be in space for up two years before being sent back to Earth.

“With the exception of some items like beer, alcoholic beverages are widely known to develop a mellow flavour when aged for a long time. Although researchers have taken a variety of scientific approaches to elucidating the underlying mechanism, we still do not have a full picture of how this occurs”, commented a Suntory spokesperson.

Source: FoodBev Media