'Space Whiskey' is Heading Home

In a distinctly delicious marriage between clever marketing and scientific curiosity, samples of single malt scotch whiskey found themselves rocketing up to the International Space Station (ISS) in October 2011. Now, years later, that whiskey is on its way back to Earth so experts can determine if it matured in microgravity any differently than its Earthling counterparts.

The liquor sample came fresh from the Ardbeg Distillery on Islay, a small Scottish island, and was sent up on a Russian Soyuz rocket nearly three years ago in a partnership with Texas-based space research company NanoRacks.

According to Ardbeg, after orbiting Earth at more than 17,000 mph, 15 times a day, vials of terpenes - compounds essential in the whiskey maturation process - will set down on Earth soil in a mere 10 days.

"Waiting on the ground will be assorted boffins ready to rush the experiment to a scientific laboratory in Houston. Among their number will be our very own whisky creator, the eminent Dr. Bill Lumsden," the company announced in a recent statement. "It will be the team's task to proceed to unlock the mysteries of maturation, through the study of the interaction between Ardbeg-crafted molecules and charred oak, both in micro-gravity (in orbit) and normal gravity (in Ardbeg's Warehouse 3)."

Lumsden is then expected to publish the findings in a peer-reviewed journal for all whiskey enthusiasts to enjoy.

"The team hope to uncover how flavors develop in different gravitational conditions - findings which could revolutionize the whisky-making process," Lumsden told BBC News. "Who knows where it will lead us?"

Interestingly, the liquor isn't the only unusual liquid to be sent into space within the last few years. Italian espresso brewer Lavazza recently worked with the European Space Agency to bring a space-ready espresso machine to the ISS, allowing international crew to enjoy a little taste of authentic Italian coffee.

Japanese company Otsuka Pharmaceuticals also previously announced that the Lunar Dream Capsule Project will be transporting a can of their sports drink, Pocari Sweat, to the Moon sometime next year.

Still, the Ardbeg samples certainly are the first scotch whiskey to mature in space, and Lumsden couldn't help adding his own twist to an iconic cliché.

"This is one small step for man but one giant leap for whisky."