Whisky goes where no dram has gone before

Distillery toasts 'space whisky' experiment as malt returns to Earth after four-year journey tasting out of this world

Whisky fired into space almost four years ago as part of an experiment has returned to Earth with enhanced flavour and character, according to its creator.

A vial of unmatured malt from the Ardbeg distillery on Islay, Scotland, was sent to the International Space Station in a cargo spacecraft in October 2011, along with particles of charred oak. Another vial of the same whisky was kept at the distillery for comparison.