Whisky experiment

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Whisky made from WHAT???

I'm still not quite sure that this story isn't a hoax, but it's been widely published, so I'm going to take it on trust . . . although I won't be drinking the product!

Wired magazine in the UK reports:

James Gilpin is a designer and researcher who works on the implementation of new biomedical technologies. He's also got type 1 diabetes, where his body doesn't produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.




So he's started a project called Gilpin Family Whisky, which turns the sugar-rich urine of elderly diabetics into a high-end single malt whisky, suitable for export.

The source material is acquired from elderly volunteers, including Gilpin's own grandmother, Patricia. The urine is purified in the same way as mains water is purified, with the sugar molecules removed and added to the mash stock to accelerate the whisky's fermentation process. Traditionally, that sugar would be made from the starches in the mash.




Once fermented into a clear alcohol spirit, whisky blends are added to give colour, taste and viscosity, and the product is bottled with the name and age of the contributor.




. . .

It'll be exhibited, with tasting sessions, at 100% Materials, a design and architecture event in London in September, and the Abandon Normal Devices festival in Manchester in October. If you're not keen on trying it yourself, then you can still go along and view the three films that Gilpin will be showing alongside the whisky, which each outline one aspect of living with the disease.

There's more at the link. Photographs are from James Gilpin's Web site.

If any British readers of this blog will be attending either event, and you're feeling adventurous, please post a comment here and tell us what the stuff tastes like, won't you? Personally, I'll stick to Glenfiddich, thank you very much!