North Carolina’s premier distillery will age five barrels of bourbon in space, creating the rarest whiskey on the planet.

Colleen Richmond • March 11, 2023

Mystic Farm & Distillery announces the launch of Mystic Galactic, the rarest spirit ever produced, a bourbon whiskey aged for one year in space.

A bottle of galactic sits on a table


Mystic plans to work with innovative com- panies like SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Rocketlab, Inversion Space, Firefly, and Bank of America, as well as the skilled coopers

at the West Virginia Great Barrel Co. to finance, design, test and build vessels to send five barrels of 45% wheat bourbon whiskey to Low Earth Orbit for one year of additional aging.

The barrels for space aging will be selected from Mystic’s
stock that is at least three years old. Mystic makes award-winning bourbon, crafted from the North Carolina Piedmont’s superior grain, water and aging climate. Mystic has pioneered the field to glass movement in North Carolina and beyond, winning two consecutive gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 and 2022. The barrels will be re-coopered by the West Virginia Great Barrel Company, with special features designed to survive the rigors of launch, orbit and re-entry.


“We’re redefining what it means to make a rare spirit,” said Jonathan Blitz, co-owner of Mystic. “Only about 1,300 people on the planet will ever have the opportunity to taste and own this piece of whiskey history. It’s the height of luxury and exclusivity, not to mention the first commercial product manufactured in space.”

Most of the bottles will be presold for a $75,000 purchase deposit. Each purchaser will receive a nonfungible token (NFT) to prove authenticity and their right to ownership, and the purchase deposits will be held in an FDIC-insured account until the bourbon returns

to earth for bottling. Mystic is planning to provide the bottles for pickup at the distillery. Remaining bottles will be sold at a market price after pre-orders are fulfilled.

Purchasers will have exclusive access to an app that displays real-time mission data, as well as admission to exclusive launch and reentry parties. The hand-crafted glass and machined aluminum bottles will be packed into a custom fitted aluminum flight case with a piece of the actual oak barrel that flew in space. Purchaserswill also get a 50ml sample of the bourbon, so owners won’t have to break the seal on their bottle of Mystic Galactic to taste the rarest spirit in the solar system.


“The space barrels will be retrieved and returned to Mystic after reentry, putting North Carolina on the map as an innovative producer of ultra-premium bourbon whiskey,” said Zack Hawkins, North Carolina State Representative (Durham). “This is an excellent example of the world-class products being made in our state and how we’re leading the way for the future.”

Mystic launched in 2013 with their first product, Mystic Bourbon Liqueur, a unique blend of bourbon, wildflower honey and spices. A woman owned business, Mystic now operates the largest solar powered bourbon distillery in the world. Boasting the highest-rated distillery tours in North America, Mystic is proud to craft the Piedmont’s superior grain, water and aging climate into world-class spirits such as: Mystic Bourbon Liqueur, Heart of Mystic Bourbon, Mystic 57 Navy Strength Gin, Soul of Mystic Unaged Spirit, and Broken Oak Double-Barreled Whiskey.

More information about Mystic is available at: www.WhatIsMystic.com

April 18, 2025
Nantucket, with its misty harbors, salt-kissed breezes, and centuries-old charm, has always been a place where history whispers through every weathered shingle and cobblestone street. This spring, one of the island’s most beloved landmarks, the Veranda House, will once again welcome guests, rising from the ashes of a devastating 2022 fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the new Veranda House is a masterpiece of restoration and reinvention. Owned by Procaccianti Companies and managed by TPG Hotels & Resorts as part of the Nantucket Resort Collection, the rebuild was meticulously overseen in collaboration with the town and historic district commission to ensure that the property retained its original federal-style elegance while incorporating modern luxuries and state-of-the-art amenities. First built in 1684, the Veranda House has stood as a symbol of Nantucket’s rich maritime legacy, its wraparound porches offering a front-row seat to the island’s ever-changing seascape. The new design remains true to its original size, scale, and architectural character, seamlessly blending historic integrity with contemporary comforts. Guests will find spa-like ensuite baths in every room, featuring Carrara marble, custom fixtures, and sleek walk-in showers—a nod to modern indulgence without sacrificing classic charm. The 19 redesigned rooms, including the Grand Harborview King with its private balcony and fireplace, exude an intimate, serene luxury. Expanded outdoor gathering spaces now offer even more opportunities for guests to soak in the island’s ambiance, whether sipping coffee at sunrise or toasting the golden hour over Nantucket Harbor. “This reopening marks a significant mile- stone, not just for Veranda House, but for the entire Nantucket community. We are deeply thankful for the community’s unwavering support in bringing this iconic property back to life,” says Paul Hitselberger, EVP of Operations for TPG Hotels & Resorts. The Veranda House is not just a recon- struction—it’s a resurrection, a tribute to Nantucket’s ability to endure, evolve, and enchant. Its doors reopen as a beacon of timeless hospitality, welcoming travelers to a place where history is honored, and every detail—from the breezy verandas to the handcrafted interiors—tells a story. For those who love Nantucket, the Veranda House is a homecoming. Images courtesy of The Veranda House.
By Inspired by Francesca Zani April 16, 2025
A Grown-Up Indulgence
By Vivian Ashcroft April 16, 2025
Where Italian Elegance Meets Steakhouse Sophistication
More Posts