This is NOT a clickbait, even though it might sound like that one Bear Grylls episode (if you know, you know)! The idea of a whisky made from urine might piss you off (pun intended), however, British designer James Gilpin made it a reality back in 2010! He found a way to make whisky not from grains but a bodily fluid we’d not even closely associate with any form of consumption! Worry not, we'll not keep you hooked on it any more – here’s all the information you need to know about this whisky made from human urine!
Before we delve deeper into the actual tidbits of the whisky made from human urine, we must peep into our biology lessons for a quick second. We all know about diabetes – be it Type 1, Type 2, or Gestational Diabetes, don’t we? With Type 2 being the most common, the body starts losing its ability to control blood glucose levels. This results in higher concentrations of sugar in the blood of those diagnosed with diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes patients excrete large amounts of sugar on a daily basis, especially those in the upper ends of the ageing population. It is this sugar that Gilpin thinks we must utilize in several ways, including the production of whisky. He suggested that we utilize our water purification systems to harvest such biological resources that the elderly population produces in abundance.
Gilpin, who was himself a Type 1 diabetes patient, was fairly familiar with the condition and the resulting effects of diabetes on the body. As a part of his MA project, he came up with the brilliant (and bizarre-sounding) Gilpin Family Whisky that explores the commodification of our bodies through the production of a high-quality single malt whisky from human waste.
Gilpin’s first donor was his grandmother, which allowed him to get the ball rolling and iron out any kinks in his process ahead of wider production. However, not all of Gilpin’s collaborators were diagnosed with diabetes, with some having endocrine systems that were not as efficient simply due to old age.
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To create his unique product, Gilpin first filtered the urine using techniques similar to how our main water supply is purified. The remaining large crystal-shaped sugar molecules were then removed and purified again, before being combined with a mash stock to speed up the fermentation process.
Gilpin began with a small batch of volunteers, including his own grandmother for the collection of urine. Then, he filtered the urine using techniques similar to how our main water supply is purified. The remaining large crystal-sized sugar molecules are then removed and purified again after which they’re combined with a mash stock to speed up the fermentation process.
The mixture is then added to clear alcohol spirit and whisky blends to give the drink its signature brown hue, taste, and viscosity. The resultant product is then bottled and ready for consumption. What also made this whisky special is that the bottles were labelled with the names of the donors, adding a more personal touch to the whisky!
Take it as good or bad news, but the whisky is not available commercially today. It was produced way back in 2010 as an ambitious art project and wasn’t available commercially back then as well. The whisky was on display at 100% Materials, a design and architecture show in September 2010.
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This whisky is proof that the world of liquor is far beyond what meets the eye! With a unique blend of science and innovation, Gilpin proved that human urine is not just a biological waste product – it is very well capable of giving you delicious whisky! And while it may make you a little squeamish, the result would’ve been definitely indulgent. Would you give this whisky a try?
