SmokeDNAi with Port Ellen Gemini

Over the last two years, we monitored the parallel journeys from a pair of whiskies named Port Ellen Gemini using a custom SmokeDNAi algorithm to provide a unique opportunity to:

- Better understand the process of aging to unlock and improve unique flavor combinations to help with the development of new liquids, previously hidden to the naked eye;

- Allow the distillery team to visually compare and contrast other liquids developed at the distillery;

- Chart the development and evolution of similar compounds in new liquids being created on site;

In the future, the algorithm built to bring the analysis of the Port Ellen Gemini whiskies to light will be used by the team at Port Ellen to visually compare and contrast other liquids being developed at the distillery and is designed to shine a fresh light on the smoky flavors within Scotch Whisky.

“Port Ellen will be defined as a distillery that will push boundaries. Each element of the production process allows us to innovate from day one, with an on-site laboratory we can delve into scientific research to examine the possibilities of this legendary Islay malt. We will better understand how the nuanced flavors from cask-to-cask shine in different ways; with the rolling smoke weaving its way through the heart of Port Ellen. Collectively we will endeavor to maintain the undeniable quality of Port Ellen and create whiskies for the future. Through a bespoke SmokeDNAi algorithm and the scientifically routed visualizations we reveal today, we can learn even more about the enigma of smoke and bring people with us on this journey - from Islay to the world!’” says Aimée Morrison, Port Ellen Master Blender.

Through the use of high-pressure liquid and gas chromatography, the chemical composition of the two Port Ellen Gemini whiskies has been meticulously examined at key intervals over the past two years of maturation to study its main compounds. This analysis has revealed precise differences in the influence of both casks on the whisky, both in terms of additive and extractive impacts.

“By understanding flavor profiles and key chemical composition at various stages of the distilling maturation process, Port Ellen is able to identify optimal release dates vs. waiting another 10 or 20 years based on historical patterns and manual testing. Sequencing the genes of liquor in this way will ultimately pave the way for new discoveries and better predictive outcomes,” says Ewan Morgan, National Luxury Ambassador and Head of Whisky Outreach at Diageo.

SmokeDNAi refers to Port Ellen’s custom Digital Neoteric Algorithmic Image machine algorithm used to decode whisky smoke's intricate composition and evolution during aging. Whisky has thousands of different flavor profiles and each whisky in a cask has its own distinct composition and characteristics, akin to a unique fingerprint. By utilizing SmokeDNAi, Port Ellen can track and analyze these characteristics over time, providing invaluable insights into the development of new spirits.

"The science behind aging liquid in a barrel has always proven a bit of a mystery. With SmokeDNAi, we’re reimagining the multi-generational approach to aging whisky using technology -- allowing us to explore all the different dimensions of smoke, character, and flavor in an entirely new way," continues Morgan.

The technology behind SmokeDNAi conducts a detailed analysis of the peaks in the whisky, identifying the major flavor components and their sources. The algorithm then processes thousands of data points, extracting and organizing information on the main 10 compounds. The resulting visual representation illustrates the main flavor groups, making it accessible even to non-chemists who can discern the taste and aroma profiles.

In the future, Port Ellen​​ could leverage this algorithm to compare the smokiness of whisky from different-aged barrels, such as an 8-year-old cask versus a 16-year-old barrel. With the SmokeDNAi algorithm, Port Ellen in the future could learn to predict the outcome of blending these whiskies, visualizing and codifying the flavor profile. This capability represents a significant advancement for the industry, providing unprecedented insights that have yet to be achieved in this manner.

At the heart of this launch lies Out of the Ether, a pioneering visualization map that charts the nuanced development of whisky smoke over time. Through mesmerizing artwork generated through algorithmic design, Out of the Ether offers a comprehensive understanding of the flavor journey during maturation, shedding light on previously inaccessible insights.

Created in collaboration with Bose Collins, ​data and design experts behind releases for Nat Geo, Ralph Lauren, Star Trek, Bulova and many more high caliber launches, this visualization serves as a vivid representation of the taste and aroma of these rare Single Malt Scotch whiskies, illustrating the distinct flavor profiles of these non-identical twin whiskies.

This immersive digital artwork not only enriches the appreciation of whisky flavors but also serves as a tool for informing future innovations in the whisky category