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

Christie's Handbags Online: The New York Edit

June 4, 2025
HERMÉS, CIRCA 1990S Estimate: $100,000-200,000 NEW YORK - Christie's is pleased to present Handbags Online: The New York Edit , a curated selection of handbags from Hermés, Chanel, Dior, and more. Bidding will be open from 4-17 June, with highlights on view at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries from 6-16 June. Leading the sale is an exceptional Rare Sterling Silver Mini Kelly (Estimate: $100.000-200,000). Produced in Mexico in the 1990s, the original solid sterling silver design is among the rarest handbags in the world. Additional notable highlights include a Bleu Marine Diamond Kelly 25 (Estimate: $100,000-150,000), and an Hermès Special Rdition 706 Madison Kelly (Estimate: $35,000-45,000). This exceptional piece, created to commemorate the opening of Hermès Madison Avenue flagship, features intricate leather marquetry inlay inspired by the Hommage á Gene Kelly scarf design. This season's sale offers a captivating blend of whimsy and timeless sophistication. designed to appeal to collectors at every level. A standout feature is a magnificent single-owner collection titled Sculpted Ions: Handbags From the Vault of a Discerning Collector , showcasing exquisite examples from Schiaparelli. Chanel, Hermès, and Fendi. Among the highlights is an Orange Crocodile Diamond Kelly 25 (Estimate: $100,000-150,000), noted for its bold color and precious detailing. For the first time at Christie's, a selection of bags by Schiaparelli will be offered. The group includes four striking designs, with estimates ranging from $1,000-6,000. Highlights include a Crème Leather Bijoux Secret Top Handle Bag with gilded brass and enamel hardware (Estimate: S4,000-6,000), and a Black Calfskin Anatomy Jewelry Bag featuring enamel and hammered gold brass accents (Estimate: $3,000-4,000). Auction Information : Click Here ALL IMAGES PROVIDED BY: CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2025 Sale Highlights

The Cigar

June 3, 2025
ACCLAIMED AUTHOR AARON (SIG) SIGMOND HAS DONE IT AGAIN. HIS WRITTEN KNOWLEDGE (NOW NUMBERING AT OVER 20) ON NUMEROUS TOPICS INCLUDING FINE MECHANICAL TIMEPIECES, HOTELS, AUTOMOBILES—ALL OF WHICH FALL WITHIN THE SOMEWHAT VAGUE “MEN’S LUXURY” CATEGORY—CIRCLE BEAUTIFULLY BACK TO ONE OF HIS FAVORITE SUBJECTS, HIS LOVE FOR CIGARS. AN ACCOUTREMENT THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF HIS LIFE SINCE COLLEGE.

A TASTE OF THE AEGEAN ARRIVES IN WEST PALM BEACH: INSIDE THE NEW ESTIATORIO MILOS

June 2, 2025
There’s a new jewel sparkling along the Intracoastal in West Palm Beach—and it speaks fluent Greek. Estiatorio Milos, the acclaimed seafood-forward restaurant helmed by legendary chef and restaurateur Costas Spiliadis, has opened its thirteenth global location and second in Florida, bringing the breezy sophistication of the Mediterranean to the heart of South Florida. Nestled within the sleek, waterfront One Flagler tower, Milos isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-sensory journey to the shores of Greece. Step inside, and you’re immediately transported. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a soft palette of natural materials, and thoughtfully curated art create a warm, contemporary atmosphere. Designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners, the space is as much about serenity as it is about style. Pentelikon marble, warm oak, and textured stone echo the materials of Cycladic islands, while an open-air terrace fringed with greenery brings the outdoors in. A dramatic staircase, a signature design element across Milos locations, provides a striking focal point—modern yet rooted in classical influence. But of course, the real story here is the food. Milos is revered worldwide for its dedication to purity of flavor and ingredient integrity. Each morning, whole fish is flown in directly from the Mediterranean—snapper, lavraki, dorade—then displayed on ice for guests to view before choosing. Local bounty also takes center stage, from Florida stone crab to daily selections sourced from fishermen in the Keys. The result is a menu that’s fresh, unfussy, and deeply soulful. Signature dishes like the paper-thin zucchini and eggplant tower with tzatziki, or the simple grilled octopus with Santorini fava, let the ingredients do the talking. And the experience is meant to be shared—Milos encourages the Greek tradition of philoxenia, or warm hospitality, where tables are filled with plates passed around among friends and family. To complement the cuisine, Milos West Palm Beach offers one of the most expansive Greek wine lists in the Southeast, showcasing varietals such as Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, and Agiorgitiko, all carefully selected to pair harmoniously with the flavors of the sea. Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or simply curious, the staff’s knowledge and passion make wine exploration an integral part of the experience. As the sun dips below the horizon and the waterway glows, the setting takes on a romantic, almost transportive quality. You could close your eyes and swear you were perched on a terrace in the Greek isles—until the silhouette of Palm Beach Island reminds you where you are. For those seeking an elevated dining experience rooted in simplicity, season- ality, and timeless elegance, Estiatorio Milos West Palm Beach is nothing short of a revelation. Reservations are recommended.  To book your table, call (561) 437-8889.
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