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A whisky designed around a space experiment has been named the best spirit of its kind in the world.

The Ardbeg Distillery in Scotland's Galileo single malt whisky took the top honour at the annual World Whiskies Awards.

The 12-year-old limited edition drop, which sells for about £150 a bottle, was created as part of a collaboration with space research company NanoRacks LLC.

The Houston, Texas, firm has been undertaking zero gravity experiments in space involving the maturation of chemical compounds in Ardbeg's whisky, while the distiller monitors control samples on Earth.

The commemorative whisky, made from a vatting of different styles of Ardbeg laid down in 1999, took out the prestigious prize at an event at the Waldorf Hotel in Central London.

Judges undertook three blind tasting rounds in Scotland and America of over 300 whiskies from around the globe before making their decision.

(Image: Steven Morris)

While the best in show went to Scotland, whiskies from Japan, South Africa and America took out many of the other big awards.

Japanese distiller Mars Maltage won Best Blended Malt Whisky for its 3 plus 25, 28 Years Old, and its compatriot distiller Hibiki won Best Blended Whisky for its 21 Years Old.

South Africa's Bain's won Best Grain Whisky for its Cape Mountain Whisky and US distiller George T Stagg won Best American Whisky.

English distiller Master of Malt won Best Whisky Liqueur for its 40 Years Old whisky.

A prize for the best whisky bar was won by Boisdale restaurant and bar in Canary Wharf, London, where bars manager Hannah Lanfear has assembled some 800 whiskies, many of them rare bottles from mothballed and dismantled distilleries.

Irish Distillers, Pernod Ricard, was named Whisky Distiller of the Year and Master of Malt was adjudged the most innovative.

(Image: Steven Morris)

Whisky Magazine’s independent judging panel was drawn up from the best drinks journalists, retailers, master blenders, distillers and brand ambassadors from across the world.

The magazine's Rob Allanson said: “The competition featured some eye-opening whiskies and the judging panel had a hard time separating the good from the very good.

"After last year's Japanese domination of the single malt category Islay's Ardbeg Distillery carries off the top single malt title, returning the crown to Scotland.

"But Japanese whiskies still remained strong in the Blended and Blended Malt categories."