‘Whisky Thaw Project’ Archive
A taste of things to come…
Whyte & Mackay’s master blender, Richard Paterson, has been working on what some might describe as a labour of love over the last few months. He has been aiming to replicate the Mackinlay’s whisky taken to Antarctica by Ernest Shackleton and, as the statement below describes, his painstaking work has paid off. Message in a [...]
Shackleton’s Whisky Returns Home to Scotland
The famous whisky has returned home to Scotland after spending more than 100 years untouched by human hand and encased in Antarctic ice. Three bottles of the Mackinlays whisky which accompanied Ernest Shackleton on his 1907 expedition have been returned to brand owner Whyte & Mackay for scientific analysis. The liquid is so rare and [...]
Continuing Conservation
Recently returned from a winter in Antarctica, Objects Conservator Nicola Dunn is now at Canterbury Museum undertaking conservation assessment and treatment of Shackleton’s whisky bottles and crate. There’s a lot of volcanic scoria to be removed, followed by consolidation of the paper wrappers and the straw bottle covers, which are only loosely held together. The [...]
Earthquake Update
There is no evidence of structural damage to Canterbury Museum following the 4 September earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. You will all be pleased to hear that the whisky is also undamaged. Canterbury Museum will re-open to the public on Wednesday 15 September.
Why won’t we drink it?
Many people have asked why we aren’t drinking the whisky. Or why we aren’t keeping it in New Zealand. The Antarctic Heritage Trust manages a programme of heritage conservation in Antarctica, which involves the heroic-era expedition bases of Scott, Shackleton, and Carsten Borchgrevink. Each of these sites is protected under the Antarctic Treaty System and [...]