Museum thaws Shackleton's Scotch
23 Jul 10
A crate of frozen Scotch whisky, believed to be left behind by British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton during his 1908 Antarctic expedition, is being thawed by New Zealand museum experts to examine its contents.
The crate of Mackinlay's whisky, recovered earlier this year, is being thawed in a controlled environment at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island.
Nigel Watson, executive director of the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, said the whisky might still be liquid.
Mr Watson said: "When the guys were lifting it, they reported the sound of sloshing and there was a smell of whisky in the freezer, so it is all boding pretty well."
Although the whisky may still be drinkable, he said it would probably not be tasted.
The crate of whisky - along with four other crates containing whisky and brandy - was found lying frozen beneath the floor of the explorer’s hut by an Antarctic Heritage Trust team in 2006.
However, they could not be immediately recovered as they were deeply embedded in the ice.
The recovery attempt was launched by drinks group Whyte & Mackay - the Scottish distillery that currently owns the Mackinlay's brand - to analyse the samples and potentially use these to relaunch the defunct Scotch.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
http://www.canterburymuseum.com/ (Canterbury Museum)
This story has been viewed 138 times.