Thaindian News

Wellington, Apr 5 (ANI): Crates of the world’s oldest whisky and brandy found encased in ice in the Antartica after 100 years could turn into a financial windfall for the Christchurch-based Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Three crates of Mackinlay’s whisky and two of brandy were found encased in ice beneath the floor in the hut of British explorer Ernest Shackleton, during restoration work by the trust.

Earlier, one frozen case of whisky, which held 11 bottles, was brought back to New Zealand. The case was carefully thawed and three bottles were taken to Scotland to the Whyte and Mackay distiller, which now owns the Mackinlay’s brand.
Whyte and Mackay master blender Richard Paterson recreated the old whisky, thought to be 115 years old, after eight painstaking weeks when blended a range of malts to get an exact replica.
The replication will sell for 199 New Zealand dollars with 5 percent of every sale donated to the Antarctic Heritage Trust, Stuff.co.nz reports.
The distillery said if all 50,000 bottles sold, the trust would get 498,000 dollars.
Trust chief executive Nigel Watson said it had taken nearly four years to extract the whisky crate from its site, thaw it in museum conditions in Christchurch, secure permits and complete scientific analysis in Scotland.
‘I am delighted that Whyte and Mackay recognize the hard work and value of the trust’s conservation mission in Antarctica by making this very generous and welcome donation.’
He said the three bottles would be returned to New Zealand but it was yet to be decided if they would go back to the Antarctic hut as had been originally suggested. (ANI)