A fine drop on a grand voyage: Hurtigruten’s MS Fram Whisky Project

The MS Fram expedition ship is currently loaded with two barrels of 21- and 25-year-old single malt whisky, which it is transporting from one end of the world to the other – a process that is said to refine the noble Scottish drop even further. After crossing the Antarctic Circle, the ship will head north to Greenland and Spitsbergen, with en-route stops scheduled in Scotland where the whisky was first produced.

The two 150-litre barrels of American oak filled with fine Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky which will cross four magical seafaring lines: the northern and southern polar circle, the zero meridian and the equator, have been firmly anchored on deck 9 in preparation for the long journey.

“We hope that the continuous rolling wave movements, temperature changes and sea air will further improve the excellent quality of our single malt and have a positive effect on it,” says MS Fram captain Arild Harvik. “As this is the first time that we have undertaken such a project, we filled a test bottle to check for changes in colour, strength and taste before and after the voyage”.

After just over ten months onboard MS Fram and over 126,000 kilometres travelled, the whisky will be transferred to limited edition bottles, with no more than 200 per barrel. The whisky is cask strength, meaning that after maturing in the barrel, it will not be diluted with water but will be filled directly from the barrel into the bottles. As the “MS Fram Expedition Whisky”, the single malt will carry its own, unique label and will be available to purchase on-board later this year, complete with a whisky diary and a certificate. The “MS Fram Expedition Whisky” can also be sampled in the bar of the expedition ship.

The topic ‘whisky and its origin’ are covered in two voyages on-board MS Fram in April and May. Both start in the Norwegian city of Bergen with the 12-day “British Isles in the Spring” (24th April – 5th May 2014) journey covering Scotland, Ireland and England, while “The Viking Route” (13th – 25th May 2014), lasts 13 days, and visits Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Both journeys are accompanied by Scottish lecturer and whisky expert Bernard McGee, who will share his knowledge of single malt scotch whisky and arrange some tastings during the voyage.

Prices for ‘The Viking Route’ voyage start from £2,474 per person, twin share for an inside cabin on full board basis. Transfers are available for an additional cost.

For more information email Discover the World on hurtigruten@discovertheworld.com.au or call 1800 OCEANS (1800 623 267).