ABOUT
FRAM – the Vessel
Fram (In norwegian it means «Forward») is a ship that was used in expeditions of the Arctic and Antarctic regions by the Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, Oscar Wisting, and Roald Amundsen between 1893 and 1912. It was designed and built by the Scottish-Norwegian shipwright Colin Archer for Fridtjof Nansen’s 1893 Arctic expedition in which the plan was to freeze Fram into the Arctic ice sheet and float with it over the North Pole.
Fram is preserved as a museum ship at the Fram Museum in Oslo, Norway.
WHISKY
FRAM – the Whisky
It is now 100 years since the Arctic explorer, researcher, and diplomat, Fridtjof Nansen, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. He received the prize for his work on behalf of the displaced victims and refugees of World War I and related conflicts.
As part of preserving and managing Nansen’s legacy, we have in collaboration with Aurora Spirit Distillery, produced this bottle in a limited edition, where the proceeds of the sale go to humanitarian purposes via the organization Norwegian Aid. Their values reflect Nansen’s heritage in a unique way, and their close follow-up of projects ensures that a large proportion of aid funds reach the final stage.
Fram whisky is made from Nordic barley and glacier water from the Lyngen Alps, and has been stored in a small Octave cask for 4 years, in Arctic conditions. For this special release, we have obtained a piece of Nansen’s sailing ship, Fram. This piece was put into the cask and allowed to rest there for some months previous to the bottling, thus contributing a defining element to the profile of Fram whisky — the result is a unique taste of Norwegian polar history.
- Volume: 70 cl
- Strength: 46% Alc.vol
- 100 numbered bottles in total produced
- 68 bottles for purchase on auction, inluding bottles #1 – 10
- All bottles comes with a unique carton box in 4-color print.
- Colour: amber
- Nose: gentle intensity which reminds of caramel waffles, toffee, dark berries, plum, with some citrus-like spices, sherry and oak.
- Palate: mouth-filling with a smooth texture, notes of caramel, sherry, berries, oak, geraniums, and a slight drying minerality. It has a long finish that contains flavours of green apples, tobacco, honey, and a hint of frankincense.
This whisky was primarily aged in a sherry barrel before being carefully selected for the FRAM project. It was then transferred into a second-fill oak octave where it began it’s secondary maturation in contact with a piece of FRAM. During this time, the change in flavours challenged expectations and went beyond the usual effect of second-fill oak casks. From sensory analysis of the piece of FRAM, it was clear that a part of its essence had been transferred into the whisky; this probably corresponds to the spicy aromas and the perceptions of flowers and frankincense but it’s hard to describe in words, the same way that an adventure or expedition is hard to describe. It must be experienced.
WOOD STORY
FRAM – the Idea
Nicolai Nansen is Fridtjof Nansen´s (1861-1930) great-grandson and together with ice skater, adventurer and polar explorer Asle T. Johansen, have taken the initiative to honor Fridtjof Nansen. Together with Aurora Spirit Distillery in Lyngen, they are now releasing their very own “Fram Whisky”.
The Whisky actually contains a bit of polar history, as it contains some extract from the FRAM vessel itself. In the aging process the producers have added pieces of wood from Nansen’s polar ship, FRAM. Through this process the liquid has gotten added flavor to the Whiskey from the schooner itself.
Nicolai Nansen has gained access to the pieces of wood from the famous sea vessel via the Fram museum.
«When, as a boy, I visited the Fram Museum on Bygdøy, where my great-grandfather’s polar ship is housed, I remember that there were some huge logs in the bow by the engine room.» says Nicolai. «These were spare parts, i.e. timber to be used if the boat sprang a leak. And that’s where Asle T and I got the idea to get a piece of the wood from the ship to add an extra taste to the whisky.»
WHISKY
FRAM – the Producer
FRAM WHisky is produced by the Aurora Spirit – the Worlds northernmost Distillery. It is situated in Lyngen municipality in northern Norway. The distillery was built in 2016, and Whisky production started in 2017. Aurora Spirit Distillery produces Vodka, Gin, Aquavit and Whisky. The company owns the registered trademark Bivrost(R).
GET IT
FRAM – the Auction
68 bottles bottles of FRAM Whisky will be auctioned away at Whiskyauctioneer.com – starting from 31. of March. The proceeds of the auction will go to Norwegian Aid. More info on the auction can be found at whiskyauctioneers website.