Artist and scientist study whisky art

A professional photographer and scientist have partnered to explore the beauty and science behind the dried rings whisky leaves behind in a glass.

Photographer Ernie Button has created a series of images using dried whisky rings

Phoenix-based photographer and artist Ernie Button noticed the chalky whisky residue left in the bottom of a whisky glass eight years ago, and so began experimenting with his wife using different Scotch whiskies.

“It’s infinitely fascinating to me that a seemingly clear liquid leaves a pattern with such clarity and rhythm after the liquid is gone,” said Button. “Professor Stone and his team graciously entertained my questions and were very helpful with my understanding of this phenomenon.”

Using coloured lights to give an outer space-like effect, Button photographed the residues to create his collection of images is titled, “Vanishing Spirits – The Dried Remains of single Malt Scotch”.

Keen to explore the science behind the imagery, Button contacted professor Howard Stone and his Complex Fluids Groups in Princeton University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for insight.

The patterns created from the whisky residues are due the surface tension gradient, known as the Marangoni Effect.

Stone’s research indicated the deposition of patterns left behind by the whisky were “deposits at contact lines or other deposits perhaps associated with flow”.

“My group focused on gaining a better understanding of the composition of whisky identifying the possible ‘suspended material’, and doing controlled model experiments to understand possible shapes and forms of deposits during evaporation,” explained Stone.

Having found there were very few recent studies about the evaporation of droplets of alcohol-water solutions and corresponding flow patterns, Stones’ team decided to embark on further investigations.

Their research returned that ethanol evaporates first as a result of lower vapour pressure compared to water, then once the ethanol disappears, a radial pattern can be seen.

However, Button noted no distinctive differences when photographing younger or older versions of the same whisky, although he said he thinks the difference in the rings left by whiskies could be a result of the aging process and materials absorbed through the wood from the casks.

Click through to the following pages to see a selection of whisky images captured by Button.

Distinctive rings of bright blue, fuschia pink and a splash of orange appear from The Balvenie when captured on camera using coloured lights. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Contrasting halves of blue and red appear before the lens from Scotch whisky brand, The Macallan. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Ernie Button also photographed Scotch whisky Bruichladdich as part of his Vanishing Spirits series. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Dried residue from The Glenlivet presented vivid orange hues when photographed for Button’s project. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Resembling waves crashing on the shore, Button took this image of Highland Park whisky. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Just a touch of purple breaks through amongst the oranges and browns of Aberlour Abunadh. (Photo: Ernie Button) 

Glenfiddich whisky produces a sea of orange tones with a ripple of deep blue. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Button also toyed with striking blue lights with The Balvenie. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Gold and green are the main tones from the residues of Glengoyne, as this image shows. (Photo: Ernie Button)

Laphroaig’s image is akin to frozen ice caps photographed from afar. (Photo: Ernie Button)