Whisky Review/Tasting: McKinlay's Shackleton

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The whisky is a replica of an old whiskey supplied to the British Antarctica expedition of 1907, specifically the Shackleton Expedition.
Type: Highland malt whiskey.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky was recreated by Richard Patterson using malt whiskies from old distilleries, including Glenvor (Glen Mhor), which was demolished in the early 1980s. The distillery was located along the canal running from Inverness through Loch Ness to Fort William on the west coast of Scotland.
Age Statement: Not specified, but it is a recreation of a whisky from the early 20th century.
Color and Clarity: The whisky is colored, making it difficult to assess the depth of wood maturation.
Bottle Design: The bottle and packaging reference the historical context of the Shackleton Expedition, with a facsimile print of the original order for McKinlay's whisky included. The bottle also features a quote from Ernest Shackleton, emphasizing the spirit of exploration.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents a balance between maltiness, fruitiness, vanilla, and caramel, with a hint of smoke.
Unique Characteristics: It has a slight smokiness, with oakiness and spiciness developing in the aftertaste. The whisky is described as having a silky texture initially, which then builds in intensity.
Comparison: The current version is considered more pleasant than the original recreation directly based on the antique samples.

Interesting Stories: The whisky is a recreation of the McKinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt Whiskey supplied to the Shackleton Expedition to Antarctica in 1907. The original bottles were discovered in 2007 beneath Shackleton's hut in Antarctica, leading to this recreation to allow people to experience the taste of early 20th-century whisky.

Historical Context: The whisky has significant historical and cultural value, being linked to the British Antarctic Expedition and the spirit of exploration epitomized by Ernest Shackleton.
Geographical Context: The recreation involves whiskies from distilleries located in significant Scottish locations, including the now-demolished Glen Mhor distillery.

"This is really a good present to people who are not that close to whisky but close to expeditions, close to traveling, probably travel to Antarctica." - Horst Luening
"In former times, everything was worse, even the quality of whisky... the average whisky in former time was worse." - Horst Luening

McKinlay's Shackleton is a Highland malt whisky, recreated to mimic the whisky supplied to the 1907 British Antarctic Expedition.
It is recreated from malt whiskies of old distilleries, including the now-demolished Glen Mhor.
The flavor profile includes maltiness, fruitiness, vanilla, caramel, and a hint of smoke, with oakiness and spiciness developing in the aftertaste.
The whisky is linked to the spirit of exploration and has historical significance related to Ernest Shackleton's expeditions.
It is considered a suitable gift for those interested in expeditions or travel, especially to Antarctica.
A portion of the sales is donated to the Antarctic Heritage Trust of New Zealand.

History and Exploration Enthusiasts: Individuals fascinated by polar exploration or historical expeditions would appreciate the story behind this whisky.
Gift Seekers: Those looking for a unique gift for someone interested in travel, history, or whisky with a story.
Whisky Collectors: Collectors interested in unique or historical recreations of whisky might find this bottle a worthy addition to their collection.
Casual Whisky Drinkers: The accessible flavor profile and the lower alcohol content (40% ABV) make it suitable for casual drinkers or those new to whisky tasting.