Shackleton's Newly Discovered Stash Brings New Meaning to Aged Whisky

Entombed in ice outside of Shackleton's Antarctic shack for over a century, five crates of the legendary British explorer's recently uncovered precious malt whisky and brandy stash bring a new meaning to the concept of optimum aging conditions!

According to international news reports the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust discovered the largely intact crates, widely considered amongst whisky lovers as a 'gift from heaven' given that this original blend of Mackinlay's malt had long since been abandoned. 

Sounds likely that master blenders at Glasgow's Whyte and Mackay (the distillery that took over Mackinlay's original production) will be the lucky ones to sample this fortuitous discovery and if they like what they taste, a reproduction of the recipe might be the order of the century.

Ernest Shackleton and his exploration party spent a long, lonely winter at the Nimrod Hut, HQ of their failed 1907-1909 British Antarctic Expedition.

The expedition had run short of supplies on its trek to the South Pole from Cape Royds in and eventually fell around 100 miles short of its goal. A hasty retreat from fast approaching winter ice had caused Shackleton and co to leave this remarkable loot behind.

As to the spelling of whisky or whiskey, the so called 'water of life' is traced back to 12th Century Britain. Whisky nowadays tends to be from Ireland and Scotland, whereas Whiskey is more likely associated with the U.S. and whiskies from other parts of the world!

And what is it about whisky aficionados that they do tend to 'stash' the good stuff? Is it the cost value or something deeper and more primal, perhaps?

I asked my pal Frank over at the Petaluma Spectator's Instituto De Vino Wino if he happens to be a whisky lover. Despite renowned tendencies towards a Rumpole of the Bailey-style beverage portfolio, it transpires that Simpson's a solid American Bourbon man, through-and-through!  

However, he did have this little ditty to share on the subject: "Six or seven years ago we were visiting friends somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. The husband had a vast collection of "rare" malt whisky which he talked about throughout dinner. I am sitting there - staring at the racks of bottles - listening to him prattle on and on - wishing he would open one -drinking box wine that he had mixed from two different wine boxes. That was as close as I ever came to tasting malt whisky. But I can claim to have seen it up close - through a glass of box plonk."

Hiding a dusty bottle of aged Jameson's in the closet? Come, on, celebrate the Shackleton stash discovery and share a shot or two with a friend.
 

Comments

[Frank Simpson]

The staff and officers of Petaluma’s Internationale Instituto De Vino Wino have been provoked to go forth and procure a bottle of malt whisky--thus ending our ignorance of this particular liquid. We have secured the necessary day trip permit from our parole officers!

Sincerely

Chief Wino & Solo Vine Manager (We have only one vine)–Frank
First Secretary-Vinnie Parducci
Second Secretary- Guido Marcucci
Third Secretary-Gustav Von Da Vee
Treasurer-Minnie Da Moocher
Counsel–Horace Rumpole of Chateau Fleet Street Claret
Vat & Barrel Managers-Jay Gaulo
Restaurant Manager-Al Fresco
Food Director–Sushi Tira-Misu
Director, Financial Planning-Two Fingers (as in “a-one-a,” “a-two-a”) Sabastiani
Director of Protocol & Arbiter of Taste–Marthe Stuarda
Tour Director-Expresso Camino Freeway
Movie & Video Critic-Francois Fjord
Bouncer–Sumo Cum Laude “Big Fish” Sashimi
Chats du Vin Extraordinaire—Hannah Sue & Gracie Mae (The Claret Kitties)
Director of Cheap & Trashy Personal Counseling–Tristan E. Isolde
Director of Catering–Enchy Latta
Senior Citizen Wine Consultant–Jerry Attrick

[Frances]

Just one bottle? With so many staff members? Good luck on getting a look-in!