Whisky Review/Tasting: MacKinlay's Shackleton The Journey

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The whisky is a faithful recreation of a 1907 whisky, blending several malt whiskies from different distilleries.
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation & Maturation: The original whisky was distilled and matured in the Scottish Highlands, specifically mentioned distilleries are Glenmore and Glen Albin, both now closed.
Age Statement: The recreated whisky does not have a specific age statement but is suggested to be similar to whiskies aged 10 to 15 years.
Color & Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the whisky is implied to have a traditional appearance.
Bottle Design: The bottle is covered in straw, mimicking historical packaging to protect the whisky. It also features a label that can be removed to resemble the original 1907 bottle.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky offers a balance of smokiness, fruitiness (notably apple and pears), vanilla, and caramel. It is described as warm and complex, with a strong alcohol presence.
Unique Characteristics: The smokiness is compared to Highland Park but slightly less intense. The whisky is not overly aged, avoiding the heavy old aromas typical of older whiskies.
Comparison: The flavor profile is typical of Highland malt whiskies from the early 20th century, with a focus on peat for drying and heating.

Ernest Shackleton's Expeditions: The whisky is a recreation of the blend ordered by the famous explorer Ernest Shackleton for his 1907 British Antarctic Expedition. The original bottles were discovered under the floor of Shackleton's base camp hut, preserved in the Antarctic conditions.
Historical Recreation: The recreation process involved analyzing the original bottles recovered from Antarctica, with contributions from whisky experts like Richard Patterson of Whyte & Mackay.
Expedition Legacy: The story highlights the harsh conditions of Shackleton's expeditions and the role of whisky in providing comfort to the explorers.

Antarctic Exploration: The whisky is directly linked to the era of Antarctic exploration, embodying the spirit of adventure and endurance of Shackleton and his crew.
Scottish Heritage: The recreation of the whisky emphasizes the historical significance of Scotch whisky production and its cultural heritage.

Respect for History: "I have very much respect, not for the whisky, no, for the people who then sat in the shivering cold and said, give me a whisky."
Recreation Effort: "You have to pay for the recreation of this whisky for the enormous work the people did at Whyte & Mackay to bring this whisky back to life."
Legacy: "Richard Patterson, he is heritage to the people who went to Antarctica."

MacKinlay's Shackleton The Journey is a blended malt Scotch whisky, recreating a 1907 blend ordered by Ernest Shackleton.
The whisky blends several malt whiskies, with a flavor profile of smokiness, fruitiness, vanilla, and caramel.
The story of the whisky is intertwined with Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the blend.
The recreation process involved significant effort to mimic the original whisky, with respect paid to the explorers' legacy.
The whisky is recommended for those interested in the history of exploration and the heritage of Scotch whisky.

History Enthusiasts: Individuals fascinated by the era of Antarctic exploration and historical figures like Ernest Shackleton.
Whisky Collectors: Collectors looking for unique whiskies with a significant backstory and limited availability.
Scotch Whisky Aficionados: Those interested in experiencing a recreation of a historical Scotch whisky blend, offering a glimpse into the flavor profiles of the early 20th century.