Whyte & Mackay, the world’s fifth largest producer of Scotch whisky, launched Shackleton Blend Malt Scotch Whisky in the U.S. markets. Shackleton Blended Malt combines select Highland Single Malts to capture the spirit of the original whisky commissioned by British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s for his legendary 1907 Antarctic expedition.
Sir Ernest Shackleton commissioned 25 cases of Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky for his record-breaking Antarctic expedition of 1907. Aboard the ship, “Nimrod,” Shackleton led his second attempt to go where no one had before – The South Pole. Shackleton and his men reached 88 degrees south, further than his previous attempt, but still 97 miles short of the pole. Faced with disaster, Shackleton turned back, leading everyone in his crew home to safety even after their ship was lost to the ice. In the race for survival, supplies were left behind, including three cases of Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt.
One century later, 11 intact bottles containing this perfectly preserved whisky were recovered from under the ice beneath Shackleton’s basecamp. World renowned Master Blender, Richard Paterson, inspired by the antique whisky, has created Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.