Scotch on the Rocks, Update: Retrieved!

Scotch whisky meant to warm Antarctic explorers retrieved after century locked in ice

Associated Press (via Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN) -- thanks to Sean for the heads up.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - This Scotch has been on the rocks for a century.

Five crates of Scotch whisky and two of brandy have been recovered by a team restoring an Antarctic hut used more than 100 years ago by famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

Ice cracked some of the bottles that had been left there in 1909, but the restorers said Friday they are confident the five crates contain intact bottles "given liquid can be heard when the crates are moved."

New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust team leader Al Fastier said the team thought there were two crates and were amazed to find five.

Current distillery owner, drinks group Whyte & Mackay, launched the bid to recover the Scotch whisky for samples to test and decide whether to relaunch the defunct spirit made by distiller McKinlay and Co.

Fastier said restoration workers found the crates under the hut's floorboards in 2006, but they were too deeply embedded in ice to be dislodged.

The New Zealanders agreed to drill the ice to try to retrieve some bottles, although the rest must stay under conservation guidelines agreed to by 12 Antarctic Treaty nations.

"The unexpected find of the brandy crates, one labeled Chas. Mackinlay & Co and the other labeled The Hunter Valley Distillery Limited Allandale (Australia) are a real bonus," said Fastier.

Ice has cracked some of the crates and formed inside them. Fastier said in a statement that would make extracting the contents delicate, but the trust would decide how to do so in coming weeks.

Richard Paterson, master blender at Whyte and Mackay, whose company supplied the Mackinlay's whisky for Shackleton, described the find as "a gift from the heavens for whisky lovers."

"If the contents can be confirmed, safely extracted and analyzed, the original blend may be able to be replicated. Given the original recipe no longer exists, this may open a door into history," he said in a statement.

Shackleton's expedition ran short of supplies on its long ski trek to the South Pole from the northern Antarctic coast in 1907-1909 and turned back about 100 miles (160 kilometers) short of its goal.

The expedition sailed away in 1909 as winter ice formed, leaving behind supplies, including the whisky and brandy.

Holiday Inventory Update

Apparently the word is out that a good Scotch makes my [day]. Received a few bottles as gifts over the holidays, including the spanking new Laphroaig 18 which is sweetly smooth like the soon to be gone 15yr, but packs more of that authentic Laphroaig punch - it's bottled at the same ABV as the Quarter Cask too.
Huge thanks to all! Updated inventory:

Auchentoshan Select
Auchentoshan Classic
Balvenie 12yr Signature, Batch 1
Glen Garrioch 10yr
Glenfiddich 18yr
Glenlivet 15yr French Oak
Glenlivet 16yr Nadurra
Johnny Walker Red Label
Lagavulin 16yr
Laphroaig 15yr
Laphroaig 18yr
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Talisker 10yr

Scotch on the Rocks, For 100 Years

Check out this gem soon to be drilled out of the Antarctic ice ... which could relaunch McKinlay Whisky if it's good enough.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A beverage company has asked a team to drill through Antarctica's ice for a lost cache of some vintage Scotch whiskey that has been on the rocks since a century ago.

The drillers will be trying to reach two crates of McKinlay and Co. whiskey that were shipped to the Antarctic by British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton as part of his abandoned 1909 expedition.

Whyte & Mackay, the drinks group that now owns McKinlay and Co., has asked for a sample of the 100-year-old scotch for a series of tests that could decide whether to relaunch the now-defunct Scotch.

Workers from New Zealand's Antarctic Heritage Trust will use special drills to reach the crates, frozen in Antarctic ice under the Nimrod Expedition hut near Cape Royds.

Al Fastier, who will lead the expedition in January, said restoration workers found the crates of whiskey under the hut's floorboards in 2006. At the time, the crates and bottles were too deeply embedded in ice to be dislodged.

The New Zealanders have agreed to try to retrieve some bottles, although the rest must stay under conservation guidelines agreed by 12 Antarctic Treaty nations.

Fastier said he did not want to sample the contents.

"It's better to imagine it than to taste it," he said. "That way it keeps its mystery."

Richard Paterson, Whyte & Mackay's master blender, said the Shackleton expedition's whiskey could still be drinkable and taste exactly as it did 100 years ago.

If he can get a sample, he intends to replicate the old Scotch and put McKinlay whiskey back on sale.

"I really hope we can get some back here," he was quoted as telling London's Telegraph newspaper. "It's been laying there lonely and neglected. It should come back to Scotland where it was born.

"Even if most of the bottles have to remain in Antarctica for historic reasons, it would be good if we could get a couple," Paterson said.

Caol Ila On The Outs?

Inquired about Caol Ila slowly disappearing from the shelves in North America ... the details I received were sketchy, but from the sounds of it, they will not be replenishing the stock in the US or Canada any time soon.
It's simply a great, unique whisky. If you're lucky enough to spot a bottle, it would be in your best interest to pick one up (or two? or more?). I haven't heard anything official from the distillery, but once I have any more news on Caol Ila, I'll post it here.

Miscellaneous Update

Our favorite Irish pub Jake O'Connors has been running a weekly promo where patrons pick the winners of that week's NFL games. They are hoping to bring in the crowds on football Sundays. I was notified, and am happy to announce, that I won this little promo -- for the SECOND time last week!

There are two reasons why this is important. First, I love hanging out at Jakes and for winning this little promo I get a meal and free drinks during an upcoming Vikings game (x2) giving me yet another reason to visit. Second, our fearless fellow blogger Rhett was with me on both occasions and obviously didn't make the grade with his picks.

Rhett may have bragging rights on his unbelievably cheap Balvenie Doublewood find but I get double bragging rights at The Pub and street cred on my football knowledge. FYI, it took me all of 15 seconds to enter those picks. Ouch.

OK, maybe I'll share my winnings with him.
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Separately, we need to ping our source about potential supply issues regarding Dageo and the Caol Isla distillery... It appears we have a problem north of the border. Stay tuned.
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In other news, I have road trips planned to Washington DC and Chicago. I look forward to on site blog updates.

Cheers

Scotch Heaven!

Heaven on Earth? You be the judge.

I went out with some trader types in lower Manhattan (Tribeca) to a hard to spot joint called The Brandy Library. Walls filled with every imaginable iteration of every scotch I've tried or wanted to try. Hundreds of bottles line the walls and there are no duplicates -- I asked. I highly recommend a visit if you're in New York City.

I ordered a Laphroaig 15 but too bad they were out AND was informed that it will no longer be produced as the distiller plans to release the 18. So STOCK UP!!! Went with the Laphroaig Cask Strength and ordered a Cragganmore 12 for my new pal Willie. High five Willie for bringing me to this place.

Cheers

4 Fingered, Again!

Seriously ... if anyone reading this ever finds themselves at Chino Latino in Minneapolis, be sure to order up a Scotch. I was there a while back and scored a ginormous whisky, complete with plastic straw! It's happened one time since, and again last night. And trust me, I'm not complaining in the least! It's terrific when you get a 3-for-1 on quantity & quality. Last night I was sipping on a healthy Glenlivet.
Note: Last night they forgot to garnish it with a plastic straw - *whew!*

The Scotch floweth!

It's been a quiet summer around here. But rest assured, the whisky has been flowing! Erik and myself both recently attended a Scotch tasting ... and handful of goodies exploring various regions, but the one that stood out to both of us was the intense Ledaig from the island of Mull. Was heavily peated (differently from Islay), but strongly intense with flavor. Reminded me of the shocking impact that that first dram of Laphroaig 10 had on me. While it was only a brief taste - muddled by a reused, however washed glass, and other various tastings back to back before it - it was hard to grasp the subtle details. I'm going to make an effort to pick up a bottle this week so I can swan dive into it for a full review.
My current stock: Laphraoig 15, Balvenie 10, Longrow 14, Glen Garrioch 8
I bought out the stock of Speyburn at my local liquor store and am impatiently waiting a fresh batch. The Speyburn 10 was quick to become my summer whisky of choice with its light fruity taste, and simple price.
The blog will start to pick up once again ... and trust me, I'm looking forward to it.

Glen Garioch, an 8 year utility

I've been meaning to try the Glen Garioch as a possibly Highland utility whisky due to its inexpensive price tag coming in right at the same price as Speyburn 10. Finally got around to picking up a bottle. I have to admit, I'm rather impressed. It's the perfect single malt intro scotch. If you were a scotch rookie, and someone handed you a pour of the Glen Garioch 8yr, it would probably taste exactly what you would assume scotch would taste like. It has an impressive body (for the price) and a perfect little kick to go along with it. It has gentle fruity undertones, and a simple dry finish.
My Speyburn utility has a new friend on the 'free-for-all' table.

No news still good news

Not much to report -- still pouring scotch. Although I did add a rye to the stable just for fun. Reminds me of Jack Daniels. Rhett and I had a surprise visitor... John, who introduced us to Laphroiag (and Aberlour for that matter), visited from Chicago. Sunny weather, Irish pub, John, Rhett and me -- doesn't get much better unless/until I get my boat in the water... Laphroiag will make the maiden voyage roster.

Cheers