At a recent event, I had the rare pleasure of tasting Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky — a remarkable recreation of the original whisky shipped to Antarctica in 1907 by the legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton.

Crafted to honor that historic expedition, this whisky is both elusive and exceptionally high priced, making it a true privilege to experience. I’m incredibly grateful to the generous soul who shared it with us. Let’s dive in.

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Nose: fruit, vanilla and spices

Palate: vanilla, pepper, light honey and whispers of smoke

Finish: spices, light burn and touches of cereal and dryness

ABV: 47.3%

Cost: From $150 to $1000++ (it really depends on where you are looking)

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Let’s talk about this whisky — it’s beautifully made. I genuinely enjoyed it, and the historical connection to Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition adds a layer of intrigue that’s hard to ignore. Flavor-wise, it delivers a lovely mix of vanilla, subtle smoke, and pepper, all balanced with a gentle sweetness and a hint of dryness. It’s refined, no doubt.

But here’s the thing: while it’s a pleasure to taste, the price tag is steep — almost prohibitively so. As much as I admire it, I wouldn’t go hunting for a bottle, and honestly, I don’t think you need to either. It’s a great experience, but not an essential shelf addition.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend people to try it and make up their own minds.