A rare chance to buy a rare whisky

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Whisky enthusiasts will be lining up outside the BC Liquor Store on Cambie Street and 39th Avenue today. It’s over a bottle that hasn’t been tasted in over a hundred years.

In 1907, Ernest Shackelton set out on an ill-fated exhibition to the South Pole and left behind supplies, including several cases of Mackinlays Old Highland Malt Whisky.

Archeologists recently found the frozen bottles under the old base camp, and today, enthusiasts can buy a limited release copy, something whisky enthusiast J. Wheelock is looking forward to.

“It is a chance to try something that is really outside of personal collections, which a lot of people aren’t opening their doors to. This is a chance to try a brand that you can’t buy because it doesn’t exist.”

Wheelock says the surprisingly light and vibrant taste appeals on many levels.

“Kind of share in the spirit of that sort of endurance. These guys are travelling to Antarctica and this is what they chose to bring along with them. It is kind sharing that spirit of adventure. It is an emotional and taste connection.”

Only 50,000 bottles world-wide have been made, the equivalent of one weeks worth of production for most distilleries. Five percent of the proceeds of every 195 dollar bottle will go to the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

National Geographic has amazing video of the distilling process. That can be found here.

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