The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
Scotch

Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Inspired by whisky recovered from beneath Antarctic ice more than a century after Shackleton's expedition, this affordable blended malt proves that a great story can make a good whisky even more enjoyable.

OVERALL RATING

6
$32
  • Genevieve is a South African whisky enthusiast with a PhD in Philosophy and founder of Kenton on Whisky, a coastal tasting venture.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

Some whiskies are bought for what’s in the bottle. Others are bought for the story that comes with them. While I’d say Shackleton Blended Malt Whisky falls into the second camp, the whisky itself is rather enjoyable too.

The whisky takes its inspiration from the Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt supplied to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1907 British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition. More than a century later, eleven intact bottles were discovered beneath Shackleton’s expedition hut at Cape Royds in Antarctica.

This modern blended malt was created by Whyte & Mackay’s master blender, Richard Paterson, who drew inspiration from the flavour profile of the whisky that was recovered. It’s certainly one of the more fascinating origin stories of a whisky you’ll come across!

Bottled at 40% ABV, Shackleton is an easy-drinking, no-age-statement blended malt whisky created from a selection of Highland single malts.
Appearance:
Golden
Nose:
Inviting aromas of vanilla and honey, accompanied by ripe orchard fruits. Peaches and melon. Hints of toffee and gentle baking spices.
Palate:
Approachable, with notes of honey and sultanas. There’s some caramel and sweet malt, followed by dark chocolate and a touch of spice.
Finish:
Medium in length, leaving lingering impressions of honey and the faintest whisper of smoke right at the end.
Comments:
Generally available for around $32, this whisky offers good value for money. It’s a well-balanced, approachable dram with an extraordinary backstory. If you’re looking for an easy evening pour or a bottle that sparks conversation, Shackleton delivers both.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod

Genevieve is a whisky enthusiast from South Africa with a PhD in Philosophy, so she enjoys both drinking and thinking about whisky. She loves tasting new whiskies whenever she gets the chance - so much so that a few years ago she set up a small whisky tasting business, "Kenton on Whisky", in the tiny coastal town where she lives (this also serves as an excellent excuse to grow her selection of whiskies beyond reasonable limits).

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

The whiskey wash logo