Shackleton's Whisky - Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt

I heard the story of Shackleton's Whisky and saw a bottle for sale in the newspaper ads for a local bottle shop. My wife and I looked at the bottle and said we gotta try this! Problem is the bottle is going for $200 Aussie. We decide for something this awesome we gotta do it, even if it is $200! We ran out to the bottle shop that day and immediately bought the bottle.

When we opened the bottle the first smells we got were of oak, then a slight fruity/vanilla odor. Now to see if it tasted as good as it smelled!

On the first sip the first thing we got was alcohol, like a slap in the face then peat, woodsmoke. It's hard, but enjoyable. I immediately started salivating and couldn't wait for another taste. As I sip the taste slowly developed with stronger oak and honey tones. As I drink it starts to get a bit spicey for me, but it is still enjoyable.

Finish was long and smooth with lots of oak and spice!

This was a good whisky. One I'd like to drink again and again. There's nothing wrong with this whisky, especially if you like smoke, except the price. My wife and I both enjoy a glass now and then and I'd love to keep a bottle on hand for guests, but at $200 bucks a bottle it's just not worth it for me. I feel that I'm paying more for the fancy box and the story behind the whisky, then the whisky itself. Is it a good dram to have? Sure! But for the price that we paid for this bottle we could of got at least a couple of bottles of other whiskies that are just as good if not better then this.

Is it worth trying, sure is. Is it worth buying at $200? Sure if money isn't that big an issue for you. For my money I could of gotten a couple of other bottles such as Aberlour 10 year, Arberg 10 year, etc, that are just as good, if not better.

Get the bottle if you have some money to blow and are interested in the story, but if you have to watch your malt money like me, move on my friend.

Find where to buy Mackinlay's whisky