Buried treasure: Distillery goes to the South Pole in search of Shackleton's lost whisky
By Laura Powell
Last updated at 10:51 PM on 16th November 2009
Whyte & Mackay are searching for their old blend of whisky, taken to the South pole by Sir Ernest Shackleton
It's a polar mission of epic proportions. So epic, in fact, that it requires a team of explorers lugging special equipment along icy paths to their destination - a spot 97 miles from the South Pole.
No, we're not talking about Captain Scott's tragic mission. Nor the ill-fated journey of Sir Ernest Shackleton - although this group of intrepid explorers will be following in his footsteps.
The perilous trip is, in fact, a rescue mission for Shackleton's lost whisky. And if you think that sounds a bit mad - well, it is.
Quite simply, the Whyte & Mackay distillery is desperate to recreate its 'Rare Old' blend - the spirit which warmed Shackleton on his 1907-1909 trek to the pole.
Unfortunately, just two days before he reached his target, the explorer and his 14 crew had to be rescued when blizzards made it too dangerous to continue.
They left behind their hut in Antarctica's Cape Royds, stocked with what remained of their supplies.
These included Yorkshire ham, Colman's mustard, copious tins of Lyle's Golden Syrup - and two crates of 'Rare Old' whisky.
Polar explorers first stumbled across the hoard in 2006 while excavating ice from beneath the hut.
We are no longer accepting comments on this article.