Whiskey Related Literature.

[Raven]

Recently published Travel book with a difference entitled ' The Wet and the Dry' by Lawrence Osborne
published by Harvill Secker @ 12.99 Sterling ( Ebook also available ) Excellent read about the author's search
for a drink in supposedly dry Islamic countries and his visits to breweries,wineries and distilleries. In some
cases as with the winery in Egypt owned by two Lebanese they only see five years left for them as things are
getting harsher. Most unusual whiskey must be the blended Malt 'Gymkhana' made in Rawalpindi, Pakistan whose
combined brewery/distillery he visited ( a 21 year old is also made there neither of which are available outside Pakistan )

[Raven]

Very interesting book I just read over the Christmas period 'Shackleton's Whisky' by Neville Peat and
published by Preface books 2013. Details the Shackleton 'British Antarctic Expedition' 1907/09 and
the discovery in 2007 of crates of Mackinlay 10 yr. old Malt Whiskey from that Expedition secreted
under the original hut in Antarctica. Extremely tedious work in retrieving same and thawing out the
box -- the whiskey never froze as when tested it was 47.19 a.b.v. which would have required minus
34.3 degrees . Whyte & Mackay who now own the brand re-created the 1907 bottling and did 50,000
bottles at £100 each in the U.K. when launched. Recommended read. I got mine in waterstone's, Cork
which cost Euros 21.50.

[Raven]

Very interesting book I just read over the Christmas period 'Shackleton's Whisky' by Neville Peat and
published by Preface books 2013. Details the Shackleton 'British Antarctic Expedition' 1907/09 and
the discovery in 2007 of crates of Mackinlay 10 yr. old Malt Whiskey from that Expedition secreted
under the original hut in Antarctica. Extremely tedious work in retrieving same and thawing out the
box -- the whiskey never froze as when tested it was 47.19 a.b.v. which would have required minus
34.3 degrees . Whyte & Mackay who now own the brand re-created the 1907 bottling and did 50,000
bottles at £100 each in the U.K. when launched. Recommended read. I got mine in waterstone's, Cork
which cost Euros 21.50.

[JohnM]

Do they mention any of the other whisky brought on the expedition? Shackleton brought Irish whiskey too, and drank it... Also brandy, I think.

I got "The Science and Commerce of Whisky" for Christmas.

[Raven]

Shackleton had Irish Quaker roots being born at Kilkea near Ballitore the Quaker settlement
in Co. Kildare and was himself according to the book fairly abstemious. No mention whatsoever
of Irish whiskey on the voyage -- the original order still survives. The Brandy and Port are not
specified by name but some of this was recovered as well and it was Australian Brandy from
the Hunter Valley. The Brandy loaded in London though was likely from France.

[JohnM]

That's interesting. I know I read somewhere that they brought Irish whiskey on the expedition and consumed it. The scotch was the stuff that was left. Me reading it somewhere is no guarantee it's true, of course. I'll have look into that.

[DavidH]

I know I read somewhere that they brought Irish whiskey on the expedition and consumed it. The scotch was the stuff that was left.

I assumed that was a joke by some of the heads around here

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I know I read somewhere that they brought Irish whiskey on the expedition and consumed it. The scotch was the stuff that was left.

I assumed that was a joke by some of the heads around here

I believe I have circulated that story one or twice. I don't know if I wrote it here or not. I've no doubt it's true anyway. Has anyone ever tried the reproduction Whisky?

[Raven]

During the War of Independence in North Cork an interesting use was made of Irish whiskey bottles
(Recycling was not invented in the last 20/30 years)by the local people who kept watch out for the
Flying Columns to prevent attempts of encirclement by the enemy.Empty bottles were filled with an
inch of water and the bottom was heated over a flame which consequently fell off.What remained was
called a 'Conchie' no doubt after the Conch shell which was used as a horn to send signals 'which were
loud and created a disquieting sound at night'. They could be disposed of easily in hedgerows until
required again. This little nugget is in 'Sean Moylan Rebel Leader' by Aideen Carroll. Mercier press
of Cork 2010. It is about the well known & respected commander of Cork no.2 Brigade who was afterwards
a T.D. and Government minister.

[Fionnán]

Thanks so much for that Raven. Bizarrely enough, Aideen Carroll is actually my aunt but i'd never once heard that story...

[Raven]

Excellent book and very well researched. Elderly lady i know originally from Banteer had
heard this story from her own grandmother but wasn't sure of its veracity until I brought
it to her notice.

[Skootzi]

I got a copy of this for Christmas. Really great intro for beginners.



There are some great vouchers for amazon if you want to buy it as a gift.
Take a look here
and I'd really recommend this for general drinking mischief
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/701265.Longest_Crawl

[Fionnán]

Dave Broom is fantastic in general and the above is an excellent comprehensive guide (if it's the book i think it is, it's also the only world whiskey guide that goes into any technical depth whatsoever about Midleton's peculiar distillation procedures...)