Mackinlay's Shackleton Rare Old Highland Malt

Better than expected

Julien

A very good blended Scotch. There are better ones available at a lower price point, but this is such a great story and with the additional packaging, makes a great gift.

There is a saying that it's better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. I can't really judge how successful of an imitation this having not tried the whisky it's copying but what I can say that I'd prefer an original blend from Compass box (ok maybe not Asyla which was a waste of my liver). Now it's not terrible it's just not great and at $120USD a bottle you want something other than a lovely story. Compass Box spice tree is half the price and has an original story and better outcome. Slight oily sweetness, slight peat and it all integrates quite nicely albeit a very short finish a 3.5 rating on a good day. I'd say factoring in price and judging on soley on taste not the art of recreation I'd give it a 3 but I'll add 1/2 a point back for the artistic side. If you love a good story, appreciate the art of blending and use $20 US notes as papers for your roll your own cigarettes this one is right up your alley. Otherwise if you are like me and just want a great tasting whisky where the price is in alignment with the outcome it delivers you aren't missing anything if you don't get to try