I saw a reprint of this story last night on my USA Today app:
"Whiskey lovers won't have the luxury of being able to taste the heritage dram that has been trapped in a crate, in the Antarctic ice for a century... The crate eventually revealed 11 bottles of Mackinlay's Scotch whiskey, wrapped in paper and straw to protect them from the rigors of a rough trip to Antarctica for Shackleton's 1907 Nimrod expedition.
The crate was recovered earlier this year even though it was frozen solid. The whiskey inside could be heard sloshing around in the bottles. Antarctica's minus 22 Fahrenheit (-30 Celsius) temperature was not sufficient to freeze the liquor, dating from 1896 or 1897 and illustrated as being remarkably in good condition.
This Scotch is unlikely ever to be drunk, but master blenders will examine samples to see if they can duplicate the brew and relaunch the now-defunct Scotch."
From the report, it sounds like they're handling this correctly and preserving a bit of history.
--
Ladd Nelson
Oh, when the big wheels hear of this, those bottles will go for probably hundreds of thousands of dollars. Only the most wealthy and influential will be able to partake.
Truth be known, it's probably rot gut as they were stocking up for a long trip, not buying the best to sip on by a fire.
good chance it will be analyzed by chemists, brewers, and distillers.
ever try midas touch by dogfish head brewery? it was based on chemical reverse engineering of a middle east excavation. they recovered beer residue at the bottom of a chalice and did their best to redo it.
if you're a three stooges fan, i would tell you it was featured in the grave diggers episode. the on with "king rootin-tootin"!
Midas Touch
Availability: Year Round
This recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike.
Original Release Date: 03/1999
Food Pairing Recommendations:
Pan-Asian dishes, risotto, curries, baked fish and chicken
Glassware Recommendation:
White Wine
Tasting Notes:
Honey, saffron, papaya, melon, biscuity, succulent
Wine Comparable:
Sauterne Champagne
ABV
9.0 IBU
12 
Mackinlay's Illicit Still Ceramic
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-597.aspx
£125.00 or $192.46
