World's First Antarctic-Matured Whisky Unveiled

Cask World and La Alazana Distillery have collaborated to produce the world's first whisky aged in Antarctica. Named Isla Marambio, this eight-year-old Argentinian Whisky spent three years maturing at Argentina's Base Marambio research station.

The whisky was initially aged for five years in new oak casks at La Alazana Distillery in Chubut Province before being transferred to used bourbon barrels and transported to Antarctica for further maturation. The aging process took place in an uninsulated hut on Seymour Island at Base Marambio, enduring extreme temperatures ranging from minus 35 degrees Celsius to plus 10 degrees Celsius, causing frost to form on the outside of the barrels.

Conceived by Cask World founder Daniel Monk, this project is part of his 8 Continent Series, which aims to be the first whisky collection globally to feature bottlings matured on all seven continents plus Antarctica. Lila Serenelli, co-founder and head distiller at La Alazana, noted that the frigid Antarctic environment may have enhanced flavor extraction and oxidation while reducing alcohol evaporation, imparting unique floral notes not typically prominent in their regular whiskies.

The transportation of the casks to and from Antarctica was facilitated by the Argentine Air Force using Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, with significant support from the Argentine Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces. Daniel Monk described the partners at La Alazana as pioneers who, like him, dared to undertake an unprecedented feat.

This Antarctic-matured whisky is slated for release in 2026, alongside other bottlings from the 8 Continent Series, which include whiskies from India, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, and Wales.

2025-10-10

Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/worlds-first-antarctic-matured-whisky/