Support NWP21 with a bottle of Northwest Passage Expedition Gin
A little while back, Survival and Bushcrafts interviewed Mark Agnew about Rowing the Northwest Passage. This expedition, set to take place in 2021, is considered to be ‘The Last Great First’. However, it’s not just about the challenge of physical endurance in an incredibly challenging environment. NWP21 will also involve data collection for climate change scientists.
So what’s gin got to do with the expedition?
The Northwest Passage Expedition craft gin is flavoured with botanicals from the shores of Orkney and the Hudson Bay in Canada. The flavours transport you back to the Age of Discovery. Back then, lime was added to the daily gin ration of the men of the Royal Navy to help combat scurvy.
Proceeds from the sales of the Northwest Passage Expedition Gin will fund the Last Great First. The 2021 maritime navigation of the Northwest Passage by human power – the ultimate ocean row.
Historical background
The search for the Northwest Passage began in the 15th century, as Europeans sought a route to Asia for trade.
Over the next centuries, some of the western world’s best explorers attempted the route. These included Sir Francis Drake, Martin Frobisher, Captain Cook, Sir John Franklin and John Ross.
But every one of them was foiled by the brutal conditions and the enveloping ice. However, the area was eventually mapped by the likes of the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company. The existence of a route began to fall into doubt after so many failed attempts to locate it.
Then, in the 1860s, the Orcadian John Rae, finally found a sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, after hiking overland for months. It was fitting that Rae would find it. So many employees and explorers of the Hudson Bay Company also hailed from his home islands.
It was not until Roald Amundsen set out in 1903 that the route was finally navigated from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It took three years to complete the route as the sea froze around him, time and again.
Unique flavours
Now, our Northwest Passage Expedition Gin is a tribute to all the greatest legends and explorers of the region. The gin is distilled in Orkney as a homage to Rae and his fellow Orcadians. Water is taken from the same source that Cook and Franklin used to stock their ships
The unique flavours are drawn from Sugar Kelp, Angelica Archangelica, Ramanas Rose and Burnet Rose. These are found on the twin shores of the mighty Hudson Bay and the Orkney Islands. The Angelica root adds a hint of sweetness, that is balanced by a subtle, floral note from the roses. The addition of lemon peel and calamondin brings the bright, citrus notes to the gin. Meanwhile the sugar kelp brings a mild saltiness to the palette, connecting our spirit to the sea.
But the gin has not been distilled to mark history. It is to make history. The proceeds will fund the Northwest Passage’s final chapter – navigation by human power alone. This will be the ultimate ocean row – a 3,700km odyssey through thawing arctic tundra.
Spirit of Adventure
This craft gin, made in The Orkney Distillery alongside the award-winning Kirkjuvagrbrand, is a treat for all spirit lovers who want to experience the familiar taste of a G&T and new, wild, distant tones from frozen Arctic shores.
For all its flavours, there is one secret ingredient not listed: a spirit of adventure.
Support the team
You can support this amazing expedition by ordering a bottle, or more, of Northwest Passage Expedition Craft Gin. Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift for someone else, this is special. You will be supporting the team, the challenge and scientific research. Perhaps more importantly, you will be keeping alive the spirit of adventure.
You can order a bottle at https://nwpexpeditiongin.com. Alternatively, give Mark some credit by ordering through his link at https://nwpexpeditiongin.com/?aff=4
