An incredible journey
THEIR CHALLENGE
Walking With The Wounded is a charity that helps wounded servicemen and women lead extraordinary lives. Joined by Prince Harry and seasoned polar explorer Conrad Dickinson, #TeamGlenfiddich participated in the South Pole Allied Challenge, facing two teams of wounded soldiers in a 335km race to the South Pole.
THEIR DETERMINATION
As the teams arrived at their first checkpoint, conditions on the ground deteriorated and a decision was taken to abandon the race. But the brave teams were determined to reach their goal. All three teams joined together to complete their mission, reaching the South Pole together on Friday 13th December 2013, where they shared a dram.
THEIR CAUSE
Walking With The Wounded helps wounded servicemen and women overcome both physical and mental injuries and return to civilian life, helping them to find long-term employment following their military careers. In addition to supporting #TeamGlenfiddich, all the profits from the sale of Spirit of a Nation are donated to Walking With The Wounded.
An extraordinary whisky
The Cask
Inscribed with words of support from people around the UK, the cask was covered in handwritten tags containing the messages you sent.
Personally selected by our Malt Master, this special cask toured the UK, gathering messages of support from well-wishers around the country.
The cask then returned to Warehouse 8, where the whisky was finished for three months, absorbing the character of the cask.
As the whisky rested, each message we received was individually handwritten on special tags at our Distillery and added to the cask, allowing you to be a part of the Spirit of a Nation.
The Whisky
Matured in a refill sherry cask for 29 Years, Spirit of a Nation was finished in an American Bourbon cask, giving it an extraordinary character.
Exclusive to the UK, this one-of-a-kind single malt was personally selected by our Malt Master from a refill sherry cask that was laid down on February 14th, 1984.
The liquid was chosen for its lovely, deep copper colour, its rich and oaky nose with dried fruits and spice, and its sweet vanilla taste with hints of cinnamon spice, beeswax and polished leather.
The Spirit of a Nation cask added soft, sweet notes to create a complex, rewarding and completely unique single malt.
Limited to just 250 bottles, 200 were distributed to specialist outlets at an RRP of £1000, with all proceeds going to support Walking With The Wounded.
The Team
Spirit of a Nation is inspired by #TeamGlenfiddich, who journeyed to the South Pole to raise awareness for wounded servicemen and women.
Joined by Prince Harry and seasoned polar explorer Conrad Dickinson, four wounded servicemen and women who overcome life-changing injuries in the line of duty to make the epic journey to the South Pole in December 2013.
All four teammates had overcome the loss of at least one limb, making their ambition even more inspirational
The team tested the limits of their endurance, overcoming a gruelling selection process including several weeks training in Iceland, so they were ready to face temperatures of -35c and 100mph crosswinds on their way to the South Pole.
Your messages of support
Read the messages of support below.
Walking With The Wounded
@SupportTheWalk 19th April 2013
Official Launch
of The Glenfiddich Allied Challenge Team
Nationwide
18th May 2013
Cumbrian Challenge Whisky Tasting
Summer 2013
Glenfiddich Speak
On Events
November 12th 2013
Glenfiddich Pioneers Club Toast To Success
at The Shard
December 16th 2013
World’s First Live Broadcast From
The South Pole
The team reply to your messages
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Duncan Slater
"Trekking to the South Pole is going to be an incredible journey but it wouldn't be possible without the support of our friends, families, teammates and sponsors. But we've been overwhelmed by the support from the public, people we don't know and have never met. They have been incredibly kind and we really feel like they'll be with us every step of the way"
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Guy Disney
"To read through the messages of support really justifies what we're doing - it's great knowing that we are raising awareness of the work that Walking With The Wounded does in getting wounded servicemen and women back into work and that people appreciate that"
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Ibrar Ali
"Whether it is when we have been at Walking With The Wounded events, touring the country with the Spirit of a Nation cask or just in the local shops, every time someone wishes us luck or says they're following our progress it gives me a real buzz. We're grateful for anyone who shows support and hope that people donate to the charity, too"
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Kate Philp
"Thanks from all the members of Team Glenfiddich to everyone who has sent us a message of support in the build-up to the South Pole expedition. It's a great feeling of comfort knowing that people are supportive of what we're doing and will be thinking of us while we are in Antarctica"