Elite Traveler HRS 2022

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etr li at ve eler HOTELS, RESORTS & SPAS 2022 22

For most of us, whisky, wild swimming and the world’s third-largest whirlpool sound like a lethal combination. But not for New Zealand-born brothers Alex and Nick Ravenhall. The whisky- loving duo known as ‘The Whisky Smugglers’ swam the treacherous Corryvreckan Strait between the islands of Jura and Scarba on Scotland’s untamed (and very chilly) west coast. And, if taking the plunge into a huge swirling abyss with near- mythical status wasn’t difficult enough, the Māori brothers completed the swim with multiple bottles of whisky strapped to their bodies. WHISKY ANDWATER

quality of water used to make single malts. If you care about your single malts then you should care about the environment from which they are made — and ultimately that means caring for our water sources.” The new year will see the brothers take on a swim they’re calling ‘Five Lochs Five Drams.’ “It’s a highland swim through lochs that feed some of the most iconic whisky distilleries,” explains Nick. “Off the back of that, we plan to launch a blended whisky to keep raising money to help make change.” seashepherd.org.nz

Why, you ask? All in the name of charity. The accomplished wild swimmers (who both work in Scotland’s whisky industry) took on the infamous stretch to highlight the vulnerability of the planet’s oceans. The transported whisky is now being blended to be sold as limited-edition expressions to raise funds for the conservation charity, Sea Shepherd New Zealand. Sharing their inspiration, Nick said: “We felt that by smuggling whisky on these epic swims, we might be able to lean into the passion of whisky fans everywhere. There is a big story about the

Brothers Alex and Nick Ravenhall swam through a treacherous strait with bottles of whisky strapped to their bodies