Shackleton Whisky hosted the latest iteration of the Shackleton Whisky Speaker Series, a monthly talk featuring an in-depth look at creatives and their life’s greatest adventures. This time the series’ placed the spotlight on actor Vincent  D’Onofrio at the Arlo NoMad in New York City.

Co-hosted by writer and adventure enthusiast Charles Thorp, D’Onofrio spoke about his recently released film, The Kid (co-starring Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke) and upcoming television series, Godfather of Harlem (co-starring Forest Whitaker and coming to Epix this April). He shared anecdotes going all the way back to the start of his career – when he worked in New York City bars alongside a then also unknown Bruce Willis – until he booked his first film under director Stanley Kubrick.

A native New Yorker and Emmy Award nominee, D’Onofrio is well known for his work on “Daredevil,” as well as a long list of impressive film and television credits including “Men in Black,” “Jurassic World,” “Full Metal Jacket,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and more.

The Shackleton Whisky Speaker Series at Arlo Hotels is an extension of the brand’s partnership with the hotel group.

During the event we enjoyed a variety of Shackleton cocktails. One in particular combined the outstanding whisky with the latest technology as guests could place their smartphone over the cocktail, open the Shazam app, and have all the brand’s history immediately appear on the phone’s screen in real time.

As the story goes, Sir Ernest Shackleton took cases of Mackinlay’s Old Rare on his 1907 expedition to the British Antarctic. He later had to abandon the ship to save himself and his crew. That same whisky was found trapped under the ice 100 years later and recreated to become Shackleton Whisky. Named after one of the 20th century’s most charismatic leaders, Shackleton Whisky embodies the spirit of a legend.

Here’s a classic Shackleton cocktail to try at home:

The Endurance
The Endurance takes it’s name from the expedition, and boat of the same name, that Sir Ernest used to navigate the icy, Antarctic waters in the early 1900s. They were some of the most difficult and dangerous seas to cross, and demanded determination, bravery, and most of all — endurance — from Sir Ernest and his fellow adventurers to make it home alive.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz (40ml) Shackleton Blended Malt Whisky

1/2 oz (15ml) Manzanilla sherry

1/2 tbsp (10ml) Creme de cassis

Juice from half a lime

1/2 tbsp (10ml) sugar syrup, or half a tablespoon of honey

Method

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, and pour into a tall glass, over ice.

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, pour all ingredients into a large glass and stir with a long spoon, then add a good handful of ice.

Top with soda and garnish with a raspberry, orange slice and mint sprig.