The biscuit that time forgot

There are many ways to thank a Taxi Charity volunteer driver for their hard work, but veteran Tom Weatherall clearly decided that Dean Euesden deserved something rather special.

Knowing that Dean is partial to a whisky, Tom presented him with a Marks & Spencer gift set during the Taxi Charity’s recent trip to the Netherlands for the anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

The set contained a flask, a bottle of Special Reserve Kenmore blended Scotch whisky and a packet of all-butter Scottish shortbread rounds.

There was just one small problem.

The biscuits had a best-before date of 25 March 2014.

Yes, 2014.

The discovery caused enormous amusement among the group, with the biscuits arguably becoming one of the most talked-about souvenirs of the trip. Dean, clearly impressed by their remarkable longevity, decided that Marks & Spencer should know about its particularly durable shortbread.

Taking to X, he posted:

“12 years out of date but still look perfect. It’s not just a biscuit, it’s a 12 year old still edible biscuit.”

Marks & Spencer was quick to respond, and its reply was almost as good as the gift itself:

“That’s not a biscuit anymore, it’s a historical artefact! 12 years out of date and still standing strong!”

The response had everyone laughing – and we suspect the humble shortbread rounds may now have achieved veteran status of their own.

As for Dean, we understand the whisky was considerably younger than the biscuits. And probably safer to drink.