Royal Salute Whisky
The Royal Salute is a gold standard amongst luxury whiskies. This impressive blend celebrates each and every significant event in the lives of the British Monarchy. Royal Salute’s unique royal connection and enduring commitment to quality and tradition are what make it stand out from other whiskies.
Royal Salute history and heritage
Born in the hills of Speyside, the Royal Salute’s heart and soul firmly lies in the royal connection between Scotland and England.
The original Royal Salute was crafted as a gift for Queen Elizabeth II following her coronation. As a nod to the 21-gun salute, the blend was made from a mixture of rare and exceptional Scotch whiskies aged for a minimum of 21 years, resulting in a remarkably rich and elegant profile that embodies the opulence and sophistication of the royal lifestyle.
Since then, the Royal Salute’s Speyside distillery has continued to produce exceptionally indulgent Scotches to mark every special occasion and event in the British Monarchy’s life. It remains the only whisky portfolio in the world to exclusively produce Scotch whiskies at a minimum of 21 years, honouring the legacy of the coronation while also guaranteeing unmatched quality.
Fun fact: In September 2011, Royal Salute launched the “Tribute to Honour”, the world’s rarest and most expensive line of Scotch whisky, priced at $200,000 (RM900,400) per bottle, excluding taxes. Only 21 bottles were made, with one being retained for the Royal Salute collection at Strathisla, leaving only 20 available for purchase.
Is the Royal Salute the same as Chivas?
Yes, the Royal Salute is produced by the Chivas Brothers company, the producers of the famed Chivas Regal.
What type of whisky is Royal Salute?
Royal Salute is a blended Scotch whisky; this means it is made in Scotland and aged for at least three years in oak barrels that have been used before.
Is Royal Salute a blend?
Yes, the Royal Salute is made by mixing together a mix of malt and grain Scotches distilled at multiple distilleries.
Royal Salute labels
Check out this range of luxurious Royal Salute blended Scotch whiskies:
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend: The original Signature Blend was released in 1953 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Blended from a mixture of rare whiskies aged for at least 21 years to guarantee exceptional quality.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Blended Malt: The Malts Blend is blended from over 21 precious single malts, each matured for a minimum of 21 years. The result is an indulgent Scotch brimming with notes of orchard fruits and spicy undertones.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Blended Grain: The Blended Grain is masterfully crafted from the finest grain whiskies, each aged for a minimum of 21 years. It is then aged in American oak casks, bringing a remarkably sweet, smooth finish to the blend.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Richard Quinn Roses Edition II: This exceptional 21-Year-Old blend was co-created by Richard Quinn and Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop during an experimental blending session in the Strathisla Distillery. Hand-selecting a range of the finest Scotch whiskies from Braeval, Strathisla and Caperdonich distilleries, together Richard and Sandy crafted a rich, fruity whisky with hints of spice and soft smoke.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Jodhpur Polo Edition: This limited edition release is a tribute to the spirit of polo, a sport synonymous with nobility, prestige, and grace. It represents a fusion of two timeless traditions, whisky and polo, celebrating their shared heritage and the pursuit of excellence.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Snow Polo Edition: The Snow Polo Edition is the third in the series and draws inspiration from the grandeur and style of the sport. The snow-white bottle brings to mind the breathtaking snowcapped mountains where this beloved sport takes place.
- Royal Salute 21-Year-Old The Polo Estancia Edition: The fourth release in the annual Royal Salute Polo Collection, The Polo Estancia pays tribute to one of the most emblematic polo locations and home of the sport, Argentina.
- Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key To The Kingdom: The Key To The Kingdom bucks the trend by using a selection of rare whiskies aged for a minimum of 30 years. This exceptional expression represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and tradition, offering a deep and complex character that reflects the rich heritage of Royal Salute.
- Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute: Housed in a magnificent sapphire blue decanter reminiscent of the Stuart Sapphire in the Crown Jewels, this blend is named after the Tower of London’s 62 cannon salute, reserved only for the most special Royal anniversaries. The 62 Gun Salute represents the ultimate in the portfolio’s legacy of excellence.
- Royal Salute 29-Year-Old Pedro Ximenez: Finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Spain, this edition pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth ll’s first official visit to Spain in 1988, where she ushered in a new era of friendship between the United Kingdom and Spain.
Check out more luxury blends from Chivas Regal.
What does Royal Salute taste like?
Each blend of Royal Salute has a unique taste, each containing its own brand of eloquence and sophistication.
Tasting Notes
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend
The aroma of sweet pears and citrus fruits is balanced with the full fragrance of summer flowers. The palate contains sweet orange marmalade flavours the finish is long, sweet and fruity.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Blended Malt
The Malts Blend’s bouquet is a melody of ripe soft fruits, namely pears, sweet peaches, mandarin oranges, blackcurrant jam and sweet violets. This is echoed in the super sweet palate, with apricots, creamy vanilla and banana crème brulee all rounded off with a touch of spicy clove-boiled sweets. The aftertaste is long, sweet and tangy.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Blended Grain
The Blended Grain invites the nose with a symphony of scents ranging from sweet notes of dried fruits, such as figs and sultanas, to more nuanced aromas of nuts, oak, and a hint of floral notes. The palate is a harmonious blend of flavours, ranging from sweet notes of honey and vanilla to deeper tones of chocolate and spices, with the grain elements bringing a sense of creaminess. The finish is warm and long-lasting, with remarkable smoothness and depth that pays homage to its extended maturation period.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Richard Quinn Roses Edition II
The Roses edition carries aromas of red apple, creme brulee and rosehip on the nose, leading to notes of ginger, apricot and mango on the palate. The finish is rich and long, with enduring floral sweetness.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Jodhpur Polo Edition
The tropical fruit aroma brings to mind juicy mango, pomegranate and coconut, complimented by butterscotch, vanilla custard, and homemade apricot and ginger jam. The Jodhpur Polo is rich and spicy on the palate, with notes of dark chocolate, rich caramel and thick set honey overlaid with warming cinnamon, cloves and ginger spice. The lingering finish echoes this richness and spice.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Snow Polo Edition
The Snow Polo’s bouquet bursts with sweet flavours of creamy toffee, soft peaches and juicy raspberries intermingled with creamy vanilla ice cream, all reminiscent of an indulgent peach melba. Its palate is sweet and smooth, layered with flavours of clear blossom honey, orange marmalade, and a touch of toasted hazelnuts. The finish is balanced and sweet.
Royal Salute 21-Year-Old The Polo Estancia Edition
The Polo Estancia’s bouquet treats the nose with a rich and fruity aroma, overlaid with notes of raspberries and blackberries, reminiscent of a luxurious berry compote with a hint of sweet liquorice. It evolves into a rich and sweet palate with wonderful spicy cinnamon notes followed by plum jam and indulgent dark chocolate ginger sweets. It ends on a long and sweet finish with a slightly dry crescendo.
Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key To The Kingdom
The nose contains rich and layered aromas of ripe fruits, including plum and apricot, with hints of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and subtle spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A touch of oak and vanilla adds depth. The Key To The Kingdom’s palate is smooth and full-bodied, with flavours of dried fruit, honey, and caramel, complemented by gentle spices and dark chocolate. It ends on a long and luxurious finish, with lingering notes of sweet fruit, spice, and a hint of smoky oak, leaving a warm and satisfying aftertaste.
Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute
The nose exudes an extremely rich aroma with fruit notes and ripe plums combined with a complex essence of sherried sweetness, in addition to notes of fine dark chocolate with hints of warm cinnamon. The palate explodes with an intense sweet orange that mingles with s superb depth of nutty and oaky flavour. It ends on an impressively long finish and lingers luxuriously with superlative structure.
Royal Salute 29-Year-Old Pedro Ximenez
This edition is aromatic and spicy on the nose with notes of sandalwood, juicy orange, liquorice and plump sultanas. Its palate is full and sweet, perfectly complementing the nose with flavours of ripe plums in honey syrup intermingled with treacle toffees and luxurious chocolate-coated almonds. The finish is long, sweet and tantalisingly spicy.
Is Royal Salute a good whisky?
Yes. The award-winning Royal Salute is the very pinnacle of luxury whiskies. Possessing a very powerful and sophisticated style, it is widely regarded as one of the best Scotch whiskies in the world by both collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Food pairings
Here are five simple yet effective food pairings to enhance your Royal Salute tasting:
- Dark chocolate: The bittersweet flavour of high-quality dark chocolate (containing around 70% cocoa solids) brings out the sweet, dry oak notes of Royal Salute’s 21-Year-Old Signature Blend.
- Strawberries: The sweet yet tangy strawberry complements the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend’s delicate notes of vanilla and clove spice
- Almonds: Roasted almonds have a robust character and confine most of their sweetness to the finish. This makes them excellent accompaniments to peaty whiskies like the 21-Year-Old Lost Blend.
- Ginger biscuits: Ginger is a natural flavour enhancer, complementing the complex flavours found in Scotch whisky. Pair delicate ginger biscuits with the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Blended Malt to fully savour the warming, spicy notes of clove and banana crème brûlée.
- Mature Cheddar: A well-aged cheddar works magnificently with the 21-Year-Old Signature Blend. The fruity, woody character of the cheese pairs wonderfully with the floral sweetness of Royal Salute.
How to drink Royal Salute?
Royal Salute is best enjoyed the way you drink all luxury whiskies:
- Neat: Recommended for beginners, this simply involves pouring your Royal Salute into a glass at room temperature. Sipping it slowly will help you appreciate the subtler flavours.
- On the rocks: For those who prefer a less intense taste experience, consider pouring or stirring your Royal Salute Scotch over ice. The slowly melting water and chilliness will even enhance certain flavours.
- With a splash of water: Adding a few drops of water to your Royal Salute whisky can expand its flavours and aromas, making them more pronounced.
- Mixed into a cocktail: Create a truly regal cocktail with Royal Salute! Follow a recipe or concoct your own unique mix for any occasion.
A history in every dram of Royal Salute
Buy a bottle of Royal Salute Scotch whisky from Whisky.my and prepare to indulge in the flavours of British history and heritage. You’ll find the most affordable Royal Salute price in Malaysia in this wide selection. Share the ultimate taste of royalty with your friends and family, or just enjoy a dram for yourself today!