Royal Salute Whisky
Royal Salute is a Scotch whisky by the iconic Chivas Brothers. Calling the Strathisla Distillery home, the Chivas Royal Salute 21 was launched on 2 June 1953 in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation, hence the ‘Royal’. As for the ‘Salute’, it refers to the traditional 21-gun salute.
The Royal Salute 21 is aged for, as you can guess, 21 years! After its launch and commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the brand launched a 50 year old in 2002 as well to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and the 100 Cast Selection in 2004. Besides that, a series of 21 bottles that were decorated by jewellers Garrad was launched. Each significant event in the lives of the British Monarchy called for a unique blend by Royal Salute.
At her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II’s crown was set in rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Taking inspiration from her crown, Chivas Brothers came up with three versions of the Royal Salute 21 to put into beautiful handcrafted flagons, namely the Sapphire Flagon Old Bottle, the Emerald Flagon and Royal Salute 21 Years Old Ruby Flagon. Throughout the years, different brand expressions of the Royal Salute have been produced, including:
- Royal Salute 21 - This is a blend of whiskies that have been matured for at least 21 years. Bottled in porcelain flagons that have been produced by Wade porcelain, the Royal Salute 21 year incorporates the image of Robert the Bruce. The bottle also bears the Gaelic motto “fidelity, stability since 1801”.
- Chivas Royal Salute 38 year old Stone of Destiny - Launched in 2005, this is a blend of whisky that has been aged for a minimum of 38 years.
- Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute - This is a blend of whiskies by each of the four Master Blenders since the brand was created in 1953. The blends have been passed down to the current day. All the blends in the Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute are aged for at least 40 years. This was launched in 2010.
- Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee - This is another 21 year old Royal Salute blend created to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.