| Type | Scotch whisky |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chivas Brothers |
| Country of origin | Scotland |
| Introduced | 1953 |
| Proof | 80 |
| Variants | 21 Year Old, 100 Cask, 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny |
| Related products | Chivas Regal |
Royal Salute is a Scotch whisky produced by Chivas Brothers, founded in 1801 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Royal Salute brand's home is Strathisla Distillery at Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland.
Royal Salute is a leading prestige Scotch whisky, launched on the 2nd June in 1953 by Chivas Brothers in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation. Names after the traditional 21 Gun Salute, all Royal Salute whiskies are aged for a minimum of 21 years, which allows the whisky to develop a rich and complex flavour.
Royal Salute whiskies are typically priced at between $200 and $900. The brand is sold primarily in Asia, Russia, Middle East, South America, and International Duty Free.
Stocks of Royal Salute are limited due to the age of whiskies. For each year of aging of Scotch whisky, 2% of the whisky evaporates. This process is known as the "angel's share".
The Duke of Argyll holds the role of Brand Ambassador for Royal Salute.
Contents |
*Royal Salute 21 Year Old: Blended from whiskies matured for at least 21 years. Tasting notes: Full bodied, deep sweet fruit and nut flavours with a smooth dry smokiness.[1]
The whisky is bottled in porcelain flagons, produced by Wade porcelain, incorporating the image of Robert the Bruce and bearing a Gaelic motto which translates as ‘fidelity, stability since 1801’.[2]
*Royal Salute 100 Cask: Blended in small batches of 100 casks, using aged whiskies. Tasting notes: Long-lasting, fruity sweetness leading to a mellow, smoky oakiness.[3]
*Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny: Blended from whiskies aged for at least 38 years. Tasting notes: , Rich notes of cedar wood and almond, with a sherried oakiness. Dried fruits linger with spiciness in the finish.[4] Priced at around $900.
*Royal Salute 50 Year Old: Blended from whiskies aged for at least 50 years. Limited edition released in 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, priced at $30,000.[5]
*Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute: Blended from whiskies selected by each of the four Master Blenders since the brand's creation in 1953, and passed down to the current day. Aged for at least 40 years. Tasting notes: Ripe plums, dark chocolate, cinnamon, sweet Seville orange. [6] Priced at around $2,800.
1640: The House of Schivas, a large mansion, is built at Schivas in Aberdeenshire. The name is derived from the Gaelic 'seamhas', meaning narrow place. For centuries, people nearby took the name of Chivas.
1801: Chivas Brothers traces its roots to the opening of a grocery store in Aberdeen. The store sold luxury foodstuffs such as coffee, exotic spices, French brandies, and Caribbean rums to a wealthy clientele. Chivas Brothers started to produce a smooth blended whisky as an alternative to the whiskies available at that time, which were often harsh and poorly matured.
1843: Chivas Brothers were granted a Royal Warrant to supply goods to Queen Victoria. Chivas Brothers was described in 1890 as 'undoubtedly the finest purveying business in the north of Scotland' by 'Scotland of Today' magazine.
1909: Chivas Brothers launch Chivas Regal.
1953: Chivas Brothers launch Royal Salute 21 Year Old, in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation.
2000: Chivas Brothers becomes part of the Pernod Ricard group of companies.
2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old is released as a special edition to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee to mark 50 years on the throne. Each bottle features a hand-engraved 24-carat gold plaque, and was priced at $30,000. The first bottle was presented to Sir Edmund Hillary on the 50th anniversary of his reaching the summit of Mount Everest, with proceeds going to the Himalayan Trust.[7]
2004: Royal Salute 100 Cask Selection is launched.
2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny is launched.
2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute is launched.
2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour, a limited series of 21 bottles created in collaboration with Garrard, the world's oldest jeweller is launched. Each bottle retails at $200,000
The home of Royal Salute and location of its visitor centre is located at the Strathisla distillery. The distillery was founded in 1786,[8] and is the oldest working distillery in the Highlands of Scotland - Strathisla Distillery, located in Speyside.
The Strathisla distillery is owned by Chivas Brothers, and Strathisla Single Malt is one of the malt whiskies used within the Royal Salute blend.
Royal Salute is leading international polo sponsor with tournaments that include -
- Sentebale Polo Cup 2011 in association with Royal Salute, Coworth Park, Ascot, England in aid of the Sentebale charity.
- Foundation Challenge Cup 2011, Santa Barbara Polo Club, California, USA in aid of the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry charity.
- The Royal Salute China Open Polo Tournament, Tang Polo Club, Beijing, China
- The Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Tang Polo Club, Beijing, China
- The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur |Golden Jubilee Cup, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India.
- The Royal Salute Nations Cup, Desert Palm Polo Club, Dubai.[9]
- Triplice Coroa Tournament, Helvetia Polo Club, São Paulo, Brazil
- Copa Ouro, Sao Jose Polo Club, São Paulo, Brazil
- Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney Polo and Country Club, Sydney, Australia
- Bernard Weatherill Cup, Beaufort Polo Club, Tetbury, England
Since 2006, Royal Salute has sponsored the Mark of Respect Awards in South Korea and Vietnam.
Royal Salute television, press, and outdoor advertising is managed by the TBWA agency.
General References: