Blended Scotch Whisky - Royal Salute
Royal Salute 21 Year Old is the world's leading super-premium Scotch whisky first produced in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
History
For many years, James and John Chivas supplied fine whiskies and quality goods to Queen Victoria at Balmoral in the Highlands of Scotland. This special relationship was rewarded with the granting of a Royal Warrant in 1843.
In 1953, Royal Salute was created to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - an gesture of respect from Chivas Brothers to the new sovereign. The name, Royal Salute, was well chosen. It derives from an ancient seafaring practice in the Royal Navy whereby warships passing each other discharge all their cannon as a mark of respect and peaceful intent. The practice evolved into the firing of 21 guns in homage to royalty and heads of state. Royal Salute thus honours a new sovereign, offering a tribute of the ultimate luxury Scotch whisky: a salute not of guns, but of years.
Royal Salute remains a whisky favoured throughout the highest levels of society and government. The brand pioneered the super-premium whisky segment and is still the market leader. Today Royal Salute is the ultimate reward for successful people around the world.
In 2002, Royal Salute was awarded the trophy, the highest accolade, for the best blended whisky, at both the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.
Elaboration
Royal Salute is a perfect marriage of the finest malt and grain whiskies in Scotland, each of which has been individually aged in specially selected oak casks for at least 21 years.
The whiskies that make up Royal Salute are very rare and are taken from a unique inventory of aged malt and grain whiskies owned by Chivas Brothers. The planning for this sumptuous whisky can begin up to 30 years in advance.
When the time is right, individual malt whiskies are taken from their casks and blended together, then transferred back to specially selected oak casks. Individual grain whiskies are also taken from their casks and blended together and transferred back into oak casks. After a further marriage period, the blended malts and the blended grains are brought together to produce Royal Salute. Bringing together these whiskies requires unique skills perfected with the help of generations of master blenders.
Royal Salute 21 Year Old is then lavishly presented in a porcelain flagon. Craftsmen at Wade take four days to embellish each flagon with the Chivas Brothers crest, incorporating the image of Robert the Bruce. The flagon bears a Gaelic motto which translates as 'fidelity stability since 1801'.