An ultra-rare Scotch from Royal Salute marks a generational milestone in British royalty

An era of modern monarchy will emerge on May 6, 2023, when King Charles III is crowned as the official King and Head of Commonwealth at Westminster Abbey in London. The coronation will be welcomed by a host of celebratory events, including national street parties and a coronation concert held at Windsor Castle. These traditional festivities are joined by royal enthusiasts marking the occasion with commemorative wares – a legacy that the blended Scotch whisky experts at Royal Salute fully embrace.

Ever since its inception as a gift for Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation in 1953, a new edition of the blended whisky has often accompanied a remarkable royal event, such as the Royal Salute Platinum Jubilee Edition and 50 Year Old Coronation Cask.

Last year, King Charles III became the first king to ascend the throne in almost a century – the last being King George VI in 1936. To mark this royal lineage, Royal Salute has crafted a precious blend comprising over 53 rare Scotch whiskies – a nod to the first bottle’s year. 

“The Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition is indeed a very special moment for Royal Salute as it pays tribute not only to His Majesty King Charles III but to Royal Salute’s unique heritage. This is a momentous milestone, which is really only witnessed once in a lifetime,” said Royal Salute’s ambassador Torquhil Campbell – the 13th Duke of Argyll.

“All the malts and grain whiskies used to make this complex blend have been aged for a minimum of 21 years, as is signature to Royal Salute’s house style, and the blend was finished for over two years in a first-fill Oloroso sherry cask.”

From this elaborate process emerges a rich and complex profile. First, a trace of fresh redcurrants and dark chocolate praline, dancing with roasted chestnuts. Then, the palate unfolds with sweet figs and warm ginger, balanced by poached pears, toffee and hazelnut chocolate. The finish is a lively play of spices, and the effect is what Campbell describes as “a prestigious blend for a prestigious moment in time, with a long and rich finish”.

To arrive at this luxurious sip, Royal Salute’s master blender Sandy Hyslop drew inspiration from the deep-rooted heritage of both crown and company. “This expression is a momentous tribute to both the British monarchy and our origin story,” said Hyslop. “Crafting this blend has been the perfect occasion to reflect on the innovative approach we’ve taken to blending whisky for the past 70 years, and a moment to look forward to what can be achieved in years to come.”

HOUSING A KINGDOM

The Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition details a story of heritage with elaborate storytelling in its design, from bottle to box.

The whisky is housed in an individually numbered Dartington Crystal decanter tinted a deep sapphire blue, reminiscent of the precious stones set within the Imperial State Crown.

As with Royal Salute’s tradition, the decanter is presented in a bespoke box, this time a wooden one etched with intricate details inspired by the iconic Westminster Abbey – the historic setting for British coronation ceremonies since 1066.

Owners of the expression will also enjoy the delicate artwork inside the box– a clever weave of jewels and crests from the countries forming Great Britain, symbolising the unity under the crown and the enduring solidarity among the nations.

Campbell added: “Since 1953, Royal Salute has continued the tradition of marking significant events in the lives of the British royal family and the Coronation of King Charles III Edition is an exceptional example of the level of craft and detail that goes into the release of each expression. Marrying bespoke designs with a rich and deep-flavoured blend, all are luxurious traits that epitomise the height of sophistication and luxury that Royal Salute is renowned for and will continue to maintain for decades to come.”

A whisky of this calibre is meant to be savoured with intent, so who better to ask than Campbell himself?

“I like to enjoy my whisky neat or with a little bit of water. I really enjoy the rich flavours of a blended whisky, so I try not to alter with it too much,” he shared. “However, there really is no one right way to appreciate whisky – at end of the day, your enjoyment is most important!”

The Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition is available in limited quantities at selected specialist retailers for US$25,000 (S$33,300). For more information, visit royalsalute.com or follow @royalsalute on social media.