You’ve made it to the oldest operating distillery in Speyside, Scotland’s most concentrated area of distilleries. It is the only one that has officially resided in three different whisky regions—without ever moving an inch. Thanks to how these regions were defined and redefined over the years, Strathisla first belonged to the Lowlands, then the Highlands, and now the protected locality of Speyside. You may or may not be a whisky aficionado, but you can surely leave a happy camper. Take it from someone who’s just been; this is how to behave as a guest at the home of Royal Salute.
It’s tempting with its postcard-perfect twin pagodas and classic stone façades. Against a backdrop of autumn colours and a narrow chimney steaming away, it’s a sepia-toned dream of an old school distillery. Tourists often stop by for a quick snap with the architectural landmark even if they don’t step in. Well, don’t. You’re here for liquid gold and knowledge, not social media validation.
You can possibly deduce that the “Isla” embedded in the distillery’s name takes after the river wending beside it, but you probably won’t know that “Strath” refers to valleys with gentle sloping hills (as opposed to a mountainous type of valley; the more familiar “Glen”).
The red, over half-century-old Porteus mill kicks off the tour by grinding barley with an agricultural racket. Words are redundant here, unless listed on a blackboard. Chalk scribbles under “Grist Analysis” simply point to the resulting texture: Course, middle, or fine.
The frothing vat of sweet wort may look and sound like a Tolkien potion, but you don’t want to fall in—it’s bad for the whisky. Besides, that yeasty tang will hit your nose just fine from a safe distance. It starts off smelling a bit like bread, then kombucha on steroids.
There is something heartening about seeing handwriting on a hazy cloud of wiped chalk in an age of digital screens and automation. The human touch signaling a choice to rely on the fallible is yet more fascinating when considering the sheer volume and necessity for accuracy. Here, they inscribe the temperatures of water added, over four phases to prevent damaging the barley or deactivating the enzymes.
Its pristine waters aren’t the ones used to transform the liquor. Instead, originating from the distillery-exclusive Broomhill Spring a mile away, for its natural granite-filtered purity. Framed by Fall foliage though, it’s another admittedly picturesque spot.
The path from 10 giant wooden washbacks to four gleaming copper stills is not a straightforward one. You wind in and out of the building; pass fluorescent lights and metal railings, overhead valves and crossing pipes. It helps to know that the contrast of traditional materials and advanced equipment is all to ensure steady fermentation amid seasonal fluctuations.
Everything plays an integral role. Why is the liquid called a wash at this stage? How do the famously short necks of the stills contribute to achieving fuller bodied flavours? What yield is collected to fill the casks for the final step of maturation? Why is it so damn hot in here?
Arguably the most exciting part to enter, the warehouse is in every way like a treasury. It’s dark, cool, and where reserves are kept beyond decades. Row upon row of barrels sit silently, maturing in stoic contemplation; identical to the naked eye save for certain markings in white military font.
The truly exclusive blends are behind padlock and key. Royal Salute was first created in 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The oldest Royal Salute Cask of the five set aside here anticipates the next Coronation, beginning its journey as early as 1962. Think about that—whisky that’s been waiting longer than most marriages last.
The slim tube is a clever little contraption used by workers of yore to smuggle a sip. No longer than a forearm, the sly tool may not look like it siphons much, but pours more than 10 drams in one sneaky go. Resist the urge to stockpile the sample; that’s what the gift shop is for.
Between the warm glow of the stills, the chatter of milling machinery, and the almost mystical calm of the warehouse, it’s easy to get swept up in the process. Pause, take a deep inhale, and appreciate what’s happening around you. You’re not just touring a distillery—you’re stepping into a centuries-old keeper of craft, patience, and passion.
The label synonymous for its association with the British Royal Family and mastery in blending, comes its first-ever cognac cask-finished whisky—aged at 24 years. Adding to the exclusivity of this expression, the Royal Salute 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish is only available in Asia.
Royal Salute’s legacy dates back to 1953, named after the 21-gun salute that marked Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Based at Strathisla, Scotland’s oldest continuously operating distillery, the brand honours its roots by producing whiskies aged a minimum of 21 years, with a commitment to crafting bold, innovative expressions that blend regal grandeur with modern sophistication.
For the brand's "Enter A New Kingdom: Redefining Wonders" campaign, the 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish was overseen by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. To achieve the notes designed to appeal to Asian palates, Hyslop sourced for the finest first-fill French oak casks—a first for Royal Salute after their recent firsts with the 26-Year-Old Amarone Wine Cask Finish and 21-Year-Old Miami Polo Edition, first-fill bourbon and first-fill rye casks whisky respectively.
Then single malts from Strathisla and Longmorn were selected for the aging stage. After 24 years of maturation, the whisky gains a golden-copper hue; on the nose, one can pick up hints of dark cherries and toasted oak, followed by a saccharine mix of marzipan, caramelised figs and syrupy peaches. Each sip reveals a complex profile of summer berry compote, apricot jam and creamy caramel before it ends with a ghost of nutmeg for that long, rich finish.
To further appeal to the Asian market, Royal Salute's 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish is encased in a limited-edition red flagon—red being the operative hue that symbolises success and prosperity. Within the packaging, you can find the journey from the Strathisla distillery to the Tower of London that culminates in an Asian-inspired garden. Animals fill the landscape—lions, pandas, cranes—and details like peonies and chrysanthemums are auspicious signs, which add a touch of elegance for collectors.
The Royal Salute 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish retails for SGD350 and is available at select retailers like FairPrice Finest (Clarke Quay and Centrepoint), F&B establishments, including Paradise Group outlets and HighHouse, online channels such as Pernod Ricard's Shopee and Lazada stores, as well as on Pernod Ricard's VIP platform, Le Cercle.
So Royal Salute just unveiled the latest in its iconic Polo Edition lineup. The sixth in the specialised collection and the third of significant Polo destinations to be exact, but who’s counting? True to your consumer-honed tendencies, you’d only be curious about at least one of two things: how the honey-golden liquor tastes, and what its vessel looks like.
Except those criteria could easily be ascribed to many aged whiskies. Since I have been bestowed the encounter of a lifetime to understand the brand at the official unveiling in Palm Beach Miami, it’s practically a life mission now to change your common stance.
What carves Royal Salute a distinct position is its ties to the royal family. As a dedication to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, the crafted blend embarks on its journey from where others often culminate—at a 21-year mark, in tandem with the 21-gun salute.
To give further insight on how the polo bit comes into play, imagine; what better union for a queen’s whisky than what’s been nicknamed the sport of kings. Admittedly from a 21st-century perspective, the overlap in the target market just makes perfect sense.
This 15-year partnership began when former England Polo Captain Malcolm Borwick was appointed as brand ambassador. Even if not privy to the Polo that runs in his blood through generations, or equestrian fondness in his entrepreneurial ventures, anyone can see the passion with which he conducts the polo clinics.
“It’s fun seeing people’s reactions to Polo because very often it’s much harder than what they perceive it to be,” says Borwick in a quick chat, “By the end of the lesson, they look at it with a completely [different] set of eyes. I get a real thrill when they have this newfound appreciation watching the games after.”
He finds a direct beneficiary (and potential prodigy because I’m delusional) in me. I don’t shy from athleticism, and I’ve never thought of the sport as an easy one. Yet after mounting a humbling, stationary wooden mare swinging about a shorter mallet, it truly makes you consider the level of coordination required to hit the ball whilst maintaining an upright posture, on top of directing an animal going 45 miles per hour.
For the launch, the leading professional exhibited his six-goal handicap skills (you work your way up to the highest at 10) for the ‘Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Support of Sentebale’. The charity is notably co-founded by Prince Harry, who also took to the field against fellow greats like Nacho Figueras that evening.
At Wellington’s Grand Champions Polo Club, you witness the modern polo haven that is Miami. It is host to Beach Polo World Cup and after all, where Borwivck spent a good eight years of his life.
“Polo is the sum of all sports to me. It’s teammates, it’s riding horses, it’s beautiful locations, it’s international,” he enthuses, “You can play alongside men and women, the most competitive players or non-professionals, in a team.”
The most youthful of the lot in a striking pink flagon, the visuals of the newest release really bring out the city’s character in a box illustrated with that famous art-deco architecture. To answer your other question: vanilla and coconut notes and a light spiced finish resonate the essence of summer.
I’d like to think the whisky captures how sunset feels on the skin; a toasty glow you bask in. Solely because it goes down warm and lingers warm, much warmer than the other Royal Salute editions as I’m told by guests who can draw the comparison. This is possibly due to a rye cask finish, which is not always the conventional treatment, but one quite so complementary for this combination.
“I enjoy the product, and I love that there can be a relationship between the whisky and this incredible sport that I believe is symbiotic,” Borwick reflects, “We’re extremely lucky to be associated for such a long period of time, and a big ethos of what we’re trying to do is embracing experience. People don’t collect things any more; they collect experiences that are unique; and we love to be able to provide them that in great company as a community.”
In Strathisla Distillery's hallowed halls, where time seems to hold its breath, whisky matures into its divine form. Royal Salute, once more, joined forces with the luminary of British fashion, Richard Quinn, for a series that looks pretty enough to wear: the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II.
For its second consecutive year, Royal Salute expanded its Fashion Collection. Together with Quinn, the limited edition bottles are more than just a whisky; they are testaments to the union of fashion design and expert Scotch whisky blending.
In the historic Strathisla Distillery, where the most precious Royal Salute whiskies are vaunted, Royal Salute Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, and Quinn embarked on a creative odyssey. Through meticulous testing and artistic development, they birthed a blend that resonates with depth, maturity, and the essence of their growing relationship.
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II is a fusion of the finest hand-selected Scotch whiskies. This includes gems from Braeval, Strathisla and Caperdonich. Aged for a minimum of 21 years, this yielded rich fruity notes dancing in harmony with hints of spice and gentle smoky traits.
But this edition isn't only about the palate, it's a visual delight too. Encased in Royal Salute’s iconic flagon, it becomes a canvas for Quinn’s artistic brilliance. Adorned with three striking designs, each is a testament to Quinn’s bold style and love for contrasting patterns. The flagon becomes a work of art in itself. One design features rose petals and white polka dots against a dramatic black backdrop. Another showcases a striking white daisy against a forest-green canvas.
The third is special—it is an exclusive Global Travel Retail that you can find only at airports. This edition bursts forth with vibrant purples, yellows and greens, all set against a pristine white background.
“Crafting outstanding Scotch is an art, a passion and Sandy Hyslop does it with incredible finesse," Quinn said effusively. "Our creative journey at Strathisla Distillery was awe-inspiring. We brought clear visions to the table and seeing these visions collide, merge, and evolve into the finished edition was a thrill. Extending this collaboration was a no-brainer; the idea that our effort will find its way into the hands of craft appreciators worldwide is immensely gratifying.”
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II retails for SG$340. They are available at select luxury retailers worldwide; the Floral Edition is only available at the airports.