Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union Of The Crowns

Royal Salute was launched in 1953 with a 21 year old blend commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Since then, the brand has periodically released bottlings to honor Her Majesty (such as 2013’s Diamond Tribute, celebrating her 60th anniversary as monarch) and Britain in general (62-Gun Salute, for example, honors the Tower of London). Union of The […]

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Royal Salute was launched in 1953 with a 21 year old blend commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Since then, the brand has periodically released bottlings to honor Her Majesty (such as 2013’s Diamond Tribute, celebrating her 60th anniversary as monarch) and Britain in general (62-Gun Salute, for example, honors the Tower of London). Union of The Crowns ($380), the brand’s new duty free-exclusive offering, commemorates the creation of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Ireland) in 1603 by King James VI. The blend of whiskies, all aged at least 32 years, includes two from “ghost” distilleries that are now mothballed, Lochside and Caperdonich. The result is rich and luscious, a veritable dessert in a glass, with notes of dark chocolate and caramel intertwined with dark fruits and orange peel. In typical Royal Salute fashion, the bottle is as ornate as the whisky. The porcelain flagon is embossed with a silver plaque, while the topper is a silver crown with embedded black stone. It’s a conversation piece inside and out.