Royal Salute 21 Year The Signature Blend

This is the most basic offering from the Royal Salute line, a blended whiskey with a minimum 21-year age statement. It's the only brand of blended whiskies where the least expensive option has undergone at least 21 years of maturation. The creation of Royal Salute dates back to June 2, 1953, commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The name is a reference to the 21-cannon salute, a military honor used for royal family events. For context, smaller cannon salutes are reserved for military officials or government members. Royal Salute is presented in bottles of three colors: red, green, and blue, symbolizing the ruby, emerald, and sapphire jewels of the British crown, respectively. This distinction is evident on the packaging, which names the honored stone. The contents remain unchanged across these bottle colors and their accompanying velvet pouches. For those wondering, the brown bottle signifies an older, discontinued version. Regarding the blend, Royal Salute 21 years old incorporates single malts from well-regarded distilleries. As a premium luxury brand under the Pernod Ricard umbrella, Royal Salute has access to some of Scotland's finest casks from celebrated distilleries, including Strathisla. As a blended whiskey with a declared 21-year age, all constituent whiskies, both single malts and grain whiskies, must have been matured for at least the age stated on the label to be included in the blend. The average cost for Royal Salute 21 years is approximately USD 150. This is certainly not inexpensive, particularly for a blended whiskey. A portion of this cost is attributed to the luxurious presentation, featuring a striking porcelain bottle crafted by the British company Wade, and the velvet pouch it comes in. However, the liquid within is also exceptional. Royal Salute 21 was conceived with the goals of harmony, smoothness, and balance, and unlike some celebrations, the whiskey achieves these aims. Therefore, do not anticipate overpowering flavors or a dominant characteristic. Royal Salute 21 years aims for broad appeal, meaning it's a blend designed to be easily enjoyed by everyone, even those new to whiskey. And if you're already done with your holiday shopping, consider purchasing a Royal Salute 21 year old anyway. Reward your foresight. Indulge yourself. ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEARS OLD Classification: Blended Whiskey with specified age – 21 years Brand: Royal Salute Origin: Not specified Alcohol by Volume: 40% Evaluation: Aroma: Possesses floral and fruity characteristics. No evidence of smoke. Palate: Sweet, with notes of honey, dried fruits, and fresh fruits. Very mild spice. Any smokiness from the constituent malts is undetectable in the final product. With Water: Diluting with water diminishes the already subtle peppery notes and other flavors. It is recommended to consume this spirit neat. Estimated Cost: roughly USD 150 RESOURCE: Cão Engarrafado (Brazil).

Nose - sweet apple, faint honey notes Palate - a light taste but not much distinct flavor, very smooth, it's as if the blending has subdued the tastes Finish - arrives in two stages, first on the tongue then fills the nasal passages, smooth with little to no burn Rating - 3.5, tasted alongside Glenmorangie Signet, this might have affected the score but honestly, it was unremarkable. The nose is the highlight; the palate and finish were underwhelming. Rating Scale 5.0 - Outstanding, unparalleled 4.5 - Excellent, I'd always keep a bottle on hand if possible 4.0 - Very good, enjoyable to drink, a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would try again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable 2.0 - Inferior, drinkable but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—would not drink again unless absolutely necessary

Absolutely the best whisky I've ever had. It's significantly superior to Johnnie Walker XR. The aroma is dominated by vanilla, accompanied by hints of smoke, cotton, and perhaps a touch of chocolate or coffee. The nose is quite sweet. The initial taste is sweet, presenting a complex profile with notes of caramel and possibly apple, which rapidly shifts to a intensely spicy yet intricate flavor. I've never encountered a whisky that is simultaneously spicy and sweet; they coexist rather than follow one another. The finish is extended and fulfilling, concluding with a fresh sensation where the spice lingers subtly in the background. A magnificent whisky, undoubtedly my top pick to date. I've never awarded a perfect score to a Scotch before; this one earns it.

Served neat in a lowball glass. Smells sweet like apples, almost like brandy. Has a very subtle smoke. The taste is a bit subdued but still incredibly smooth. There's no warmth on the tongue, but my chest feels warm. Rating - 3.75

This Royal Salute 21 has a caramel color. Prune-like, salty, smoky leather notes, orange without citrus tang, chocolate, coconut butter, marzipan. Sweetness is dominant. On the palate, nutty, salty, chocolatey. It's easy to drink, balancing sweetness and bitterness. Medium finish, bitter, with chocolate and salt prevailing.

It's a very welcoming and accessible spirit, even for those not accustomed to scotch. While not distinctive, it's very rich, buttery, smooth, with a faint aftertaste. Considering the price, I might prefer something more unique, but it's still a personal favorite.