From left: The American Oak Reserve, The Original Reserve and The Peated Reserve (Photo: Royal Salute)
Eminent whisky maker Royal Salute has launched its 62 Gun Salute collection, comprising three extraordinary blends meant to represent the supreme expression of honour and celebration. The trio is named for one of the British monarchy’s most exalted forms of tribute: the firing of 62 rounds at 1300 hours, performed only at the birth, ascension or coronation of a sovereign.
These exceptional bottles have been crafted from long-matured maps and grain whiskies, carefully selected by master blender Sandy Hyslop, to form exquisitely complex and balanced results — each embodying a specific aspect of the namesake spectacle. “As the crowning jewel in Royal Salute’s portfolio, the crafting process behind this collection was both lengthy and meticulous until I was absolutely confident we had blends representative of an authentic ceremony,” she shares.
Representing the event’s grandeur and distinction, the Original Reserve is a deeply rich, fruity blend. Its powerful nose of sweet orange, nutty oak and creamy vanilla shifts into ripe plums and chocolate on the palate, which leads to a lingering, luxurious finish.
Meanwhile, The American Oak Reserve speaks to the firearm’s sheer intensity, packing an explosive perfume of vanilla fudge and freshly baked shortbread with jammy fruits, before delighting the tongue with its cornucopia of mango, pineapple and crystallised ginger. Finally, The Peated Reserve reflects the tradition’s smoky, awe-inspiring aftermath through its blend of over 50 precious whiskies, with an opening character of dark cherries, pears and chocolatey honeycomb followed by zesty citrus, stone fruit and sweet peat smoke for a lively and dramatic denouement.
The three treasures are each stored in their own unique decanter finished in the shades of precious stones, namely sapphire blue, ruby red and emerald green respectively. A testament to the label’s peerless craftsmanship and 80-year legacy of producing truly exceptional scotches, these additions now stand at the pinnacle of Royal Salute’s permanent oeuvre as a symbol of ultimate prestige.
This article first appeared on Apr 14, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
