Royal Salute is a firm favourite of ARCADIA. The iconic whisky house continues to honour the ‘Sport of Kings’ with the release of an all-new limited-edition blend; the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Polo Estancia Edition. Kick-starting a new line of inspiration for the Royal Salute Polo Collection that celebrates iconic polo destinations around the world, the new expression pays tribute to Argentina as the emblematic home of modern polo through its unique cask finish. Appealing to both wine and whisky lovers, this Malbec-finished Scotch blends exceptional whiskies and uses the finest Malbec wine casks from Argentina.
Inspired by warming sunsets and the lifestyle of Argentinian Polo Estancias – South American properties where horsemanship is learnt and polo is played – this unique expression is the first Scotch whisky from the Royal Salute portfolio to be fully finished in Malbec wine casks. This exceptional whisky has been expertly crafted by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and endorsed by long-standing World Polo Ambassador and celebrated polo player Malcolm Borwick.
With unparalleled expertise in the art of blending, Royal Salute, known for its exceptional portfolio of rare and precious whiskies, has skilfully married its signature house style with a contemporary finish to further enhance the precious liquid of the Polo Estancia Edition. The resulting blend delivers a full-bodied, velvety and luxuriously fruity blend, offering rich hints of raspberry and blackberry compote, notes of gently spiced cinnamon, followed by plum jam and indulgent dark chocolate ginger sweets.
Speaking of the new blend, Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop said: “For this unique expression we were able to perfectly integrate the robust and highly recognisable flavours of Malbec wine casks with our rich whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 21 years – a task that requires constant care and attention. The Polo Estancia Edition is an exceptional blend resulting from this bold marriage where only the finest Malbec wine casks from Argentina were used for final maturation. Incorporating a Malbec wine finish has not only allowed us to give the blend a new dimension, it also helps to tell the story of Argentina’s polo lifestyle in a multi-faceted way.”
Royal Salute has a long-standing affinity with the world of polo, which is based on the shared values of honour, skill, integrity and respect, and continues to thrive today with an annual programme of polo events and tournaments around the world.
Commenting on the new expression, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick said: “Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to have spent numerous seasons playing in the vast pampas of Argentina, home to some of the most spectacular Estancias. Polo truly resonates with Argentine culture, and it is absolutely fitting for Royal Salute to recognise this so eloquently with the tantalising blend that is the Polo Estancia Edition. Argentina has such a rich equestrian history and is home to some of the world’s most esteemed polo players and championships, so this new expression serves as the perfect tribute.”
The new whisky comes in Royal Salute’s signature hand-crafted porcelain flagon, coloured in a deep terracotta glaze with gold details inspired by the warm hues cast by Argentinian sunsets, and presented in a stunning gift box with a contemporary illustration depicting the side-lines of a polo match and the Argentinian Polo lifestyle.
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Polo Estancia Edition will be released for a limited time from April 2021, available at select luxury retailers worldwide at an RRP $150 USD.
