Royal Salute launched an ultra-rare limited edition blend known as The Time Series 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish, meticulously and expertly crafted by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. Blended in the historic Strathisla Distillery, The Time Series is created in the exacting spirit of Royal Salute’s founding — befitting of royalty, a tribute to the British monarch and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
An intense fruity combination of aromas greets its owner when nosed, with ripe plum, toffee red apples and hazelnuts covered in dark chocolate prominent. Out of the 52 years of slow and patient maturation of this liquid gold, the last 14 were spent in a single cask, which gave the whisky a soft and creamy texture. On the palate, pear syrup and hints of licorice enhance flavours of sweet orange marmalade, ginger and scented cloves.
“It’s a personal privilege to create such an outstanding whisky for Royal Salute,” says Hyslop, “The longer the whisky matures, the more intricate it becomes and with 52 years of ageing, the delicate balance of some of the rarest of our whiskies has created an unrivalled depth of flavour and unbelievably complex characteristic, making for a remarkable expression that perfectly shows that time is a key element of our creations.”
The Time Series 52 Year Old is a single cask finish blend housed in a hand-blown Dartington Crystal decanter engraved with a unique number. Every bottle is presented in a five-layered wood box, each representing a decade of the blend, making it a true collector’s item. Only 106 bottles are made, further highlighting the rarity of the Royal Salute Time Series 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish.
If the Royal Salute Time Series is seemingly out of reach, keep an eye out for The Royal Salute Malts Blend winner of Double Gold in the 2020 International Spirits Challenge.
The Malts Blend is crafted with more than 21 precious single malts, each aged for a minimum of 21 years from the five whisky regions of Scotland, which pays homage to the royal 21 Gun Salute that the brand name draws inspiration from. Notes of orchard fruits, enriched by subtle spices greet the palate as the profound whisky offers up its harmonious blend of the various single malts.
Of the four bottles of the Royal Salute Time Series 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish allocated to Singapore, only three are available at $48,888 each. The other bottle was auctioned off during the Pernod Ricard Singapore 30th anniversary party held early this year with all proceeds donated to charity.
By Asaph Low
