Royal Salute 21 Year Old The Harris Reed Gold is a 21-year-old blended malt Scotch whisky from Scotland, the third instalment in the brand's Fashion Collection, created in collaboration with fashion designer Harris Reed. For the third chapter of the Fashion Collection, Royal Salute partners with fashion designer Harris Reed, presenting a new blend.
The composition was developed in an unusual manner. This 21 Year Old edition was created during a joint blending session at the Strathisla distillery, where Harris Reed joined Master Blender Sandy Hyslop to translate his style and preferences into the blend's flavour profile during the blending process. The whisky's character is determined above all by two components: the addition of sherry cask-matured Braeval and American oak-matured Glenburgie gives the whisky a sweet-spicy edge.
The brand has an unequivocal pedigree. Royal Salute was created by the Chivas brothers in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and the name refers to the 21-gun salute; from the outset the whisky was introduced as a 21-year-old blend, which set it apart from standard blended Scotch.
The aroma and taste are dominated by fruity, dessert-like notes with a spicy close. The nose reveals fresh red apples, raspberry preserve and crème brûlée, interwoven with roasted hazelnut, a touch of cinnamon and sweet toasted oak. On the palate there is pear crumble, creamy vanilla fudge and toasted almonds, complemented by the sherry cask Braeval, which brings raisins, gooseberry jam, lively ginger and a note of cloves. The finish is rich, complex and spicy.
Bottled at 40% ABV, 0.7 litre capacity. The release is limited in character, and the bottle is decorated with a plume motif referencing Reed's signature headpieces. Reed saw a natural kinship between Royal Salute's royal heritage and his distinctive plumes, which he describes as contemporary crowns, and the plume became the leading decorative element of the bottle.