Royal Salute Snow Polo Edition

Royal Salute have launched a 21 year old grain whisky called Snow Polo

Royal Salute have launched the third expression in its annual Polo Collection: Royal Salute 21 Year Old Snow Polo Edition. Crafted by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and backed by elite polo player Malcolm Borwick, this is limited edition scotch is in fact the first blended grain in the Royal Salute range since their  launch in 1953.

Made with some of the single grain whiskies that make up Royal Salute’s signature blend and non-chill-filtered thanks to the clear nature of grain, Royal Salute 21 Year Old Snow Polo Edition was aged in predominantly American Oak casks to make for a honeyed finish, and bottled at 46.5% ABV, which matches the latitudinal coordinates of 46.5 GPS of St Moritz – the birthplace of snow polo. It is a sweet whisky with peaches and vanilla ice cream on the nose, a smooth mouthfeel with notes of orange marmalade and honey-roast notes on the palate, ending with a smooth sweet finish.  

Sandy Hyslop, Master Blender, said: “After many years spent experimenting, blending, and sampling, it is a real thrill to finally be able to introduce a 21 Year Old blended grain Scotch to the Royal Salute portfolio. I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration for blending, and the unique sport of snow polo proved to be one of the richest yet. The Snow Polo Edition has a remarkable depth of flavour – and it is perhaps fitting that we would recommend that these flavours are best released when served over ice.”

The bottling is presented in a beautiful box inspired by vintage Alpine art-deco, featuring Malcolm Borwick’s signature red helmet and moniker. The whisky itself comes in Royal Salute’s iconic porcelain flagon (in striking white), embossed with a polo scene, with a cool silver stopper.

The Polo collection as a whole is meant as a celebration of Royal Salute’s relationship with the ‘Sport of Kings’, with each bottling inspired by  the different environments in which polo is played around the world. Dating back over a decade, Royal Salute’s affinity with polo continues to be celebrated through a global programme of events spanning four continents and including the support of polo tournaments worldwide including the World Snow Polo Cup in St Moritz and the St Regis World Snow Polo Championships in Aspen.

If you’re interested in picking up a bottle keep an eye open at travel retailers (RRP is $155 USD).