Cover Royal Salute’s latest partnership with FutureGrail celebrates the intertwined worlds of whisky blending and watchmaking (Image: Royal Salute)
Royal Salute’s latest partnership with FutureGrail celebrates the intertwined worlds of whisky blending and watchmaking (Image: Royal Salute)
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Royal Salute’s latest partnership with Singapore-based FutureGrail explores the shared values of whisky blending and fine watchmaking through four exceptional whisky-and-watch pairings
For Royal Salute, 21 years has always been the starting point—never the finish line. Since its creation in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II, every expression in its portfolio has been matured for a minimum of 21 years. More than an age statement, it reflects the house’s long-held belief that exceptional blended Scotch can only be achieved through patience, precision and time.
That belief extends well beyond whisky, as seen in Royal Salute’s new partnership with FutureGrail, the Singapore-based auction house, museum and vault dedicated to exceptional timepieces. Officially launched at FutureGrail’s flagship on June 11, the collaboration was marked by an evening titled Mastery of Time and Craft, which brought together collectors, whisky enthusiasts and members of Le Cercle—Royal Salute’s invitation-only private client society that celebrates craftsmanship, exclusivity and the art of conviviality. Together, they formed a community bound by a shared love of rare whiskies and remarkable watches, and a deeper appreciation for objects whose value is shaped by heritage and craftsmanship.
Above Sandy Hyslop introduces the Mastery of Time and Craft collaboration with FutureGrail
Sandy Hyslop introduces the Mastery of Time and Craft collaboration with FutureGrail
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“FutureGrail was a natural partner because we share the same appreciation for craftsmanship, heritage and the value of time,” said Royal Salute master blender emeritus Sandy Hyslop, who attended the launch alongside FutureGrail founder Ali Nael. Hyslop added that FutureGrail’s “expertise in horology, commitment to authenticity and museum-quality collection align closely with the values that have defined Royal Salute since its founding.”
For Hyslop, those shared values extend beyond rarity or collectability. “Whether you’re creating a fine watch or an exceptional whisky, there are no shortcuts,” he said. “The very best examples are shaped over many years through patience, precision and an unwavering commitment to quality.” Nael agreed, letting on that “the element of ageing also translates strongly to vintage watches—often the watches with the greatest qualities are those that have developed their own character over time.”
Guests experienced that shared philosophy through four whisky-and-watch pairings, beginning with the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Signature Blend alongside the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 4700/160J. “We’ve always believed that 21 years is the point at which a Scotch whisky truly comes into its own,” Hyslop explained, noting that by then the spirit has developed “remarkable strength, richness and complexity.” It was a fitting match for the diamond-set Nautilus, one of Patek Philippe’s most recognisable references, celebrated for its timeless design and meticulous craftsmanship.
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Royal Salute 21 Year Old Signature Blend paired with Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 4700/160J
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Next came the Royal Salute 26 Year Old Colheita Port Cask Finish with the Rolex Ref 8171 “Padellone”. The final release in the Kingdom Collection—and the first Royal Salute expression to be fully finished in rare Colheita Port casks—the whisky reveals rich layers of berries, dried fruit and warming spice. Its counterpart, produced only briefly between 1949 and 1952, remains one of Rolex’s most sought-after vintage references, admired for combining technical complexity with understated elegance.
The third pairing featured the Royal Salute 30 Year Old Key to the Kingdom alongside the Patek Philippe Ref 3970 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Named after the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace, the whisky offers notes of candied walnuts, peaches in syrup, ginger spice and delicate sweet smoke. Widely regarded as one of the finest perpetual calendar chronographs ever made, the Ref. 3970 is equally celebrated for its mechanical sophistication and enduring appeal.
Bringing the evening to an unforgettable close was the Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute Original Reserve, presented alongside the historic Flintlock Pistol Perfume Watch attributed to Mouliné, Bautte & Cie. Named in homage to the British monarchy’s grandest ceremonial tradition that celebrates royal milestones, the expression sits at the pinnacle of blended Scotch with its assemblage of over 50 malt and grain whiskies aged for more than 40 years. Its remarkable depth was apparent to the guests from the very first nose, where aromas of sweet orange, toasted nuts and oak unfold into a richly layered palate before culminating in a long, luxurious finish that speaks to decades of careful maturation. Its companion proved equally striking: a rare objet d’art that stands as a masterclass in early 19th-century craftsmanship.
Above Royal Salute partners with FutureGrail to celebrate the world of whisky blending and horology
Royal Salute partners with FutureGrail to celebrate the world of whisky blending and horology
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Beyond the pairings, the evening underscored the growing affinity between the worlds of fine whisky and horology. As Nael observed: “Both communities are drawn to pieces with a story, exceptional craftsmanship and a strong sense of heritage. They also tend to discover and acquire them through similar channels—trusted networks, auctions and invitation-only communities.”
More than a showcase of exceptional whiskies and rare timepieces, Mastery of Time and Craft celebrated the values that unite both pursuits. As Hyslop put it: “The value of both a great timepiece and a great whisky isn’t simply a matter of age—it’s what time has been allowed to achieve.” Whether in Scotland’s blending rooms or Switzerland’s watchmaking ateliers, the finest creations are shaped over decades, rewarding those who understand that some things simply cannot be rushed.
Enjoy Royal Salute responsibly.
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Images: Royal Salute
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Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
