Cover The lush forestry, evoking the scenes of Rio de Janeiro, celebrated within the beautiful setting of Ipoh's limestone caves and mountains (Image: Royal Salute)
The lush forestry, evoking the scenes of Rio de Janeiro, celebrated within the beautiful setting of Ipoh's limestone caves and mountains (Image: Royal Salute)
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The latest addition to their Polo Edition brought the love of polo and flavours together into troughs and grooves of Ipoh
Born between royalty and sports, Royal Salute is a prestigious Scotch whisky brand created to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Inspired by the traditional 21-gun salute—a ceremonial honour reserved for royalty and heads of state—its number holds a special place in the brand, and reflects the whisky’s minimum age of 21 years.
Embodying all things royal, elegant, and grandeur, their latest collection of Polo Editions welcomes a newcomer—the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition. Polo, an elegant, high-adrenaline sport long associated with royalty and nobility, also known as the ‘sport of kings’. Through global polo partnerships and sponsorships—including the Royal Salute World Polo Series—the whisky has cemented its presence within the world of polo. These collaborations echo the brand’s values of tradition, craftsmanship, and regal heritage. This latest edition is not just a nod to the game’s regal heritage, but the liquid itself crafted to reflect the lifestyle and spirit of the sport.
The seventh in the series, the striking green bottle and subsequent artful packaging captures the vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro, the undisputed capital of Brazilian polo. Amidst the fields of Helvetia and the energy among the streets, the sport thrives within the beautiful backdrop of Brazil.
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The beautiful green bottle of the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition
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For its Malaysian launch, an exclusive event among the lush verdure of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh, marked its arrival in Malaysia. A partnership with Auto Bavaria also provided the opportunity for guests to drive up in the BMW i5, with a stop by BP Polo Club for a polo clinic led by Malcolm Borwick. Set within the mountainous polo club grounds, Borwick, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, and professional polo player gave guests a hands-on lesson on the basics of polo, and showed off his skills in a quick chukka.
In the evening, the launch echoed the high energy of Brazil with performances reminiscent of the iconic Brazilian Carnival, which culminated in a launch dinner within the dramatic setting of the Jeff’s Cellar. One of a kind in its surroundings, Jeff’s Cellar is easily one Item 3 Preview Caption of the most beautiful restaurants in Malaysia, and chef Lee Choon Boon’s skills are unparalleled.
Malcolm Borwick at BP Polo Club (Image: Royal Salute)
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A special six-course menu was crafted specifically for the launch, thoughtfully paired with different expressions of Royal Salute. The amuse bouche that featured tuna belly, duck, and crab, was garnished with edible Brazilian flowers that paired well with the Rio de Janeiro 21 Year Old. The mains included a beautifully cooked cod and Brazilian picanha, a powerful combination, especially when paired with the Royal Salute 24 Year Old Cognac Cask Finish.
The dinner and tasting were led by Borwick himself, guiding palates and educating guests on the history of the historic brand. Borwick emphasises the timing of this release, noting that "the popularity of polo in Brazil is at an all-time high."
The beautiful launch dinner set up in Jeff's Cellar (Image: Royal Salute)
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Above Malcolm Borwick leading the tasting session in Jeff's Cellar (Image: Royal Salute)
Above The different arrays of whiskies from the Royal Salute collection (Image: Royal Salute)
Malcolm Borwick leading the tasting session in Jeff's Cellar (Image: Royal Salute)
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"Coming alive with the creamy sweetness of vanilla and coconut, the fruity notes in this blended malt whisky are like an intricate dance—much like the bossa nova performed on a warm Brazilian evening,"
Above The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition captures the essence of Rio through its rich, fruity character
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition captures the essence of Rio through its rich, fruity character
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The Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, wanted to capture the essence of Rio through its rich, fruity character, mirroring the city’s dynamic culture. This blend incorporates precious whiskies from Braeval Distillery, matured in first-fill casks. The first-fill cask brings a fresh floral and grassy note to the whisky, which doesn’t stray too far from the imaginations one might have of Rio’s lush landscapes.
"Coming alive with the creamy sweetness of vanilla and coconut, the fruity notes in this blended malt whisky are like an intricate dance—much like the bossa nova performed on a warm Brazilian evening," explains Hyslop.
The whisky's tasting profile reveals itself in layers: the nose presents poached pears, charred pineapple, and lime boiled sweets, complemented by vanilla cream and aromatic toasted oak. On the palate, honeydew melon and tangy green apples give way to lavish coconut, toffee, and white chocolate, finished with warming spices of cinnamon and cardamom.
Above The magnetic and colourful launch held within The Banjaran Hotsprings
Above The Pernod Ricard team and Malcolm Borwick
The magnetic and colourful launch held within The Banjaran Hotsprings
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For whisky enthusiasts wanting to experience this Brazilian-inspired journey, Jeff's Cellar is offering the complete Royal Salute Rio de Janeiro pairing menu to the public from July 23 through September 30, 2025. Priced at RM990 per person, the experience includes three exquisite Royal Salute whisky pairings alongside the specially crafted menu.
The Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition itself is available in limited quantities starting from RM1,060 at selected premium retail and liquor stores across Malaysia, as well as through the official Pernod Ricard Malaysia Shopee Store and direct purchase options.
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Keandra's expertise lies within writing deep dives into the culture and anthropology of food, sometimes with a philosophical twist. With a background in London's F&B consultancy scene, she's excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur to champion the local dining scene.
Reach her at keandra.hing@tatlerasia.com, @keandruh
