Royal Salute unveils final Kingdom Collection bottling with 26-Year-Old Colheita Port Cask Finish
Pernod Ricard-owned Royal Salute has unveiled the third and final expression in its Kingdom Collection, the 26 Year Old Colheita Port Cask Finish. The new Scotch whisky, the first in the brand’s portfolio to be finished in a Port cask, will be available globally from December 2025 for a recommended retail price of $560 USD.
The new bottling concludes a series that also includes the 26 Year Old Scottish Oak Cask Finish and the 26 Year Old Amarone Wine Cask Finish.
Its creation was inspired by the culture and architecture of Portugal.
Master blender Sandy Hyslop created a bespoke blend that was fully finished in ex-Colheita Port casks sourced from a winery in Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Speaking of the new blend, Royal Salute master blender Sandy Hyslop commented: “The Royal Salute 26 Year Old Colheita Port Cask Finish is more than just a whisky, it’s an experience crafted for those who appreciate the finest things in life.”
He added: “Colheita Ports are made exclusively from grapes harvested in a single vintage year, which brings a unique delicacy to the flavour profile of the Royal Salute blend.”
“This expression embodies our commitment to exceptional aging and innovative finishing, offering a taste of Portugal’s rich heritage in every sip,” Hyslop continued.
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The whisky is presented in a cobalt ceramic flagon designed to evoke Portugal’s famed azulejo tiles, with hues depicting the Douro River and Atlantic Ocean.
Official notes from the brand describe a nose of stewed pears, glazed cherries, and cinnamon, with a palate of fresh blueberries, toasted hazelnuts, and creamy toffee. The finish is described as sweet, spicy, and slightly dry.
The use of Colheita Port casks for finishing has gained traction among distilleries seeking to impart rich, fruity complexity to their whiskies.
Notable examples include England’s The Lakes Distillery, which has made the cask style a cornerstone of its Whiskymaker’s Editions, and The Dalmore, which has used the barrels for its ultra-premium aged expressions.
Bushmills recently incorporated the cask type into its World Wood Series for an 18-year-old single malt, signaling a growing trend across the Irish and Scotch whisky categories.
The Chivas Brothers-owned brand was originally created in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
