Scotch

Whiskey/Whisky Review: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute The Peated Reserve Royal Salute Royal Salute

3300.00

OVERALL
RATING

7

Review: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute The Peated Reserve

In the last installment of my Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute reviews, I sample The Peated Reserve. How does it compare to the other reserves in the collection?
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes:

About:
Stored in a rather standout emerald green decanter, this liquid has a focus on peat – which for any Chivas product us a little unusual. But between all of the whiskies that are within this blend, the lost distillery of Caperdonich is a key role in this blend of liquids that cover all of Scotland. Whether or not the peated stock has been sourced from the silent Caperdonich distillery is unknown, but this is a different adventure for 62 Gun Salute fans.
Appearance:
Ruby Sherry
Nose:
Starts in an unexpected way – you want a little bit of smoke upfront and you do get it. But the dominant notes are loads of red fruits. Strawberry and raspberry really making themselves known amongst everything else. That’s all included with some milk chocolate, and strawberry fondant cream, but if you let this linger in the glass for a while, the smoke does show up. But it is an older, more fragrant, delicate smoke that come across as cured meats.
Palate:
The smoke is so much more present on the palate. It’s a solid combination of sweet, smoky apples, slightly more industrial notes of rubber and burnt herbs – like thyme and rosemary. A gentle salty note starts to push through, that just amplifies the big apple sweetness, as well as those smokier notes.
Finish:
The salty notes in this are delicious! An amazing contrast to the sweet fruit notes, and the industrial, and somewhat delicate smokiness that is lingering around. As far as peated whisky goes, this isn’t going to pull all the dryness out of your mouth, or make you think you’re rubbing iodine all over your mouth. But it is nice to see an older blend put focus on some smokier stuff.
Comments:
A nice move away from the traditional style in the Chivas blending house. I would personally want more in the mix, but for the regular drinker and buyer of 62 Gun Salute bottles, this is more than enough smoke to get by.
In the last installment of my Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute reviews, I sample The Peated Reserve. Credit: Royal Salute

In July 2024, Royal Salute introduced the 62 Gun Salute Collection, expanding its prestigious range with two new expressions: The American Oak Reserve and The Peated Reserve, alongside The Original Reserve. This collection honors Royal Salute’s rich history, heritage, and its enduring connection to the British Royal Family, with each whisky serving as a tribute to the 62 Gun Salute ceremony, traditionally held at the Tower of London to mark Royal anniversaries.

I recently reviewed The Original Reserve and The American Oak Reserve. Today, let’s delve into some of the most common questions about the Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute The Peated Reserve. Read my review above.

Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.

By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Why Does The Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute The Peated Reserve Standout?

A smoky scotch whisky isn’t an unusual thing – but to see it brought in with such prominence, into a range of whisky that is so important to whisky drinking heritage, as well as British history. It is quite impressive.

The focus on that emerald green decanter gives this liquid an even bigger showcase in style. The famous blue and red Royal Salute decanters have always sold better in the past – so it is very refreshing to see this stunning green decanter become a focal point for such an unusual expression from Royal Salute.

And again, there is the smoky element. Brands like Johnnie Walker Black and Blue Label have always had smoke at the core of their tastes, but have never made a note of it on the bottle. For Chivas to put this front and center is quite important.

Is This Massively Different From The Regular Bottles of 62 Gun Salute?

Yes, hugely. A focus on peat is very out of the ordinary for this brand. So if you are a fan of this brand of whisky, and you have the cash available to purchase it, it will give you a truly different approach to what Chivas can do with the Royal Salute brand, and the super-premium bottles within it.

Royal Salute isn’t a brand that is famous for its offerings in the smokier realm of whisky – so automatically this has a stand-out contrast to all of its sibling bottles, as well as being able to offer Johnnie Walker some competition for older, smokier blended whiskies.

Final Thoughts On The Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute The Peated Reserve

This is the perfect bottle for you, especially if you’ve had bottle after bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and are looking for something that has more to it then you shouldn’t look any further.

A showcase of a closed distillery, with a different overall approach to a blended style is a breath of fresh air for Royal Salute.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

All Posts
Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews