Whisky connoisseurs who never like to be too far from their next wee dram might be interested to hear about Scotch whisky brand Royal Salute’s latest blend.
It comes accompanied by a portable porcelain flask complete with funnel and wooden serving tray. Perhaps more of a collector’s item rather than a likely travelling companion, the blue vessel gives its name to the Royal Salute 30 Year Old The Flask Edition, a blend of some of the finest Scotch whiskies all of which have been aged for a minimum of 30 years.
Royal Salute is owned by Chivas Brothers and was originally created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which was honoured with a traditional 21 gun salute. The blend usually contains a combination of matured malt and grain whiskies aged for at least 21 years.
Globally renowned for its association with polo, Royal Salute sponsors many tournaments around the world, making travel and outdoor sporting pursuits an intrinsic element of the brand.
The creation of the flask builds on a relationship Royal Salute began two years ago with Greek-born London-based designer Afroditi Krassa (known best for her restaurant interiors such as Dishroom restaurant and Heston Blumenthal at Heathrow airport) and heritage German porcelain manufacturer Fürstenberg. The collaboration was initiated by Wallpaper magazine for their annual Handmade exhibition at Milan design week.
That partnership produced two extraordinary ceramic flasks featuring organic fossil-like, created using the ancient process of Solitaire Crystalline glazing, which originated in the Song Dynasty (970-1279). In designing the vessels Krassa was inspired by Royal Salute’s original handcrafted 18th-century porcelain flagon, an iconic bottle linked with royalty and the aristocracy.
Royal Salute and Krassa have revisited the idea for the flask that accompanies this limited edition blend. “During my visits to Furstenberg’s factory, I discovered the crystalline glazing process which is more than 1500 years old,” says Krassa. “I absolutely fell in love with the richness of the material, the depth of colour and its extremely decorative visual character. I wanted the bottles to become vessels for showing this stunning glazing.”
Although formed using ancient techniques Krassa has pared back the design for modern consumers. “To me luxury is simplicity, allowing for clutter to make space for the exquisiteness of the very little, the reduced, the harmoniously balanced. The best design identifies and resonates the core values and strong integrity of a brand to give it a contemporary relevance where its traditional roots are celebrated for generations to come,” she says.
Royal Salute 30 Year Old The Flask Edition, £600, is currently available to purchase exclusively from Harrods.
Source: The Telegraph UK