Saddle up for Royal Salute’s Snow Polo Edition
As cool as whisky comes, this collaboration between the storied brand and polo player Malcolm Borwick has notes of blossom honey, toasted hazelnuts and even raspberry
Words: Jonathan Wells
Back in January, Gentleman’s Journal could be found sitting in front of a roaring fire, warming ourselves high in the grand Carlton Hotel in St. Moritz. We know, it’s a tough life. And, just to rub it in a little more, we were there for the noblest of reasons – to sample Royal Salute’s latest limited edition whisky: the 21-Year-Old Snow Polo Edition.
Down on the frozen lake below, polo ponies were warming up for the 35th Snow Polo World Cup — an icy annual tournament battled out in these storied Alpine climes. We went behind the scenes at the greatest show on ice — and after a frosty day dodging polo mallets and errant horses, the whisky was more than welcome.
And what whisky it is. The third in Royal Salute’s Polo Edition series — following the Polo Edition and Beach Polo Edition — the Snow Polo Edition is a blended grain whisky, and celebrates the subzero spin of the sport of kings.
Under the tutelage of Director of Blending Sandy Hyslop, we were talked through the spirit’s rich, sweet taste. With layers of vanilla and toffee, there are also notes of blossom honey, toasted hazelnuts and even raspberry to be found in the bottling.
“The notes of this whisky should evoke home comfort, with a creaminess — like enjoying a chocolate or a butterscotch candy on a cold winter day,” Hyslop explains. “It is creamy and luxurious.”
Presented in a limited edition white ceramic bottle with silver highlights, the Snow Polo Edition is a celebration of this dynamic sport — and a key player was even instrumental in creating it. Malcolm Borwick, Royal Salute’s World Polo Ambassador and self-confessed whisky enthusiast, lent his talents to help create this singular bottling, which will be available exclusively at select luxury retailers worldwide.
“I was involved from A to Z,” Borwick tells us. “Every single aspect of the product is a reflection of myself and my character. Over my entire career, I have been a traditional, straight down the line polo player. I am well known inside the sport for that level of integrity and hopefully that is reflected in the whisky.”
Borwick wanted to create a whisky with a ‘hot toddy feeling’ — and we’re pleased to announce that he and Royal Salute have unequivocally succeeded. So, next time you’re heading out onto a frozen mountain lake for a spot of rigorous, vigorous polo, you know what bottle to have waiting for you by the fire…
Looking for another warming tipple this winter? It turns out port is cool again…
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