Sips & Sites & Bites

Royal Salute, an icon of impeccably aged Scotch whisky, recently dropped a showstopper that’s as vibrant and dynamic as its muse … Rio de Janeiro. Meet the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition, the latest gem in the brand’s coveted Polo Collection.

This seventh edition is more than a whisky … it’s a rhythm, a celebration, a love letter to Brazil’s pulsing polo scene and lush landscapes. Polo may be rooted in tradition, but in Rio it dances to its own beat, much like this limited-edition blend. Think tropical elegance, elevated.

Crafted by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, this 21-year-old blended malt weaves together whiskies aged in first-fill and American oak casks, including some from the revered Braeval Distillery. Expect bright floral and grassy notes that echo Rio’s green heart, softened with a creamy swirl of vanilla and coconut. It’s sunshine in a glass, with the complexity to match the city’s carnival spirit.

Presented in a vivid green flagon kissed with gold, an homage to the Brazilian flag, the bottle is as striking as the liquid it guards. And the packaging? A postcard-worthy panorama of Rio’s city-meets-nature drama.

“The fruit and sweetness here move like Bossa Nova … graceful, layered, a little seductive,” says Hyslop. We’re already picturing this beauty served post-polo, preferably somewhere warm with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Available in limited quantities for around $250, you’ll find it at specialty retailers like Flaviar and Caskers.

For those chasing flavor with flair, and a touch of jet-set swagger, this one belongs on your top shelf.

Check them out on socials and online @royalsalute | royalsalute.com