Harmony in craft: The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II
In a toast to British artistry, two masters of craft meet for a couture expression.
If you must know, Queen Elizabeth II sat in the front row of his show in 2018 – the first-ever attendance of its kind for the late monarch. Fittingly afterwards, Richard Quinn became the first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
With his audacious play on print, latex and volume, the London-born fashion designer quickly became an iconoclast – his masterful grasp of riotous colour and form attracting the likes of Amal Clooney, Lady Gaga and Lily Aldridge.
Now, Quinn lends his joyous signature to this year’s Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II, creating a limited-edition release that marries the worlds of couture and craft whisky.
A REGAL TRADITION UNVEILED
The Royal Salute tradition began in 1953 at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, where two royal salutes, one military and the other a world-first – a decorated flagon of aged Speyside Scotch whiskies – marked the occasion.
To this day, a new Royal Salute expression greets each significant event in the British monarchy, from the union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the most recent milestone in 2023 – the coronation of King Charles III. Distinguished by the exclusive use of whiskies aged 21 years and beyond, this practice also gave rise to the distillery’s informal motto: We begin where others end.
This visionary approach led the house to embark on an exceptional journey with the Fashion Collection by Richard Quinn in 2021. At its core, Royal Salute is a celebration of British excellence, and so in its collaboration with the designer, it heralded a new chapter honouring British artistry and design.
The first release quickly became a coveted collectible for its milestone meeting of whisky and fashion. Consisting of two bottles, each containing 31 fine malts (mirroring the designer’s age at the time of launch), the collection exuded a floral and fragrant profile – a tribute to Quinn’s love for bloom prints.
In the sequel released this year, collectors are in for a treat as the collaboration forges a deeper connection between the worlds of spirits and couture. Master blender Sandy Hyslop and Quinn joined forces at Strathisla Distillery, Scotland, to present a blend featuring the finest hand-selected Scotch whiskies, ranging from Braeval to Strathisla and Caperdonich.
“I get inspired and motivated by someone who has something new to say, who brings a new perspective, or pushes boundaries to create something new. Sandy Hyslop does this in incredible fashion when it comes to crafting outstanding Scotch,” revealed Quinn. “Spending time with him at Strathisla Distillery was a highlight for me and the creative journey we’ve been on together has been incredible.”
A COUTURE BLEND OF WHISKY
From this inspired collaboration emerges The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II, which reveals itself as a trio of glass-coated flagons, each adorned with the unmistakable vibrancy of the designer’s modern aesthetic.
The first flaunts a black bottle decorated with white dots and wreathed in orange roses – a signature Quinn emblem that echoes the blue variety from the first series. The remaining two take on a more ethereal approach, showcasing graphic floral patterns that dance across the bottles. One spotlights his iconic white daisies against a lush forest green backdrop, while the other presents a diverse bouquet set against a pristine white canvas. The latter is a traveller-exclusive, available only at Changi Airport.
The whisky itself reflects Quinn’s personal palate. The bespoke blend offers a bold symphony of rich fruity notes – mango, banana, strawberry, pear and peach – elevated with hints of oak spices and gentle sweet smoke. The result is a balanced sip with opulent depth and a lingering finish, a sensory journey reminiscent of the experience at a Quinn fashion show.
“We both brought a really clear vision to the table, and seeing these collide, merge and build into the finished edition was a thrill to be a part of,” shared Quinn of his partnership with Hyslop. “I love the idea that our collaborative effort will find its way into the hands of appreciators of craft across the world.”
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II is available at select Cellarbration outlets and online at cellarbration.com.sg. The global travel retail exclusive is available at Changi Airport.