Spey Royal Choice whisky to go global

Spey Royal Choice single malt whisky, in association with Historic Royal Palaces, has been officially launched in the UK with plans to go global.

Distilled in Aviemore at the Speyside Distillery by Harvey’s of Edinburgh, the whisky is produced exclusively under licence from Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace.

It is currently only sold within the palace shops at the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace and also online (www.historicroyalpalaces.com). However, Harvey’s now plans to expand availability into numerous international markets. These will include Taiwan, mainland China, Russia, Brazil and the US.

Each bottle comes in a beautifully hand-crafted wooden box with a certificate of authenticity.

“The pack was designed 100% in house,” says John McDonough, CEO of Harvey’s of Edinburgh and owner of the Speyside Distillery, “then approved by the charity - Historic Royal Palaces. Royal Blue was always the critical colour, with The Tower of London as the dominant image - reflecting the Royal Heritage.  The critical part is the bottle, which is being supplied by Saver Glass of France, cork and capsules from H Erben (both long term and trusted suppliers), and the labels and outer box were sourced in Asia.”

Spey has a royal link that dates back almost 200 years when Lord Byron gifted King George III with a barrel of Spey whisky to celebrate his marriage to Annabella Milbanke in 1815 at Seaham Hall. Historic records show this barrel was dispatched to the King’s family home at Kew Palace.

McDonough says: “This royal link continues today through the Spey Royal Choice brand and our important relationship with Historic Royal Palaces. We are delighted to now take the product into new global markets and introduce whisky lovers across the world to its soft notes. We are confident that it will be as well received as it has been at the royal palaces.”

Gina George, retail director at Historic Royal Palaces, adds: “We are delighted to be working under licence with Harvey's of Edinburgh. The development of Royal Choice has combined the best of British manufacturing with our royal story to create a distinctive new whisky”.

The 700ml bottle of Spey Royal Choice retails at £150.

13 May 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor