100 Pipers Whisky miniature. 1980s Italy edition.
100 Pipers Whisky miniature. 1980s Italy edition...
Distillery History:
Chivas Brothers Origins (Early 19th Century)
Chivas Brothers traces its roots to Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1801, a grocery and luxury goods business was established at 21 King Street, Aberdeen. It offered fine foods, tea, coffee, spices, wine, and spirits to wealthy clients. James Chivas joined the business in the 1830s, later partnering with his brother John. The brothers gained a reputation for providing only the best provisions to an affluent clientele, including the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle, for whom they became official purveyors. This early connection with the royal household added prestige that would define the brand’s image for centuries.
The Birth of Blending
In the mid-1800s, single malt whiskies could be inconsistent and often harsh by modern standards. Customers wanted a smoother, more refined product. To meet this demand, the Chivas brothers began experimenting with blending different malt whiskies with grain whiskies and older stocks. The aim was to create a consistent, mellow, and balanced Scotch whisky. This practice positioned Chivas Brothers among the pioneers of premium blended Scotch.
The Royal Warrant
By the mid-19th century, Chivas Brothers held a Royal Warrant to supply goods to Queen Victoria. This status as royal purveyors further strengthened their reputation as suppliers of quality goods, including their growing whisky business.
Chivas Regal: The First Luxury Blended Scotch
In 1909, Chivas Brothers launched Chivas Regal, a 25-year-old blend. This was marketed specifically for the booming luxury market in the United States and became recognized as the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky. The brand positioned itself above ordinary blends through its age statement and refinement.
This early flagship blend found great success among the New York social elite until Prohibition in the United States disrupted exports.
Post-Prohibition and Growth
After Prohibition ended in 1933, Chivas Regal returned to the US market, focusing on a more accessible, younger expression — the 12-year-old blend that remains the brand’s core today. This expression preserved the Chivas style of smooth, Speyside-led character.
Through the mid-20th century, Chivas Regal became synonymous with refined taste, especially in the US, where it gained popularity among the business class and Hollywood celebrities.
Strathisla Distillery
A major milestone came in 1950 when Chivas Brothers acquired the Strathisla Distillery in Keith, Speyside. Strathisla, founded in 1786, is one of Scotland’s oldest operating distilleries. Its single malt became the signature heart of Chivas Regal blends, prized for its rich, fruity, honeyed Speyside style. The picturesque distillery remains a symbol of the brand.
Modern Ownership
In the 1940s, Chivas Brothers became part of the Canadian Seagram Company, which expanded its global reach. In 2001, following Seagram’s breakup, Pernod Ricard acquired Chivas Brothers, adding the Chivas Regal range to its portfolio of global brands.
Today, Chivas Brothers Limited remains a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, operating blending, maturation, and bottling sites across Scotland, with Strathisla Distillery as its spiritual home.
Production and Blending Philosophy
House Style
Chivas Regal is defined by its commitment to a smooth, approachable Speyside character. Its blends are built around the signature Strathisla malt, combined with other Speyside malts such as Longmorn and Glenlivet, and grain whisky, primarily from Strathclyde Grain Distillery.
Maturation
Chivas whiskies are matured primarily in ex-bourbon American oak casks and sherry casks to build richness and balance. The blends always carry an age statement, which guarantees the youngest whisky in the blend — a core aspect of Chivas’ premium image.
Master Blender
From the 1990s until 2016, Colin Scott served as Master Blender and helped shape the modern range. Sandy Hyslop succeeded him and continues to maintain the signature smooth, balanced Chivas style.
Key Expressions
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old
The flagship expression, noted for a smooth, honeyed, floral style with Speyside orchard fruits and gentle oak.
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old
A more complex blend with richer oak, dark chocolate, and dried fruit layers.
Chivas Regal 25 Year Old
Reintroduced in the 21st century to honour the original 1909 expression — a luxury blend highlighting deeper aged character.
Special Editions
In recent years, Chivas has expanded with special finishes, such as Chivas Mizunara, which uses rare Japanese oak casks to impart unique aromatic notes.
Royal Salute
Introduced in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. This ultra-premium line starts at 21 years old and focuses on long-aged blends.
Chivas Brothers Today
The company remains a major force in global Scotch whisky production, also managing other key brands like The Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute, and Aberlour. Chivas Brothers continues to represent consistency and accessible luxury in the world of blended Scotch whisky.
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old — Selected Awards
| Year | Award | Competition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Gold Medal | International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) | Blended Scotch Whisky |
| 2015 | Gold Medal | The Scotch Whisky Masters | Standard Premium Blends |
| 2020 | Gold Medal | San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) | Blended Scotch up to 12 Years |
| 2021 | Gold Medal | International Spirits Challenge (ISC) | Blended Scotch up to 12 Years |
The 12 Year Old consistently earns gold and silver medals for its accessible, smooth style and balance in the standard premium blend category.
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old — Selected Awards
| Year | Award | Competition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Gold Outstanding | IWSC | Blended Scotch 18 Years and Over |
| 2015 | Trophy | ISC | Best Blended Scotch Whisky |
| 2020 | Double Gold | SFWSC | Blended Scotch 13–18 Years |
| 2022 | Gold Medal | IWSC | Blended Scotch 18 Years and Over |
The 18 Year Old has repeatedly achieved top scores and trophies, often praised for its depth and complexity.
Chivas Regal 25 Year Old — Selected Awards
| Year | Award | Competition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Trophy | ISC | Best Blended Scotch |
| 2014 | Gold Outstanding | IWSC | Blended Scotch 21 Years and Over |
| 2019 | Double Gold | SFWSC | Blended Scotch 21 Years and Over |
| 2021 | Gold Medal | IWSC | Blended Scotch 21 Years and Over |
The 25 Year Old regularly features in top-tier blended Scotch categories, upholding Chivas’ legacy of luxury blends.
Royal Salute — Selected Awards
Royal Salute, Chivas Brothers’ ultra-premium line starting at 21 years old, has also earned major recognition.
| Year | Award | Competition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Trophy | ISC | Best Blended Scotch Whisky |
| 2018 | Double Gold | SFWSC | Royal Salute 21 Year Old |
| 2020 | Gold Medal | IWSC | Royal Salute 21 Year Old |
| 2022 | Gold Medal | IWSC | Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny |
Key Competitions
Most of these awards come from the industry’s leading spirits competitions:
-
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)
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San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)
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International Spirits Challenge (ISC)
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The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business)
These competitions judge whiskies blind and score on aroma, taste, balance, finish, and overall character.
Summary
Chivas Brothers’ core blends — Chivas Regal 12, 18, 25, and Royal Salute — have consistently earned gold and trophy-level recognition across the world’s most respected competitions. These awards reinforce Chivas Brothers’ reputation for producing premium blends with consistent smoothness and refinement.
© copyright, Tasting World Ltd. England.