From a small grocery store in Aberdeen to a stalwart on the shelves of bars and homes across the globe, the story of Chivas Regal is one of perseverance and the constant purveyance of quality. The Chivas Brothers, James and John, left their rural home in 1836 to work in the family business - a grocery store which sold the finest quality provisions, wines and spirits. As the business quickly gained an impressive reputation, a royal warrant was granted by Queen Victoria to James Chivas in 1843, as Purveyor of Grocery to Her Majesty. The brothers were soon providing the Queen of Balmoral with food, provisions and spirits.
This led to the development of a wealthy and discerning clientele, and in turn, a demand for a smoother, higher quality of whisky. As it so happened, the Spirit Act of 1860 came into effect, allowing the brothers the opportunity to blend whisky from different distilleries without having to pay duty. It is believed that this was the moment when James and John Chivas became pioneers in the art of blending whiskies and gave birth to the Chivas Regal we all know and love today.
Over the next 30 odd years, the brothers and James’ son Alexander – the last of the Chivas lineage – created 7 different versions of blended whisky including the Royal Glen Dee, the Royal Strathythan and the Royal Loch Nevis.
In 1895, after the brothers and their heirs had passed away, the Chivas Brothers company was purchased by Alexander Smith and master blender, Charles Stewart Howard. As a tribute to the founding brothers, the pair decided to create the world’s first luxury whisky and launched Chivas Regal as a 25 year old whisky in 1909.
While the company has changed hands over the years the legacy and quality of this luxury whisky remains unwavering. Established in 1786 and regarded as the oldest continuously operating distiller in the Scottish Highlands, Strathisla Single Malt distillery is considered to be the home of Chivas Regal, with Strathisla single malt being at the heart of all Chivas Regal blends. Capacity at Strathisla has ramped up from 28 tonnes of malted barley per year in the beginning, to 29 tonnes per day presently, reflecting the growth of the industry and the distillery’s significance. Now owned by Pernod Ricard, the brand sells more than 4.2 million cases every year, while each sip from each bottle will always be synonymous with “the hallmark of excellence.”
THE CHIVAS COLLECTION
Chivas 12
The flagship whisky in the Chivas family, Chivas 12 is a Speyside blend with Strathisla at its heart. It’s incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a number of different ways. Chivas 12, with its high portion of Speyside single malts, carries a signature sweet, fruity and floral character.
Chivas XV
An innovative introduction to the world of Scotch, Chivas XV has been selectively finished in Grande Champagne Cognac casks from France. This gives Chivas XV a rich, luxurious and velvety edge, alongside a subtle influence of cognac, making it the ultimate way to elevate your celebrations. Chivas XV is the celebration blend, for the highest and most celebratory moments in life.
Chivas 18
According to the Chivas blending team, Chivas 18 has 85 flavours in every drop. Winning the ‘Best Blended Scotch” award at the IWSC in 2014, This rich and complex whisky is the brainchild of Custodian Master Blender Colin Scott who created it in 1997, making it perfectly balanced and exceptionally smooth.
Chivas 25
The current Chivas 25 has been blended in the style of the original Chivas 25 released in 1909, the world’s first luxury whisky. Incredibly rich, creamy and indulgent, this is the pinnacle of the Chivas Regal range and epitomises luxury Scotch whisky.
Chivas Ultis:
Ultis is the first blended malt from the house of Chivas and contains five single malts selected from five Speyside distilleries - Allt a'Bhainne, Braeval, Longmorn, Strathisla and Tormore.
Ultis was created as a tribute to the five master blenders who have maintained the Chivas house style since 1909.
The vatting of single malts from five distilleries, each with their own unique style makes Ultis a well-rounded, complex and full-flavoured whisky.
