That Chicago Night in 2021
I was twenty-five, sitting in a Chicago bar that fall of 2021, the kind where the air hums with oak and quiet secrets. My friend Jamie ordered a dram of Royal Salute 21, and I can still see the bartender sliding it over in that sapphire-blue decanter, like it was something sacred. I didn’t know whisky then just that this was expensive, a drink for big moments. Jamie raised his glass, amber catching the light, and said, “This is what history tastes like.” I laughed, not quite getting it. But that moment stuck, a memory I keep circling back to.
Why Whisky Feels Like More
That night’s still with me, like an anchor, as I’ve wandered into the world of Royal Salute 21, Chivas Regal 21, and even Crown Royal’s priciest bottles. Whiskies aren’t just drinks, are they? They’re stories, bottled up, waiting for someone to pour them out. Maybe that’s why I sit here pen to paper chasing the price of Royal Salute 21 the most costly Scotches and the finest of Crown Royal. It’s not just dollars it’s what they hold, what they mean.
Unpacking Royal Salute 21
Royal Salute 21 started it all for me. Back in that bar, I didn’t know it was born in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, named for the 21-gun salute. I just felt its weight, like holding time itself. The price of Royal Salute 21 shifts by place. In the USA, a 750ml bottle runs $205-$238, sometimes $300 in upscale spots. In India, it’s around $211, though I once saw a 1L bottle listed for ₹960 (about $11.50) at Hyderabad’s duty-free. That felt like a mirage maybe a special, maybe a mistake. I’m no regular, so I’d pay full price, like always.
Is Royal Salute 21 Worth It?
What makes Royal Salute 21 special? I’ve wrestled with that. It’s a blended Scotch, not a single malt, which some snobs shrug off. But its flavors sweet pears, orange marmalade, a wisp of smoke feel like a warm talk with an old friend. Someone on Reddit called it “great for gifting, not for sipping,” but I don’t know. It lingers, like celebration in your glass. Maybe it’s the 21 years of aging at Strathisla Distillery, or that sapphire decanter, shining like a promise. I’m still figuring it out.
The Priciest Scotches Out There
Then there’s the world of the most expensive Scotch whiskies. I read about Royal Salute’s Tribute to Honour, launched in 2011, priced at $200,000, decked with 413 diamonds & gold, echoing Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Only 21 bottles exist. Who buys that? Collectors? Tycoons? The whisky’s a blend, aged at least 45 years, so rare even blender barely tasted it. I wonder what it’s like velvet, maybe? The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare, sold for $1.9 million in 2019, holds record for the priciest bottle. I imagine the buyer sipping it alone, questioning everything.
More Legends of Scotch
Other Scotches chase that crown. The Dalmore 62 fetched $250,000 at auction, and single malts like Glenfiddich 50 Year Old or Bowmore 1957 hit six figures. Royal Salute’s Stone of Destiny 38 Year Old ($1,000-$2,000) and 62 Gun Salute (up to $3,000) hold strong for blends. Is it the taste or the story driving price? Maybe both. I keep thinking about that Macallan, wondering if it’s worth a fortune for a single sip.
Crown Royal’s Quiet Pride
Crown Royal feels different, like a familiar friend. I grew up seeing those purple bags my uncle stashed coins in one. Their priciest is the Crown Royal XR, $500-$1,000, with caramel and dried fruit notes that hit me at a friend’s wedding last summer. Too smooth, almost.The Northern Harvest Rye named World Whisky of the Year in 2016 sells for around 70 to 100 dollars but collectors drive the price up to 300 on eBay. I wonder if it’s the taste or the nostalgia that pulls people in.
Royal Salute vs. Ballantine’s 21
Comparing Royal Salute 21 to Ballantine’s 21 feels personal. Ballantine’s, another blend, costs less $100-$150 in the USA. I tried it once, spicy and oaky, solid but not regal. Royal Salute carries a weight, a sense of occasion. Maybe it’s the marketing, or the 21 years, but it feels like it’s whispering something important. Ballantine’s just wants to chat. Which is better? Depends on the night, I guess.
Prices Around the Globe
Royal Salute 21’s price fascinates me. In the USA, it’s $205-$238 for 750ml, cheaper in duty-free, maybe $150. In India, it’s $211, but that ₹960 deal in Hyderabad sounds too good. The UK sees £150-£200 ($200-$260), and Australia’s at AUD 239.99 for 700ml. Why the differences? Taxes, duties, or just what people will pay? I’m still puzzled, but it’s part of a chase.
Back to That Bar
I keep returning to that Chicago night, Jamie’s voice saying, “This is what history tastes like.” I get it now, a little. Royal Salute 21 isn’t just whisky it’s a moment, a memory. The priciest Scotches, like Macallan 1926 or Royal Salute’s Tribute to Honour, are myths, untouchable. Crown Royal’s XR carries its own quiet pride, a Canadian underdog. I don’t know if I’d spend $200, let alone $200,000, but knowing these bottles exist feels like holding onto time. That fall of 2021, Jamie’s grin, the decanter’s glow it’s all there, in every sip. Maybe that’s worth everything.
FAQs About Royal Salute 21
Q1. What’s the price of Royal Salute 21 in the USA?
A. Around $205-$238 for 750ml, but duty-free might drop to $150 if you’re lucky.
Q2. How much is Royal Salute 21 in India?
A. About $211 for 750ml. I heard of a 1L bottle for ₹960 in Hyderabad duty-free, but is that real?
Q3. Is Chivas Regal 21 the same as Royal Salute 21?
A. Yes, it’s the same 21-year-old blend from Chivas Brothers. Just different names.
Q4. What’s the most expensive Scotch ever sold?
A. The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare, $1.9 million in 2019. Beyond imagination.
Q5. What’s the priciest Crown Royal bottle?
A. Crown Royal XR, $500-$1,000. Northern Harvest Rye hits $300 for collectors.
Q6. Is Royal Salute 21 worth its price?
A. It’s rich, smoky, perfect for special nights. For me, it’s about the moment.
Q7. How’s Ballantine’s 21 different from Royal Salute 21?
A. Ballantine’s is cheaper, $100-$150, solid but less grand. Depends on your vibe.
Q8. Where’s the cheapest Royal Salute 21?
A. Duty-free shops, maybe Hyderabad or Dubai. Check local stores for deals.