Royal Salute Unveils the 21 Year Old Desert Jewel Polo Edition

When you think of polo, the moniker “sport of kings” is surely the first to come to mind, along with its deep-rooted history. After all, polo is one of the world’s oldest known team sports, with its origins traced back to the nomadic horse cultures of Central Asia.

While many other countries have been playing polo for close to centuries, it may come as a surprise that the UAE—specifically, Dubai and Abu Dhabi—is a late adopter of the sport, but they are also one of the fastest-growing ones in the history of polo. It makes sense that Royal Salute would select the UAE to join its annual lineup of Polo Edition series. In fact, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick calls the region’s polo scene one of the most exciting in the world, a place where centuries-old tradition meets boundless ambition.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Desert Jewel Polo Edition marks the eighth chapter of the Royal Salute Polo Collection and the fifth one inspired by a great polo destination. It’s an intriguing selection, with great consideration of how the ancient sands meet the modern skylines of the Emirate.

Crafted by Master Blender Emeritus Sandy Hyslop, this bespoke 21-year-old blend is fully finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks, lending it a bold, aromatic richness that nods to Arabic culinary traditions. On the nose, expect sweet cranberries, glazed cherries, and cinnamon buns, laced with freshly grated nutmeg and cardamom. The palate unfolds in mango, blood orange, sticky dates and treacle tart, warmed by ginger and pink peppercorn, before settling into a rich, velvety finish.

Hyslop likens the finishing process to “uncovering a hidden jewel”, a fitting description for a blend meant to carry every sip from the bustle of the souks to the shimmer of the skyline.

The packaging is similarly regal. The whisky is housed in an elegant turquoise flagon, echoing the tranquil crystal waters that surround the two cities. Its gift box is illustrated with sweeping desert vistas, vibrant souks, and striking skyscrapers—a celebration of the region’s energy, heritage, and varied culture.

The Malaysian debut

The Desert Jewel Polo Edition made its local debut at an intimate evening at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, where the island setting was reimagined as an opulent desert oasis—and we were there to celebrate alongside the launch. The edition was poured alongside the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Grain and Signature Blend, each matched to a curated menu. The Desert Jewel took the spotlight with marinated Andaman prawns, served with mango salsa, crispy chickpea crumble, and a citrus vinaigrette.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Desert Jewel Polo Edition is available in limited quantities, priced starting from RM 881. Find it at selected retail outlets, specialty premium bottle shops, and the official Pernod Ricard Malaysia Shopee Store.