Royal Salute Continues To Support World-Class Polo in China

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, strengthened its association with international polo this month through its prestigious title sponsorship of the Royal Salute Gold Cup 2011 China Open Polo Tournament in Beijing.

Hosted in the luxurious Tang Polo Club near the Wenyu River in Beijing, the 10 day tournament saw some outstanding polo with four, 10 and 16 goal tournaments held over 10 days, but it was the Royal Salute team who came out on top, triumphing over AMG Ireland in a closely fought final. Lead by team captain and founder of Tang Polo Club Liu Shi-Lai, the Royal Salute team received the Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup with a score of 7 to 6.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented, “Through our Royal Salute World Polo initiative, we have sponsored and supported polo events in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Royal Salute and polo have a natural affinity as ultimate expressions of power, skill and nobility of character.”

Sanctioned by both the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Equestrian Association, the Royal Salute Gold Cup is China’s most prestigious polo tournament.

The latest title sponsorship further underlines the quality of the Royal Salute’s World Polo programme, which supports events in China, Brazil, India, Dubai, the US and the UK. Most recently, Royal Salute sponsored the Duke of Cambridge’s team at The Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, California.

NOTES:

About Tang Polo Club
The Tang Polo Club, Beijing, was established on 10th of October, 2010 and through its positioning as China’s premier Polo and Equestrian Club, “Membership by Invitation” policy and the hosting of international tournaments, it is at the forefront of the renaissance of polo in China.

Additionally to be in line with international standards, the club is a member of the International Polo Association and the Hurlingham Polo Association. It is connected with the world’s best known polo clubs and its name is growing on the international stage as a true Polo Club.

About Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership.

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo
In addition to Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, the Scotch whisky also supports some of the most luxurious polo tournaments in the world, staged in the grandest venues, including:

• Bernard Weatherhill Polo Club Charity Day, Gloucestershire, UK, previously titled The Chakravarty Cup
• The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, UK
• The Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara, California, US
• Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India
• Triple Crown Tournament, Helvetia Polo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.