Since its creation in 1953 to honour the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Salute has been acknowledged as the whisky to mark momentous milestones. From Royal occasions and cultural celebrations to prominent personal landmarks – Royal Salute’s exceptionally aged Scotch whisky has been raised in celebration of some of the United Kingdom’s most significant moments over the last 70 years. And this is one of the most unique and remarkable to date.
70 years ago, on the 23rd May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first recorded mountaineers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, placing a Union Jack on the world’s highest peak – standing at an astonishing 29,029ft above sea level. News of their successful ascent finally reached London on 2nd June 1953, the same day that marked Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation, and the origin of Royal Salute which was created in her honour.
This serendipitous connection to 2nd June 1953, and the 70th anniversary of this most remarkable achievement, was one that required a celebration of the highest level… Quite literally. So on the 23rd of May this year, Royal Salute became the first bottle of Scotch on known record to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
A decanter of the Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition was carried to the summit by Ang Dorjee Sherpa – a Nepali-born Everest guide who has braved the treacherous slopes more than 20 times – and accompanied by a group of intrepid mountaineers led by Guy Cotter in support of the Everest70 celebrations.
A truly remarkable feat, paying tribute to the comradery, dedication and legacy of the inspirational Everest party of 1953, while simultaneously raising important funds for local Nepalese charities.
