One of the biggest names in whisky blending, and recognised globally for its quality, Chivas Regal has a well earned reputation for quality, earned over a prestigious history of some 200 hundred years. True pioneers of the blending industry, Chivas have broken the mould repeatedly and are partly responsible for the global popularity of whisky that we know today.

Timeline

1. 1801

   Chivas Brothers starts its life as a grocer’s selling luxury goods including rums from the West Indies, coffee, exotic spices, French Brandy and of course, malt whiskies!

2. 1830s

   by the 1830s the role of oak barrel was better understood, and the Chivas Brothers began to lay down barrels of grain and malt whisky to age in their spirit cellar for their specialist in house blends.

3. 1843

   The company receives a prestigious royal warrant, marking it as a company that supplies the royal family with services and goods.

4. 1850s

   The Chivas Brothers respond to customer demand to create a smoother whisky with a well rounded character by blending grain and malt whiskies of different ages, pioneering the practice. The secret techniques they use remain in practice today, after being passed down the generations of the Chivas family, and are heavily guarded by the company.

5. 1860s

   In 1860, parliament passed the Spirits Act which explicitly permitted the blending of Scotch whiskies, handing the industry a huge boost. Companies like Chivas Brothers could now flourish in a legitimate business.

6. 1880s

   The Cognac industry is crippled as French vineyards suffer a terrible outbreak of the phylloxera blight. As the then spirit of choice was in short supply, discerning drinkers began to look elsewhere for their tipple, turning to Scotch whisky. This established it as the luxury spirit of the highest quality, a reputation it would never lose. Chivas Brothers was at the forefront of ensuring this reputation with quality whisky of the highest quality.

7. 1900s

   The Chivas Brothers took advantage of the booming economy in America to begin exporting their longest aged blends, recognising the burgeoning market for luxury goods in the country. This was also the first time a whisky by the company carried the brand Chivas Regal.

8. 1909

   In 1909, Chivas Regal broke the mould again by releasing the world’s first premium whisky- Chivas Regal 25. An instant hit across America, particularly in the happening cocktail cities of New York, Chicago and New Orleans, this bottling ensured the company’s good name in the world of spirits. Nearly all whisky companies have followed Chivas’s lead by offering ultra luxury bottlings of this ilk.

9. 1920s

   Sadly, as with many high quality drinks producers, the "Roaring Twenties" were less successful for Chivas Regal due to the heavy impact of Prohibition in the United States. Chivas Regal 25 year old was discontinued, but the company continued to trade in other nations.

10. 1938

    The company begins to export to the United States again, this time launching its centrepiece blend- Chivas Regal 12 year old.

11. 1949

    The company is purchased by Canadian drinks giants Seagrams, who begin taking the products to new, international markets. This is accompanied by early examples of excellent drinks marketing, with full page adverts taken out in lifestyle magazines such as the New Yorker. This really establishes the 12 year old as one of the icons of blended Scotch whisky. Soon, celebrity endorsements from Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack meant that Chivas Regal was one of the most fashionable drinks around.

12. 1950

    The company purchases Strathisla distillery, its base to this day, to ensure a consistent supply of excellent Single Malt whisky to use in their blends. Strathisla is now known as the "heart" of Chivas Regal blends.

13. 1953

    Chivas Regal launch Royal Salute, a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation. Aged for 21 years (to reflect the 21 gun salute that greets Her Royal Highness), it is packaged in ceremonial ceramic flagons, of different colours. The flagship blend of the Chivas brand, and expertly made too.

14. 1990

    Chivas Regal repay Sinatra for his long custom by sponsoring his Diamond Jubilee tour.

15. 1997

    The company’s standard range is expanded with the release of an18 year old expression- "Gold Signature", this marks a rare expansion of the Chivas standard range, the first since 1953.

16. 2001

    French drinks giants Pernod Ricard purchase the Chivas Regal company, promising to adhere to and respect its heritage of quality, and retain the traditional methods of blending that have served it so well.

17. 2007

    Nearly 100 years after it was first released, Chivas Regal release a 25 year old expression. This was created by Master Blender Colin Scott to replicate the qualities and tradition of the original.

18. 2012

    Proving that the grand old company is still responsive and aware of Scotch whisky market trends, a Non-Aged-Stated blend is released, designed to replicate those very first blends made in the cellar of a luxury epicurean shop.

19. 2013

    Chivas Regal picks up 3 double-gold medals for its 18, 21, and 25 year old bottlings at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition of that year. Marking the continuation of a tradition of relentless quality.