Chivas Brothers didn’t remain a family business for long. The last family member in the business James Chivas’ son Alexander died in 1893. Eventually the firm was bought out by master blender Charles Stewart Howard and employee Alexander Smith but they kept the name Chivas Brothers. To tap into the burgeoning market for luxury whiskies especially in America, they came up with a 25 year old blend with a high malt content which they dubbed Chivas Regal. It hit the market in 1909 and has been around ever since in various iterations. In 1936, the firm was bought by Morrison & Lundie and then in 1949 by Seagram. Chivas Brothers became the Scotch whisky arm of the Canadian drinks giant which also owned Strathisla distillery in Speyside so this became a major component of the blends. Seagram set about marketing Chivas Regal energetically especially in North America which following the end of Prohibition and World War II was taking to Scotch whisky enthusiastically. Chivas Regal became popular among the showbiz set with Frank Sinatra said to be a fan.

In 1843 the company was granted a royal warrant by Queen Victoria. The first of many such royal warrants for the firm. Being in Aberdeen, the biggest city in North East Scotland, the firm was well connected by rail with the distilleries of nearby Speyside and the Lowlands. The firm would buy, age and blend malt and grain whiskies into a consistent product such a Royal Strathythan which was launched in 1863. As tastemakers in the music and drinks industry and with a shared commitment to leaving a legacy, Chivas Regal & Stefflon Don believe the journey to greatness tastes better when achieved together.