Royal Salute Tasting Chamber, Tower of London

An ultra‑exclusive, multi‑sensory whisky sanctuary within the historic Martin Tower.

Ellis Design Studio is proud to unveil a landmark project: the Royal Salute Tasting Chamber, an invitation‑only, multi‑sensory experience housed within the 13th‑century Martin Tower at the Tower of London. This extraordinary commission marks a historic world‑first — the first time in the Tower’s 900‑year history that a brand has been permitted to establish a permanent presence within its fortified walls.

Working alongside Royal Salute, Historic Royal Palaces, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Pixel Artworks, Ellis Design Studio reimagined the Martin Tower as a majestic sanctuary celebrating Royal Salute’s enduring connection to the British Monarchy. The result is an immersive, narrative‑driven environment that blends heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary sensory design.

A World‑First Collaboration Within the Tower of London

Designing within one of the world’s most iconic landmarks demanded a deep respect for its history. The Studio approached the project with a profound sense of responsibility — crafting a space that honours the Tower’s legacy while elevating Royal Salute’s story of royal tribute, rarity and refinement.

The Tasting Chamber is the only place in the world where guests can explore Royal Salute’s Treasures Collection, including a guided tasting of all three expressions of the prestigious 62 Gun Salute — a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience available exclusively within this chamber.

A Jewel‑Like Prelude

Guests begin their sensory journey at a former jewel cabinet once used to house the famed Koh‑I‑Noor diamond. Ellis Design Studio transformed this historic artefact into a shimmering, faceted sensory display inspired by a perfumer’s organ. Decanters containing aromatic essences introduce the tasting notes of the Treasures Collection, accompanied by bespoke fragrances created by Master Perfumer Barnabé Fillion.

This jewel‑like moment sets the stage for a journey defined by rarity, ritual and discovery.

The Interactive Tasting Table — A Multi‑Sensory Centrepiece

At the heart of the chamber sits a state‑of‑the‑art interactive tasting table — a seamless fusion of tactile whisky tasting and projection‑mapped storytelling. As guests place their glasses on the table, hidden sensors activate a visual narrative that reveals the history of Royal Salute and the origins of the Treasures Collection.

Above, a spectacular lighting canopy inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved “granny’s tiara” refracts light through clusters of translucent lozenges, creating a mesmerising interplay of glow and shadow.

A Bar of Depth, Intensity and Craft

Tastings are served from a custom‑designed bar finished in swirling inky hues that echo the richness of Royal Salute’s blends. Antique brass detailing and an amber‑hued stone countertop create a sense of warmth and ceremony, while the bow‑shaped form elevates the presentation of the iconic Royal Salute portfolio.

The Whisky Library — A Chamber of Rarity

Guests can relax within the main chamber, where a one‑of‑a‑kind whisky library showcases Royal Salute’s most precious blends. Two antique jewel cabinets — once home to the Cullinan and Koh‑I‑Noor diamonds — have been repurposed as glittering showcases for Royal Salute’s permanent collection. Their arrangement subtly references coronation ritual, reinforcing the sense of reverence and exclusivity.

Within a medieval alcove, a golden‑hued translucent whisky barrel displays the rarest Royal Salute expressions. The barrel features:

• Leather strapping handmade in Speyside
• A laser‑etched stopper crafted from 5,000‑year‑old Scottish bog oak
• A bespoke copper dog gilded with an original 1953 penny — a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and the founding of Royal Salute’s distillery

This extraordinary object embodies the brand’s devotion to craft, provenance and storytelling.

Narrative‑Driven Illustration & Synaesthetic Design

Intricate hand‑applied illustrations envelop the chamber, referencing the Tower’s history as a Royal Menagerie and the mythical world of Royal Salute. Curlicues of linework represent the smoky fire of the Tower’s famous cannon tribute, the Royal Salute, while subtle nods to alchemists, conspirators and spectral tales enrich the narrative.

The illustrations extend across bespoke carpets and ceilings, creating a fully immersive environment shaped by synaesthetic principles — where texture, colour, scent and sound blend to heighten the sensory experience.

A Defining Moment in Luxury Experience Design

Delivering a project within the Tower of London has been an honour for Ellis Design Studio and a defining moment in our ongoing partnership with Royal Salute. The Tasting Chamber represents a masterwork of narrative‑driven design — a sanctuary of rarity, refinement and multi‑sensory storytelling that invites guests to embark on an unparalleled journey of discovery and indulgence.