scotch whisky & the keepers of the quaich

Like many, you may have heard of the term ‘Keeper of the Quaich” but are not quite sure what it means. What and who are the Keepers? Who are the Masters? Is it true that the late US President Ronald Reagan was once an honorary member?

My latest article aims to explore the fascinating world of the Keeper of the Quaich and delve into the significance of this esteemed title while finding out what exactly it has to do with Scotch Whisky.

The Keepers of the Quaich

On the mountainous outskirts of the Scottish Highlands lies Blair Castle, ancestral home to the Clan Murray and the ceremonial headquarters to a prestigious international society.  A society with a very select membership, a closed membership - a membership to be earned and one that no amount of money or social standing can buy.

But far from being a secret underground brotherhood with shadowy members lurking around in hooded cloaks (in fact, tartan might be more their thing) – this is the home to The Keepers of the Quaich, a much-revered organisation that honours and celebrates individuals for their ongoing and exceptional commitment to the world of Scotch Whisky.

Origins

The society is relatively young compared to the industry that it serves. Founded in 1988, by a consortium of distillers and retailers – Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Edrington, George Ballantine & Son and Justerini & Brooks - it was created to protect the interests of Scotch Whisky as an industry, independently from the goals of the individual founding companies.

Why quaich?

The organisation takes its name from the quaich (pronounced ‘quake’ but with a silent ‘ch’) which is a traditional Scottish shallow two-handled drinking cup that symbolises friendship and hospitality.

Who are the Keepers?

Keepers of the Quaich are made up of around 2900 men and women worldwide from over 90 countries. They come from all walks of life – company CEOs, distillers, master blenders, journalists and marketers.

Membership is highly coveted and limited to individuals who have worked in the industry for at least five years and have shown and exceptional dedication to promoting and preserving the heritage of Scotch Whisky.

Those who have been members for ten years or over and with a proven track record of whisky advocacy may progress to the higher rank of Master of the Quaich, of which there are currently 246.

Ceremony of Induction

Twice yearly, in the spring and autumn, the society hosts an induction ceremony and banquet at Blair Castle, ancient home to the Earls and Dukes of Atholl and the Atholl Highlanders (Europe’s only legal private army).

The ceremony is presided over by The Grand Master, a position currently held by Torquhil Campbell, The Duke of Argyll, and Ian Smith, President of the Keepers of the Quaich.

New recruits are led by the Atholl Highlander Pipers into the ceremony room, lay their right hand on the ceremonial silver quaich and swear an oath of allegiance.

And then onto the banquet which is held in the grand ballroom and usually consists of haggis with some rare drams served in between while the guests are entertained by guest speakers. At the conclusion of the banquet it is tradition for all attendees to join together and sing Scotland Yet!, in reference to Sir Walter Scott’s moment of discovering the long-forgotten crown jewels of Scotland.

Honorary Keepers of the Quaich

This title is normally awarded to the banquet’s guest speaker. Recent speakers have included amongst others: Andrew Neil, Rory Bremner and Gabby Logan.

His Royal Highness King Charles (as former Prince of Wales) was awarded honorary Keeper in October 1996. In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, he broadcast a pre-recorded speech to the members praising the industry for its commitment to Scottish rural economic development and sustainable production.

Former US President Ronald Reagan was made an honorary member in October 1991. At the banquet he stood and delivered a speech, one that had actually been written by Scottish comedian and actor Johnny Beattie. Burns was read, the haggis was customarily addressed before a knife was produced and the haggis was dramatically sliced end to end. Famously, First Lady, Nancy Reagan, originally assuming the haggis was just part of the show, expressed utter horror at the thought of actually eating it!

International Chapters

Despite its Scottish roots and identity, the society has ten international branches, known as Chapters. Chapters are run by members and are set up in key markets around the world including Australia, Brazil, China, the USA, and South Africa amongst others.

Coat of Arms and Tartan

As well as their own coat of arms, shield and crest, the Keepers also have a registered tartan which is exclusive to the society. Based on an 18th century design, it is woven from pure wool and incorporates the colours associated with whisky: blue for water; gold for barley and brown for peat. 

Members’ responsibilities and duties

As a Keeper of the Quaich, individuals carry the responsibility of standing as global ambassadors for Scotch Whisky. They are expected to promote the values and traditions of whisky, raising awareness, and fostering appreciation. Keepers also play a crucial role in nurturing relationships between international whisky communities, facilitating collaborations, and encouraging the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

The Future

While Keepers of the Quaich are dedicated to preserving the time-honoured traditions and craftsmanship associated with Scotch Whisky, they also recognise the importance of innovation. As the industry continues to evolve, the Keepers play a crucial role in embracing new techniques, exploring different maturation processes, and pushing the boundaries of flavour profiles.