Keepers of the Quaich

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Keepers of the Quaich (German: “Guardian of the Shell”) is a Scotland- based, internationally active association whose task is to maintain, preserve and promote the Scottish whiskey culture. So far, around 2800 members have been accepted from over 100 different countries. You can only become a member by invitation.

history

The association was founded in 1988 by the whiskey companies Ballantine’s , Chivas Brothers , Edrington , Justerini & Brooks and United Distillers (today: Diageo ). The model was the French brotherhood Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin . The establishment was in response to the decline of the Scottish whiskey industry in the 1980s. The aim of the foundation was to promote the reputation and standards of one of the most important Scottish export goods, and to spread the uniqueness, tradition and quality of Scottish whiskey at home in Scotland and in the global markets.

In addition to the five founding partners mentioned, the association is also supported today by the following companies (corporate members): Beam Suntory , The BenRiach Distillery , Berry Bros & Rudd, John Dewar & Sons, Distell International, The Glenmorangie Company , Gordon & MacPhail, J & G Grant , William Grant & Sons , Inver House Distillers , Ian Macleod Distillers, Signatory Vintage Scotch Whiskey and Whyte & Mackay .

The most famous members include the former US President Ronald Reagan , the British heir to the throne Prince Charles and the Scottish actor Sean Connery .

membership

The Keepers of the Quaich honor people who have made an outstanding contribution to the Scottish whiskey culture (through at least seven years of activity) by conferring the title Keeper or (after ten years of membership as a Keeper) Master of the Quaich. By accepting the appointment as keeper and making a corresponding promise of loyalty, one becomes a member of the association.

You cannot apply for membership yourself, but must be proposed by at least two members. The proposing members are responsible for the costs of the appointment. The nomination takes place as part of a solemn ceremony that takes place twice a year at Blair Castle in the Scottish region of Perth and Kinross , is accompanied by the award of an order-like medal and is valid for life.

The appointment as keeper (or master) is considered to be the highest honor that is bestowed within the Scottish whiskey culture and corresponds in its importance to a medal.

organization

The Keepers of the Quaich are led by a ten-member Management Committee, headed by a Chairman (Chairman), a Director (Administrative Director) and a Treasurer (Treasurer); Chairman is currently Peter Prentice, Treasurer Michael Urquhart and Director Annabel Meikle. In addition, the Keepers of the Quaich is headed by a Grand Master (honorary chairman) who is elected for a two-year term; The reigning Duke of Argyll has held this position since 2020 .

At the national level it is divided into chapters. The German chapter has been headed by the managing director of the Kammer-Kirsch distillery (Karlsruhe), Gerald Erdrich, since 2005 .

symbolism

The central symbol of the association is the quaich, a flat, two-handled bowl, which was previously used as a drinking vessel in Scotland. An oversized, silver-made copy of such a quaich is kept in Blair Castle. The newly appointed members of Keepers of the Quaich make their promise of loyalty.

The Keepers of the Quaich have their own officially registered and protected tartan in the colors blue (water), gold (grain) and brown (peat) (reminiscent of the ingredients in whiskey).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Official website
  2. ↑ https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/04/keepers-of-the-quaich-inducts-five-new-masters/ , accessed on October 14, 2019.
  3. ^ Rachel McCormack, Chasing the Dram: Finding the Spirit of Whiskey . Simon & Schuster, 2017, ISBN 9781471157240 . (Chapter " Cocktails and Kilts ")
  4. ^ Andrew Benett, Ann O'Reilly: Consumed: Rethinking Business in the Era of Mindful Spending . St. Martin's Press, New York 2010, ISBN 978-0-230-11052-6 , pp. 155f.
  5. ↑ Corporate Members . In: Keepers of the Quaich (ed.): The Keeper - The Magazine of the Keepers of the Quaich . Winter 2019. Edinburgh, p. Inside cover .
  6. ↑ Keepers of the Quaich - Whisky.de. Retrieved January 20, 2020 .
  7. ↑ https://www.keepersofthequaich.co.uk/who-we-are/
  8. ↑ Management Committee . In: Keepers of the Quaich (Ed.): The Keeper - The magazine of the Keepers of the Quaich . Winter 2019. Edinburgh, p. 2 .
  9. ^ Chairman's Message . In: Keepers of the Quaich (Ed.): The Keeper - The magazine of the Keepers of the Quaich . Winter 2020, p. 1 .
  10. ↑ Keepers of the Quaich appoint 48 new members and 5 Masters. Retrieved December 28, 2019 .