“Our charter – to continually further the Chapter’s collective awareness and enjoyment of Scotch whisky in a group environment that encourages study, diversity of viewpoint, and open friendly dialogue. ”
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Gallery |
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19Q3 Meeting Hosted by Bass – 05 OCT 2019 |
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KOTQ crew at Bass’s house. Crew clockwise from L: Norse, Randall, Bass, Bop, B-Funk, Lakeview |
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Tortoise Club Outing – 17 JUL 2021 |
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KOTQ crew outing to Tortoise Club. Crew clockwise from L: Badger, Polo, Lakeview, Norse |
Las Vegas Tasting 15Q3 and 15Q4, 16-17 JAN 2016 |
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Which is more iconic the vintage Vegas sign or the KOTQ’s roster? Crew from L to R: Stretch, Bop, Bluff, Lakeview, Rambler, Jeff, Tao, Randall, Balgam, Justin, Bass |
Stretch Escalade from the airport to the Palazzo. Brother Tao provided a plastic flask of Old Pulteney 12 for the ride |
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Bop and Bass warming up – the Palazzo suite had a baby grand and a large dining room table to support the grand tasting |
Bop and Bass ready to go with their 10 song jazz set |
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Bop and Bass playing Vince Guaraldi |
The sitting area for tasting, chatting, and Rambler’s unfortunate wager on Cardinals-Packers |
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Literally the ultimate lineup. From L to R: Springbank 21 (2015 Release), Ledaig 18, Talisker 18, Balblair 1983, Glenglassaugh 30, The Macallan 18 |
The commemorative glencairns specifically etched for the KOTQ’s Vegas tasting – designed and sourced by Brother Tao |
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Full panoramic view of the awesome Palazzo suite from tasting couches to butler area with full lineup |
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Brother Rambler presenting his homework on Talisker in front of the distillery map |
Dinner at Delmonico’s in conjunction with the 2nd tasting on Jan 17 at Del’s Bar. CW from front left: Justin, Randall, Jeff, Lakeview, Bop, Rambler, Tao, Balgam, Bass, Stretch, and Bluff toasting the weekend with the legendary Ardbeg Airigh Nam Biest |
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Photos over the years |
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L to R: Bluff, Bop, Balgam, Hoopie, Lakeview, via Skype: Tao; at Brother Bluff’s 10Q4 |
L to R: Bluff, Hoopie, Balgam, Lakeview, Bop, Tao, Standing: Hummel; at Brother Balgam’s 10Q2 |
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Brother Riesling doing 20 for server abuse (something about her tatoos…) at Middletons in Wauconda, 12Q3 |
Brother B Funk giving us another 20 on the sidewalk at 11Q3 tasting simply because someone asked him to (is that the same shirt B Funk)? |
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Brother B Funk giving us 20 for breaking glasses at 11Q2 tasting |
Brother Ville with Ardbeg Rollercoaster at 11Q1 tasting at Hoopie’s |
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Standing: Cyclone, Bluff, Centennial, Irving, Tao; Seated: Ville, Lakeview, Bop at Brother Lakeview’s Wedding October, 2002 |
00Q4 Meeting at Brother Bop’s |
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Chapter Insignia |
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Crest |
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Explanation of symbols and colors |
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Colors |
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| Gold or yellow | Elevation of the mind |
| Orange | Worthy Ambition |
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Charges |
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| Barley sheaf | Harvest of ones own hopes has been secured |
| Whisky bottle | Its about the whisky! |
| Harp | Well composed person of tempered judgment and contemplation |
| Keys | Guardianship and dominion |
| Book | Manifestation |
| Tun/Barrel | Symbol of brewer and vintner families |
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Motto |
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| En Whisky Veritas | Truth in Whisky |
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Tartan |
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| The Illinois St Andrews Society is a philanthropic society founded by Scots around 1840. This tartan was designed to mark their 150th anniversary.
We have chosen the Illinois St Andrews Society Corporate Tartan as our tartan as it symbolizes a merging of worlds with which our group members identify – our love of Scotch whisky and our ties to Illinois and Chicago. The tartan’s colors represent the State of Illinois Flag, the Chicago sports teams, and the St Andrew’s flag. |
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Castle |
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| Located in the Northern Highlands northeast of Alness between Alness and Tain is Balnagown Castle.
In the hall of the castle is one of Balnagown’s greatest treasures, the famous Wallace Chair. This impressive piece of medieval furniture is a sturdy wooden construction covered in deerskin. According to long tradition the Chair belonged to Sir William Wallace, the great Scottish patriot portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart. Balnagown’s resident ghost, Black Andrew Munro, was hanged from one of the castle windows for his dark doings, mostly with women. True to character, he appears mostly to the fairer sex. Nearby distilleries include Glenmorangie (Tain ~ 5 miles), Dalmore (Alness ~ 6 miles), and Teaninich (Alness ~ 7 miles). |
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