The KOTQ

Our own group is a tongue-in-cheek homage to the actual ‘Keepers of the Quaich’, but they aren’t that much older than we are – founded in 1988. The “real” Keepers of the Quaich, in essence, is a public relations vehicle of the entire Scotch whisky industry intended to promote the image of Scotch whisky worldwide. It is owned by the scotch distilleries and is the kind of collaboration that can only be born when tough financial times grip an entire industry and way of life. Whether or not it is a successful vehicle I will leave up to you as you review it’s background, mission, and key objectives.

One cool thing to note is their castle home complete with the Atholl Highlanders (the only legal private army in Britain) mounting a guard during their bi-annual ceremonies and banquets!

THE SOCIETY

The Keepers of the Quaich is an exclusive non-profit making society, with membership by invitation only, for people with a positive record of association with Scotch whisky. The society was established, in the Autumn of 1988, by the major companies in the industry to build on the image and prestige of Scotch whisky at home and abroad and, for the first time, the industry pooled its enormous resources and strengths to promote itself with pride.

The organisation includes as its members leading representatives of the Scotch whisky industry and those who have contributed to the successful marketing of Scotch whisky in fifty-four countries across the world, together with noted Scotch whisky connoisseurs and characters. All have one fundamental link in common – a love of Scotland and Scotch whisky.

MOTTO

The club motto awarded by the Lord Lyon is:

‘Uisgebeatha Gu Brath’

Gaelic, which means ‘The Water of Life For Ever’

BACKGROUND

For some years Scotch whisky sales, and indeed the image of Scotch whisky per se, had been in decline. Conversely, other beverage types had enjoyed growth, in part at the expense of Scotch. The time had come, therefore, for the industry to unite more effectively market their unique product so that once again Scotch whisky could become a powerful growth sector with worldwide sales expanding and jobs in Scotland created. There were many different initiatives required to be taken individually and collectively by the industry to reverse the situation and many of these would primarily depend on the expertise of the individual Scotch whisky companies. It was nevertheless, strongly believed that a carefully projected and exclusive PR vehicle built around the aura, mystique and heritage of Scotch whisky would play a significant and positive part in helping to re-establish the image of Scotch whisky.

MISSION STATEMENT

“To advance the standing and prosperity of one of Britain’s premier export industries, and to make more widely known its uniqueness, traditions, quality, service and benefits to the community it serves at home and in the markets of the world.”

KEY OBJECTIVES

1) To build interest in, and add value and prestige to, Scotch whisky both at home and internationally.

2) To influence the leaders of the drinks industry in order to gain a greater amount of their time and energy in promoting sales of Scotch whisky.

3) To reward individuals for their services to the Scotch whisky industry.

4) To motivate and stimulate the press to project Scotch whisky in a more favorable and positive light.

5) To bring together and unite all areas of the Scotch whisky business and engender a greater sense of belonging.

METHODOLOGY

In recognition of services to Scotland and the Scotch whisky industry, a limited number of carefully selected people are twice yearly invited to become members of this exclusive society.

Membership is conferred at an induction ceremony followed by a banquet at Blair Castle in Scotland. The induction ceremonies take place in the spring and autumn.

BLAIR CASTLE

Blair Castle the ancient home and fortress of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl is situated in the wide Strath of Garry and commands a strategic position on the main route through the central Highlands. It lies on the northern side of the Perth – Inverness road in a wild and romantic setting of forest-clad mountains and picturesque rivers.

GRAND MASTER
George J Bull, Group Chief Executive, Grand Metropolitan PLC

CHAIRMAN
Richard Waitling

VICE CHAIRMAN
Andrew Dewar-Durie

MASTER OF CEREMONIES (FEAR AN TIGH)
Sir Anthony Greener

PIPER
Tom Thomson

Here’s the gist of the International Order of the “Companions of the Quaich” (edited slightly). I offer these FAQ’s in the ‘spirit’ of the ‘cork’. You may view this site directly at www.thequaich.com.

What is the Society?

The Companions of the Quaich is a non-profit society dedicated to promoting and sharing knowledge and enjoyment of Single Malt Whisky.

Who are the Companions?

The Companions are an eclectic group of ladies and gentlemen who share a common interest in, and a passion for, the malt whiskies of Scotland and the world.

What are its aims and objectives?

To encourage, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a greater awareness of the history and methods of malt whisky distilling, and to make available brands that are not normally sold in provincial liquor stores.

How is this achieved?

Through regular dinners and tastings at which three different malts are presented by knowledgeable members, special guest presenters and malt masters or head distillers from other countries.

How is it international?

By our affiliation with other malt whisky societies around the world — currently 13 chapter in Canada.

Is the Society different from other malt whisky groups?

It is distinguished from other societies by the number of events held and our value-for-money pricing (coincidentally, it’s $40 CND). The Companions meet for dinner and tastings up to 12 times a year, and our whiskies are sold to members at cost, with no mark-ups or commission charges. Also, our malts are aged for a minimum of 15 years (except for cask-strength versions).

How do I join?
Simply contact us and we will send you an application form to fill in and return (view this on their site).

Cheers.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a private membership club dedicated to the “discerning appreciation and consumption of the most rare and unique of single malt whiskies; unfiltered, single cask, single malt Scotch whisky”.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was formed in 1983 by a small group of Scottish connoisseurs who had discovered the “superiority” of whisky taken straight from the cask. In flavor and, of course, in strength these whiskies are markedly different from the commercially bottled versions, which have been chill-filtered and diluted. This group of Edinburgh whisky drinkers had access to malts of the very highest quality. They purchased for their onw use unusually fine casks which they then bottled without any intervening process of filtration or dilution (as usually happens with bottled spirit). Because the contents of each cask were bottled separately, the individuality of the cask became apparent in the taste of the whisky.

To join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America, you must be at least 25 years of age upon payment of the initial membership fee of $179.00, which includes the purchase price of one 750ml bottle of “an extremely rare and unique malt whisky never to be avaliable again”. There is a $35.00 annual fee/subscription and membership is renewable annually on the anniversary of your enrollment.

Members receive regular newsletters listing the current bottlings available to the society. In addition members receive bottling lists and a gift catalog. Membership also entitles members to visit the three main venues of the Society, two in Edinburgh, Scotland (with their headquarters being The Vaults, in Leith, a port of Edinburgh) and one in London, England.

In addition, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society also hosts whisky tastings for members and guests worldwide. There actually was a tasting on 9/29 at the Union Club of Chicago.

For discussion at our 3rd Quarter 2005 meeting, I am providing some detail about the significance of the Scotch Whisky Association.

The SWA is essentially a trade organization. It’s the main organization that represents the interests of the scotch whisky industry as a whole in Great Britain and overseas. The SWA is comprised of members that represent the industry: distillers, blenders, brokers, brand owners, etc. Overall, the SWA believes it’s current membership represents 95% of the scotch whisky market. The organization is the primary voice for the interests of the scotch whisky industry.

The existence of the SWA has dated back to 1917, but the association didn’t incorporate until 1960. With incorporation, the organization raised its standing to carry out legal proceedings, especially overseas. With the strengthening of its relationship with the rest of Europe, it has been able to influence legislation which has helped to, among other things, 1) keep the identify of scotch whisky intact by covering standards for labeling, marketing, and packaging, 2) review production issues relating to safety, environment, and 3) represent the industry in the tax treatment of scotch whisky.

The SWA has 12-16 members, elected annually by the members, and then the Council further establishes committees to help advise the Council on the different aspects of its work. The main office is in Edinburgh and a second office is in London.

In short, the SWA’s principal functions, as quoted from their website at http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk, are:
· To promote Scotch Whisky as a quality product made of natural ingredients.
· To protect the image and integrity of Scotch Whisky throughout the world.
· To represent the industry’s interests to the British Government and to overseas governments.
· To fight tax discrimination and trade barriers against Scotch Whisky.

I haven’t been to Sam’s lately (although they are building a Sam’s in Highland Park in an old Dominick’s building now–just dangerously too close for me), but I did find that you can obtain Laphroaig Quarter Cask bottles from Binnys for a cool $47. Laphroaig has even dedicated a section of their website to the spirit:

http://www.laphroaig.com/qc/index.htm