Exclusive international Scotch whisky society Keepers of the Quaich has bestowed the rare and revered privilege of Master of the Quaich upon five new members this year. Allow SB to introduce you…

On 17 October the society welcomed 47 new Keepers and five Masters

The Keepers of the Quaich was founded in 1988 to promote the Scotch whisky industry across the globe by honouring those who have shown “outstanding commitment” to the category.

Twice a year the Society meets in the Highlands of Scotland at Blair Castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl, where Keepers and Masters are inducted at a ceremony by the Grand Master, Sarah Troughton.

On 17 October the society welcomed 47 new Keepers and five Masters, hailing from seventeen countries and amassing almost 1000 years of experience between them.

Keepers are “dedicated and passionate” people who have worked within the Scotch whisky industry for more than five years, and who are committed to achieving greater appreciation of the the spirit across the globe, while Masters are leading figures in the industry who have been “exceptionally constructive” in the 10 years since being inducted as Keeper, and have made an “outstanding contribution” to the industry.

Click through the following pages to learn more about the new Masters of the Quaich.

The Honourable Alexander Bruce

Managing director, Adelphi Distillery Ltd and The Ardnamurchan Distillery
“Alex, as he is better known, has a long and noble association with Keepers of the Quaich. His father, the Earl of Elgin was one of the original Patrons, and remains a constant supporter today. Alex started his career with J&B, before joining the independent bottlers, Adelphi Distillery Ltd in 2004 as Sales and Marketing Director. Under his stewardship he rapidly increased distribution to over twenty five countries.

“His finest achievement has been to oversee the design, planning and build of a brand new, greenfield distillery in Ardnamuchan. In July 2014, the Ardnamurchan Distillery opened utilising 100% local and renewable energy sources and has the capacity to produce 600,000 litres of alcohol per annum. Alex was rightly rewarded by being appointed Managing Director a year later.”

William Bullard OBE

Corporate relations director, Diageo Latin America & Caribbean
“Bill has spent an impressive thirty one years with Diageo. He is accountable in his region for the reputation of the company, including all media relations, public policy agenda, leadership in the promotion of responsible drinking and all interface on community and corporate affairs and communication. A defining achievement for Bill has been the establishment of Diageo’s Learning for Life programme in Latin America and the Caribbean which has significantly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands young adults.

“In 2011, under Bill’s stewardship, Diageo was awarded the Organisation of American States Trust’s top recognition in the Americas for contributions to community in education. Subsequently, in 2014 he was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for service to British Trade and Investment, and to recognise his outstanding achievements in championing Diageo’s Learning for Life programme.”

Colm McLoughlin

Executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Dubai Duty Free
“Colm began his illustrious career in Duty Free in Shannon in 1969 and has been involved for the past thirty three years as the head of the Dubai Duty Free, the largest single airport operation in the world. Dubai Duty Free employs over 6,000 people who generated sales of Scotch Whisky to the value of US$116 million last year.

“Colm has been recognised with countless awards, including the Frontier Lifetime Achievement award and was the first non-UAE National to receive the Most Distinguished Employee Award from the Dubai Government Excellence awards. In 2014, he was presented with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Award for Irish Diaspora for his outstanding contribution in the Business and Education category.

“Most recently Colm was named Retail CEO of the Year at the 10th CEO Middle East awards that took place in September contributing to his already impressive inventory.”

Baker Salleh

Chief executive officer, Sky Connection Ltd
“Baker has spent his entire career in the travel retail industry running duty free operations from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

“Since his return to Hong Kong to join Sky Connection in 2000, he has led the revitalization of Scotch Whisky at Duty Free shops in all airport, seaports and border crossings. With over 400,000 passengers per day passing through these transit points, Sky Connection is a vital shop window, especially to Taiwanese and People’s Republic of China consumers.

“In 2005, Baker launched an ultra-premium whisky classification at the Hong Kong Airport with a single malt whisky selling for €38,000 per bottle. This created headline news in Hong Kong and the classification has not looked back since.

“Baker’s vision has created a first class showcase and helped to power market share growth which will continue to sustain domestic market progress in the years to come.”

Tony Schofield

Director of public affairs, Chivas Brothers Ltd
“A great communicator and one of the industry’s most colourful characters, Tony joined Chivas Brothers as finance director in 2000. Diving in at the deep end he played an instrumental role in the acquisitions and integrations of both Chivas Brothers with Pernod-Ricard and Chivas with Allied Domecq.

“In 2008, Tony moved to Prague as CEO of Jan Becher where he became somewhat of a legend across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, not least for his handling of the ‘spirits crisis’ and leading the industry’s campaign to overturn government legislation banning sales of alcoholic beverages above 20%.

“Tony returned to the UK in 2015, and has since been an active member of several Scotch Whisky Association committees thus imparting his considerable expertise to the industry and as ever, making the world a better place in his own inimitable way.”