Keepers of the Quaich Celebrate Scotch Whisky In New York

On the evening of November 5th, scotch whisky’s leading lights gathered at New York City’s Metropolitan Club for the annual dinner of the U.S. chapter of the Keepers of the Quaich, the Scotland-based society that honors and recognizes the distillers, writers, marketers, ambassadors, and evangelists of the scotch whisky industry.

The Keepers induct new members at ceremonies held twice a year at Blair Castle in Scotland. (Whisky Advocate editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken was one of the original inductees at the first Keepers ceremony in 1988.) In addition to those two events in Scotland, the U.S. chapter holds this annual dinner, a night steeped in Scottish tradition, including haggis, bagpipes, poems, and, of course, drams.

This year, the evening started with a cocktail hour in the Metropolitan Club's Grand Hall, where tasting stations were arranged throughout the marbled space and a three-piece band played on the grand staircase as attendees sipped some extraordinary scotch single malts and blends.

Twenty-four whiskies, along with Dewar’s 12 Highballs and Perrier-Jouët champagne, were poured over the course of the evening. Age statements were a prominent feature, with notable labels including Dewar’s Double Double 21 year old Stone Toasted, Royal Salute 21 year old, Glenlivet 25 year old, Laphroaig 30 year old, and Glenfiddich 31 year old Grand Chateau. Among the pours were some drams of distinction, which have received high marks from our tasting panel over the years. The list included Johnnie Walker Blue Label (97 points), Octomore 16.2 (95 points), Lagavulin Grain & Embers from the 2025 Diageo Special Releases Collection (94 points), Bruichladdich 18 year old (94 points), and Ardbeg 17 year old (92 points).

After the cocktail hour, the guests proceeded into the adjoining West Lounge ballroom for dinner. The official program kicked off with a medley of bagpipe music and an opening address from Keepers U.S.A. executive director Kathleen DiBenedetto of Suntory, who welcomed everyone and raised a toast with a Bowmore 15 year old Sherry Oak Cask.

After that, “Braveheart” actor and industry veteran Andrew Weir, who previously worked on both Balvenie and Aberlour and co-founded Martingale cognac, gave an impassioned recitation of poet Robert Burns’ “Address to The Haggis.” Then the haggis—a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep offal—was marched into the room to the sound of bagpipes. Weir, dagger in hand, cut it open and delivered a toast. The haggis was then served and washed down with a dram of Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva.

Next came two more toasts. The first was delivered by Diageo North America's Ed Pilkington, who called upon all assembled to work together to grow the scotch industry. Then came the “toast to absent friends,” which was made in honor of those who could not attend the banquet. The toast came with a somber dedication to two recently departed industry leaders, including Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) executive Bob Hendrickson and Vern Underwood, longtime president of distributor Young's Holdings.

Following the toasts, chapter treasurer Mahesh Patel took to the podium to introduce the banquet’s keynote speaker: Torquhil Ian Campbell, the Duke of Argyll and Chief of Campbell. The Duke—who works with Pernod Ricard on the Royal Salute blended scotch label, and has captained the Chivas elephant polo team—spoke about the importance of camaraderie within the scotch industry, as well as the impact of tariffs on the market.

“It is a genuine privilege to share a room with so many passionate guardians of scotch whisky here under the umbrella of the American chapter of the Keepers of the Quaich," he said. “We gather not merely to enjoy exceptional drams, but to celebrate a bond. A bond forged in friendship, respect, and an enduring appreciation for heritage.”

Following the Duke’s address, Melissa Linehan from RNDC presented a charitable donation to Rory Hedderly, head of business development for Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation—a charity that aims to foster entrepreneurship in Scotland through scholarships and internship opportunities—which was accompanied by a pour of Highland Park 18 year old.

As the night drew to a close, singers from the Burns Distilled performance group sang a collection of popular Scottish songs. Sticking with what’s become an informal tradition at these dinners, they ended with “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Scottish rock duo The Proclaimers—often jokingly referred to as Scotland’s unofficial national anthem—which the whole room joined in singing, drams in hand.

Keepers of the Quiach USA Banquet 2025 Scotch List

Cocktail Hour Pours

Aberfeldy 15 year old Bolgheri Tuscan Cask Finish Highland Single Malt
Ardbeg 17 year old Islay Single Malt
Bruichladdich 18 year old Islay Single Malt
Buchanan’s Green Seal Blended
Dewar’s Double Double 21 year old Stone Toasted French Oak Blended
Glenfiddich 16 year old Aston Martin Formula One Highland Single Malt
Glenfiddich 31 year old Grand Chateau Highland Single Malt
Glenlivet 25 year old Speyside Single Malt
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices Highland Single Malt
Glenrothes 18 year old Speyside Single Malt
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended
Lagavulin Grain & Embers Islay Single Malt (Diageo Special Releases 2025)
Laphroaig 30 year old Islay Single Malt
Laphroaig Elements 3.0 Islay Single Malt
Macallan Sherry Oak 110 Proof Highland Single Malt
Octomore 16.3 Islay Single Malt
Roseisle Harmonic Grace Speyside Single Malt (Diageo Special Releases 2025)
Royal Salute 21 year old Blended

Dinner Drams

Bowmore 15 year old Sherry Oak Cask Islay Single Malt
Dewar’s Double Double 38 year old Blended Malt
Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva Highland Single Malt
Glenlivet 21 year old Speyside Single Malt
Highland Park 18 year old Island Single Malt
Oban 15 year old Cask Strength Highland Single Malt