Greg Hughes inducted as Keeper of the Quaich at 70th Banquet Celebration

07 October 2025 – Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits, has announced a new inductee to the prestigious Keepers of the Quaich, an internationally recognised honour bestowed on those deemed to have made a significant contribution to the Scotch whisky industry.

Greg Hughes, President and CEO of Suntory Global Spirits, was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich at the Autumn 2025 Banquet on 6th October in recognition of his contribution and influential role within the Scotch whisky industry.

Hughes’ induction marks a decade at Suntory Global Spirits, initially joining as General Manager of the U.S. market before moving into different roles within the business and being appointed President and CEO in October 2023. He is responsible for leading the executive team and organisation, driving global growth, brand development and the continued heritage preservation of iconic brands such as Bowmore, Laphroaig and Teachers, globally.

Greg Hughes said: “It is an honor to be named a Keeper of the Quaich, and to hold one of the most prestigious titles in the Scotch whisky industry. It’s the perfect way to mark ten years at Suntory Global Spirits and reflects the pride and passion I have in the heritage and craftsmanship in each of our brands, particularly those which make up our iconic Scotch portfolio.”

Chris Richardson, Managing Director, Scotch & Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, and himself a Keeper of the Quaich since 2023, commented: “At Suntory Global Spirits, we pride ourselves on upholding the values of the Scotch industry and bringing its extraordinary craftsmanship to consumers around the world. This is consistent with the overall purpose and intent of Keepers of the Quaich, so I’m delighted to see such a well-deserved recognition for Greg as our CEO. Greg’s nomination reflects his passion and presence within the organisation and the wider industry over the past 10 years. I know Greg will be honoured to receive this recognition.”

About Keepers of the Quaich

Keepers of the Quaich is an exclusive international society which recognises, rewards, and celebrates those who have shown outstanding commitment to the Scotch Whisky industry, by working in, writing, or evangelising about it.

The Edinburgh-based Society receives applications for new members from all over the world to be inducted at a special ceremony twice a year at Blair Castle in Pitlochry. The Society has ten chapters around the world, in locations including Australia and Brazil, and there are currently 3,190 Keepers altogether.

www.keepersofthequaich.co.uk

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

Our currently live 173rd auction closes on Sunday night, leaving loads of time to get your bids in.  We’ve selected a few lots we feel are worth highlighting that you might have missed this month.  Best of luck in the auction everyone.

First we up we have a rather unusual bottling. Kingsbury (also known as the Kingsbury Wine & Spirits Company) was founded in Aberdeen in 1989 by the president of Japan Import System Co. Ltd, Katsuhiko Tanaka, and this little gem is the Speyside 1989 30 Year Old Kingsbury Special Anniversary.  Bottled to celebrate three decades of successful trading under the Kingsbury name, this Speyside single malt has spent 30 years ageing in a sherry butt and given Kingsbury’s reputation for selecting casks it is more than likely delicious too.

Whenever this one crosses my path I just have to highlight it, most definitley a bucket list dram, this is the Laphroaig 1980 27 Year Old Friends of Laphroaig Edition.  Distilled in 1980 and aged for twenty seven years in 5 Oloroso casks before being married together into this tremendous concoction, this bottle really is a beaut.  One of only 94 bottles released for the ‘Friends of Laphroaig’ community, this is also a marvelously rare release for any serious collectors out there.

Another absolute cracker from Islay now, this is the Bowmore 1957 38 Year Old.  Distilled way back in 1957 this extraordinary dram then spent almost four decades quietly slumbering in select oak casks in the now legendary Number 1 Vaults.  Rich and smooth Bowmore doesn’t traditionally pack the high peated punch of other Islay distilleries but the quality of the spirit they produce remains second to none on Islay, or anywhere else for that matter.

And finally, we have something special from the famed sixteen men of Tain, this is the Glenmorangie 1974 Pride 1L.  This bottling is one of only 503 bottles released, and boasts its contents being the oldest of all official Glenmorangie releases worldwide at 41 years of maturation. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, this piece is a collaborative effort with piano craftsmen, Steinway & Sons.  Their influence and contribution can be seen on the immaculate finishing and stature of the display case.  Truly a thing of beauty and a worthwhile addition to even the most exclusive of collections.As always, we have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites for your watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

Thinking of selling your bottles? 

We still offer 0% commission to all sellers making Scotch Whisky Auctions the best place to sell bottles. For all relevant information just click here.Having trouble with the button? Tap here to open WhatsApp.

Explore the Craigellachie Range

Discover the bold, characterful style of Craigellachie with a range that showcases its distinctive tropical fruit and malty depth. The 13 Year Old opens with vibrant notes of mango, pineapple and glazed ham, while the 17 Year Old brings creamy cereals, vanilla and charred oak.

The 23 Year Old completes the line-up with layers of malty sweetness and subtle herbal spice, lifted by hints of vanilla and menthol freshness. Every bottle showcases the distillery’s signature Speyside richness, combining depth, texture and individuality.

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Our newest Creators Collection is here. Peat Plants II: Elemental whiskies from Scotland’s Western Isles delves deep into the medicinal heart of peat across four bottlings from Islay and Mull.  These elemental drams howl with coastal character and blaze with untamed spirit. Try the ultimate flight in West Coast peat today.

VIEW THE COLLECTION

READ THE STORY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

ralfy review 1103 – Benromach Contrasts Certified Organic @46%vol:

To celebrate the launch of Brûlée Royale, we’ve partnered with the modern-day maverick pastry chef – world-renowned Dominique Ansel, creator of the Cronut, to reimagine crème brûlée for today. Dominique has developed an exclusive recipe inspired by Brûlée Royale. A Crème Brûlée Fondue, which invites you to dip apples, raspberries, pastries and more into a silky crème brûlée fondue, roll them in caramelised sugar shards, and savour every bite alongside a dram of our whisky. It’s a celebration of fire, flavour and indulgence, to be shared with friends around the table.

Kilchoman 2011 12 Year Old Oloroso Sherry

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

We’re bringing back a fan favorite! Virginia Distillery Co. has once again teamed up with Goose Island Beer Co. to create Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Cask Finish American Single Malt Whisky — the second edition of this collaboration.  The first edition recently earned Double Gold and 95 points at the 2025 Global Whisky Challenge.

Aged for over five years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in casks that once held Goose Island’s legendary Bourbon County Brand Stout, just twenty barrels were sourced for this release. The scent of rich mocha, banana bread, and honeyed nougat merges on the palate with malty beer, a hint of cinnamon, and lingering molasses.

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Available while supplies last. Free shipping over $100.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 581: Bunnahabhain 28 Year Old 1987 Berry Bros & Rudd

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes an exceptional Bunna. Recently, he was a guest at a very impressive tasting in Ghent, where the range of Berry Bros & Rudd was presented. The apotheosis of the tasting was this 28-year-old Bunnahabhain which – rightly – was bottled in the Exceptional Casks series. The cask was laid to rest when Mark wasn’t even of legal age, imagine that. Liquid history.

https://youtu.be/dxa2WJLMbAw