Industry figures react to Malcolm Offord's ‘whisky knighthood’
A number of members of an exclusive international whisky society have criticised the award of a ‘whisky knighthood’ to the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Lord Malcolm Offord writes Rosalind Erskine.
Lord Offord, who leads the party at Holyrood after being elected as an MSP earlier this month, has been named a ‘Keeper of the Quaich’, which honours those around the world who have made an “outstanding and continuous” contribution to the industry.
Lord Offord was nominated four years ago when he was chairman of the Borders distillery, a position he held from 2015 until his resignation in 2021, and received the accolade at the Keepers of the Quaich spring banquet at Blair Caste in March.
The organisation said The Keepers of the Quaich was a “politically neutral” organisation with the same rules upheld for all those nominated “without fear or favour”.
But, some current Keepers say they are considering leaving the society in light of Lord Offord’s honour amid concerns about mixing politics and Scotch.
Keeper of the Quaich Mark Thomson, a former brand ambassador and whisky industry expert of over 20 years, said: “When I first discovered Offord's induction, I had mixed feelings. Whilst this honour should celebrate those who unify and inspire within the whisky world, I am deeply troubled by the Reform Party’s broader pattern of extremist language.
“Whilst politics should not overshadow the honour, Offord’s rhetoric along with past exclusionary remarks, risks dividing the nation and weaponising minority groups. This is far from the oath we take as Keepers.
“I find it morally objectionable to induct this man with his political stance such as it is. Therefore, I would question any group wanting to associate themselves with him to represent their values. Is this a long-term political move by the organisation itself? If so, aligning with this particular party doesn’t sit well with me and Keepers of the Quaich is not an organisation I would want to be associated with much longer. Renouncing my lifetime membership is something I am seriously considering.”
While others have expressed their concern privately, they have been reluctant to speak publicly given that most Keepers work for big name brands who have paid for them to be inducted into the society.
In order to become a Keeper of the Quaich, you must have worked in the Scotch industry continuously for seven years and your application must be approved and seconded by two existing Keepers. At the time, Lord Offord was nominated for the title, a five-year contribution to the whisky world was required.
Acceptance of a proposed Keeper is at the discretion of the management committee - which includes employees of Diageo, Ian Macleod Distillers, Chivas, William Grant and Sons, Whyte and Mackay and Edrington - with their decision is final
Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation and Keeper since 2016, said: “The Scotch whisky industry has made huge strides in the last decade towards creating an inclusive space that welcomes both drinkers and staff with open arms. The Keepers of the Quaich recognises those who have made a lasting positive contribution to Scotch.
“The induction of a representative of a political party that has pledged to reverse human rights, abolish diversity and inclusion initiatives and introduce limits on access to abortion, is not in keeping with the scope of the society, nor the future aims of the wider Scotch whisky industry.”
Fellow Keeper, Felipe Schrieberg said: “In my time working in the whisky industry, I’ve been impressed by the shift it has made to accommodate new and diverse voices as well as working towards net zero carbon emissions. Admitting the head of a political party in Scotland whose policy platform is in direct conflict with that progress therefore undermines it, and is also in conflict with the Keepers’ commitment to political neutrality.”
Lord Offord was nominated while still a Conservative peer. Documents seen by The Scotsman show that it was Laurence John Fordyce, the former director of the Borders Distillers Company who nominated Lord Offord.
While other politicians have become honorary Keepers by attending a banquet as a speaker, it is understood that Mr Offord is the only politician to be nominated and approved as a member of the whisky industry.
His keepership came just weeks before the Scottish parliamentary elections, with Mr Offord hitting the headlines after making a homophobic ‘joke’ - described by First Minister John Swinney as ‘completely unacceptable’. Lord Offord was also described by political opponents as ‘tone deaf’ when boasting about his six houses, six boats and five cars.
This was also at a time when Reform UK policies came under widespread scrutiny, with the party planning to freeze 'non-essential' immigration, ban 'transgender ideology' in schools, leave the European Convention on Human Rights and scrap net zero targets. The latter poses questions for the Scotch whisky industry as it has its own 2023 net zero targets set out by the Scotch Whisky Association.
Krisitane Westray said Lord Offord’s honour was also a matter of inclusion and optics. Ms Westray, who campaigns for whisky to be for everyone and more inclusive, said: “While I’m not a Keeper myself, I was painfully disappointed to learn about Malcolm Offord’s induction to the society.“
“Keepers is a prestigious organisation, highly regarded within the whisky industry, and many consider it the pinnacle of Scotch. To align itself with Malcolm Offord and Reform UK Scotland feels wildly at odds with the modern whisky industry.“
“In recent years, whisky has become much more diverse, more inclusive and more welcoming. A decision like this erodes that progress. Reform is clearly campaigning to roll back rights of women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people.
“How can we say whisky is for all of us if Keepers welcomes in someone like Offord?”
Whisky writer Claire Vokins has published an open letter via her substack and is asking others in the industry to sign it. In a social media post, Ms Vokins said it is “not to demand that Mr Offord be removed as a Keeper but to qualify his appointment.”
A spokesperson for The Keepers of the Quaich said: “The Keepers of the Quaich is a politically neutral organisation that recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Scotch Whisky industry.“
“Nominations are based on clear criteria and require a minimum of seven years’ service in the industry and nomination by at least two existing Keepers of the Quaich. The terms upon which nominations are based are clearly set out on the Society website.
“These rules exist to preserve the integrity of The Keepers of the Quaich society and are upheld for every individual who is nominated without fear or favour.”
Reform UK have been contacted for comment.
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