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Vikki Bruce
honoured as Keeper of the Quaich at
Blair Castle ceremony.
Vikki Bruce,
Managing Director of whisky specialist
MacLean & Bruce, has been inducted as a
Keeper of the Quaich at the Society’s
70th Ceremony and Banquet at Blair
Castle, recognising her outstanding
contribution to the Scotch whisky
industry.
Since founding MacLean & Bruce in 2013
alongside Charles MacLean MBE, Bruce has
built the company into a leading name in
luxury whisky experiences. What began as
a venture to introduce international
visitors to Scotland’s whisky culture
has evolved into a multifaceted business
offering bespoke bottling's, private
cask opportunities, and access to
exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences
with some of the country’s most revered
distilleries.
Under her leadership, MacLean & Bruce
has become known for its blend of
discretion, authenticity, and deep
industry connection. Bruce has also
cultivated strong working relationships
with producers and regulatory bodies,
and is an active advocate for integrity
and stronger standards within the Scotch
whisky sector.
The Keepers of the Quaich, established
by the Scotch whisky industry, honours
individuals who have shown exceptional
commitment to the production, promotion,
or protection of Scotch. Since its
inception, the Society has welcomed over
3,000 Keepers from more than 100
countries, representing centuries of
collective knowledge and passion for
Scotland’s national spirit.
For Bruce, the honour carries personal
significance as well as professional
recognition. Her induction continues a
family legacy closely intertwined with
the Society’s history. Her
father-in-law, Andrew Bruce, 11th Earl
of Elgin, played a key role in shaping
the character of the banquets, famously
declaring the early events "a little bit
boring" before introducing song and
performance to liven the atmosphere. He
later served as Grand Master of the
Society, a role now held by Charles,
Lord Bruce, Vikki’s brother-in-law, who
continues the family tradition of
ensuring lively participation — famously
encouraging guests to stand on tables
during celebrations.
Her husband, Alex Bruce (Managing
Director of Adelphi Selection and
Ardnamurchan Distillery), is a Master of
the Quaich, as is her long-time business
partner and whisky authority Charles
MacLean MBE. Vikki’s induction thus
joins a family and professional legacy
steeped in dedication to Scotch whisky.
Speaking after the ceremony, Vikki Bruce
said: "Becoming a Keeper of the Quaich
is a great honour, made even more
meaningful by my family’s connections
with the Society. From my
father-in-law’s role in shaping the
character of the banquets, to Alex and
Charlie’s involvement as Masters, the
society is quite personal to us and it’s
a privilege to play part of this ongoing
legacy. At MacLean & Bruce, our mission
is to uphold the integrity and heritage
of Scotch while opening doors for
enthusiasts around the world, and my
induction reflects that commitment."
Aristotelis Baroutsis, Chair of the
Society, added: "The banquet celebrates
the unique and collegiate nature of the
Scotch whisky industry and inducts new
Keepers from all around the world. At
the ceremony we inducted 48 new Keepers
from no less than 17 different countries
which demonstrates the continued
popularity of Scotch Whisky."
Founded by Vikki Bruce and Charles
MacLean, MacLean & Bruce remains a
trusted authority in rare and fine
whisky, curating immersive journeys for
discerning clients and overseeing
private cask sales with transparency and
expertise — upholding the spirit of
Scotch with integrity, tradition, and
imagination.
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