Prime Minister's US gift highlights Scotch

By Conal Gregory MW

Published: 27 January, 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May's presentation of a quaich to new US President Donald Trump at the White House today (27 January) is hoped to deliver a further boost to growing value of Scotch whisky exports to US

A quaich, pronounced quake, is a Scottish drinking bowl, originally a type of mazer, carved out of wood in stave formation, which was later silver-mounted and then developed entirely into a silver piece. It has a shallow circular form with a rim foot. Usually it has two horizontal handles which signal friendship between the giver and receiver who share the drink - expected to be Scotch whisky.

The custom was started in the Highlands by clan chiefs prior to the 1603 union between England and Scotland.

Whilst Trump is a teetotaller after apparently seeing the effects of excessive alcohol on his older brother, the quaich carries symbolism. It recognises the Scottish origin of the President's mother who came from Lewis in the Western Isles but also Scotch whisky, one of the most tangible exports that will form part of any UK post-Brexit deal.

In openly accepting the diplomatic gift, Trump will effectively give a much needed publicity fillip to Scotch. With its intellectual property rights recognised in the US, Scotch brand owners are optimistic that sales will gain further recognition. One leading distiller plans to use the quaich gift as an opportunity to run a nationwide competition for an antique version.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, Scotch sales to the US in the first nine months last year (the most recent figures available) show a marked upturn in value of 12.6 per cent on the previous period to £563 million but a slight fall in volume of -1.5 per cent to 81m bottles (70cl at 40 per cent ABV). In 2015, sales were flat at £749m which was represented by 116.4m bottles.

May's choice of present is likely to have rather more success than Blair's sponge bag to George W Bush.

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