NB Spirits Festival organizer to receive whisky industry honour

Liquor aficionados from across the world are in Fredericton this weekend for the 20th annual NB Spirits festival, and this year, one of the driving forces behind the event, got the surprise of a lifetime.

Frank Scott has been the festival's chairman since its small beginnings to what is now a five-day event that attracts hundreds of people and some of the world's best distillers.

Scott, a renowned whiskey pub owner, was told at a festival tasting event Friday that he will be inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich, an exclusive society that, according to itswebsite, "recognizes those that have shown outstanding commitment to the scotch whisky industry." (A quaich is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel.)

The society has 3,000 members worldwide, about 30 of whom are in Canada.

"For five years now I have worked very hard to make sure that Frank gets an honour bestowed on him that he deserves," said Peter Mielzynski, owner of PMA Canada, a wine and spirit importer.

Scott said of the distinction, "You see the people getting it and you say, 'Oh that would be really nice.' But I never really thought about awards. I do this for a passion."

Scott will head to Blair Castle in Scotland in April to be formally inducted as a keeper.