Robert R. Keith asked:
I have been trying to locate the distiller of a scotch that is called "Sir Robert the Keith" This lable was imported into the U.S. several years ago. Since my name is Robert Keith, Iwould like to have some of this lable. Your help in locating this distillery would be most appreciated

Charlie Says:

Dear Robert,

I know of no whisky called 'Sir Robert the Keith', past or present, although there was a Seagram's vatted malt called Keith Classic, or something (they have a huge bonded warehouse complex near the town of Keith on Speyside). It is a very curious name. The Keiths were the Earls Marischal (i.e. Marshall) to the Kings of Scots from around 1150 (custodians of the crown jewels and royal regalia), as you no doubt know. Their original lands were at 'Keth' or Keith in Lothian (so they were early described as 'de Keith'), and when there were granted estates in Aberdeenshire/Banfsshire in the 1200s, they took the name with them. There were several 'Sir Robert de Keith, the Marischal's - one of them commanded Robert Bruce's cavalry at Bannockburn in 1314, another escorted King David II to France. After that they were simply called 'The Earl Marischal' They are a fascinating bunch, your ancestors!

Keep searching!

Charles MacLean