Women, Whisky and ‘The Other Room’: Shattering Barriers in Distilled Beverages

Is it necessary to wait for a global celebration of women to celebrate ladies? A special date serves as a fine reason, true, but it isn’t essential to pause to appreciate the input of ladies and female-aligned persons to the drinks industry. Right?

Upon making an appeal on online networks to ask for the contacts of motivating females who have careers in distilling, my email was inundated with names, publicity materials and, very upliftingly, whisky professionals commending their contemporaries. “Progress is being made at acknowledging ladies’ work for the tasks they accomplish,” spirits teacher and author noted, highlighting that blender Margaret Nicol, who began her career way back in 1974, has just in recent times been recognized publicly. Likewise, industry veteran Robinson, who was involved in distilling for more than 45 years, was inducted into the prestigious industry hall in the recent past. “Moreover, we see more ladies pursuing technical and scientific fields, which is usually a requirement in positions like whisky production.”

Support from within the industry is crucial to these ladies’ accomplishments, which is where the non-profit organization plays a role: this charitable entity, established in March 2022, helps ladies in distilling worldwide, and has the support of the wider industry. Its specialized content is a bulletin for female successes in the sector.

Regarding drinkers, are we noticing more female participants, too? A few months ago, music star the renowned performer was appointed as the fresh ambassador of the famous distillery, which, though it was met with differing opinions from industry professionals, emphasized a key fact: distilleries are appealing to a women drinkers at the start of their drinking habits, to cultivate the whisky drinkers of the coming years. That audience is growing, too: women now make up a significant portion of distillery patrons, rising compared to just 15% in the 1990s. I questioned the founder, founder of Cellar Atelier, if she’s noticed an increase in her women customers: “I have noticed lady involvement increase, but whisky still feels like ‘a separate domain: admired by many, yet rarely included in their purchases,” she says. “For many men, spirits have traditionally held heritage value – a legacy from previous generations, a ritual at key moments – but ladies are frequently excluded from that story.”

Tours and tastings, for example, which tend to be built around outdoor pursuits, seldom consider how different groups, particularly ladies, desire to participate. “How come there are exclusive versions for a day for dads, say, but without equivalent for moms?” Ifaturoti asks. “The next frontier is the marketplace, and to design interactions with females considered alongside gentlemen.”

Several Whiskeys Defined by Ladies

Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky Highly peated spirit from master distiller Dowling.

The Twelve-Year Black Label by Johnnie Walker Velvety, full-bodied and produced by expert distiller Walker, the brand’s inaugural lady master.

The Organic Single Malt from Nc’nean This female-founded brand, established by the founder Annabel, is named for the female deity of beverages.

Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey Rich with sweet notes, and made by multi-generational expert expert Butler.