Top 10 women in whisky
From bloggers and event organisers to distributors and distillers there are plenty of women doing their bit to shake up the typically perceived male dominated world of whisky.
Amy Seton
In his 2013 book release, Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey, US writer Fred Minnick details how it was women, not men, who were responsible for changing the face of the Scotch whisky industry and turning distilleries into thriving businesses.
Not only did women invent the first stills, but were heavily involved in managing and modernising distilleries to increase their production capacity.
Notable influential characters, Minnick said, included Elizabeth Cumming who owned the Cardow (Cardhu) distillery in Speyside in the late 19th century, and Bessie Williamson, who owned Laphroaig in Islay in the 20th century.
Today women are once again leading the charge on many whisky fronts, be it from a managerial, blending, brand, blogging or retail whisky perspective.
According to Elizabeth Finn, Diageo category director of whiskies in Western Europe, nearly a third (29%) of all whisky drinkers in the UK are women.
However there is still a stigma that the world of whisky is dominated by men, according to Amy Seton, a woman credited with building Birmingham’s now thriving whisky scene from scratch.
In 2011 Amy stepped away from corporate life with a passion and idea to change the face of whisky in Birmingham. Through building up a network of distillers and local venues Amy started running whisky events across the UK’s and set up The Birmingham Whisky Club.
On average Amy hosts over 30 whisky themed events per year across the city ranging from distillery tastings to food and whisky matching experiences and in 2013 launched the first Birmingham’s first whisky festival which was attended by over 250 people with whisky from 15 distillers.
Late 2013 saw the birth of Birmingham’s Whisky Women which brings together a diverse group women and introduces them to the world of whisky.
Scroll through to see Seton’s pick of women making their mark in the world of whisky…
Do you know a whisky woman worthy of a mention? Leave a comment below.
Regional to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky – Molly Wellmann is the leading lady in the cocktail/whiskey scene!
Liza Weisstuch is one of many fine whiskey writers and judges.
How about Liza Weisstuch. She is an editor of Whisky Magazine for the US, writes for Whisky Advocate as a contributor as well as a freelance drinks writer; a driving force behind Whisky Live events, plus a World Whisky Awards competition judge for 5 years. Probably should be on your radar.
Great list. Could we add the great unsung hero(ine) of the whisky press, Liza Weisstuch, US editor of Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate contributor, freelance drinks writer for many international mags and papers; a driving force behind Whisky Live and the World Whiskies Conference, and international whisky judge; Johanne McInnis, whisky blogger, writer, whisky judge, and personality; and Tish Harcus, Canadian Club brand ambassador and 2014 Icons of Whisky winner. In fact there are so many women making important contributions to the whisky world today that a list of the top 100 would not be long enough.
And of course, the ever-brilliant Martine Nouet.
Great list! I agree with DavindeK, Chuck Cowdery, and Ryan Maloney. Really need to add Liza Weisstuch, to the list . She is a marvelous drinks writer and seems to have her hand in all things whiskey … from her contributions to Whiskey Advocate, and her service as US editor for Whiskey Magazine and her wonderful freelance work. Much of her service is behind the scenes … working on Whiskey Live events, judging competitions for the World Whiskey Awards and the Craft Distillers in the US, Her whiskey prose is magnificent and her behind the scene work is substantial.
I echo all the gents’ thoughts on Liza. She’s a whiskey girl all over.
Christine Crnek, CEO of the company that invented the NEAT glass should definitely be in your list! The NEAT glass is scientifically designed to quickly dissipate off the nose numbing alcohol and lets you enjoy the beverage that the distiller intended for you. Less annoying nose burn makes this glass a must have for new drinkers and people with sensitive noses.
The ability to linger over the glass and discern the ingredients of a carefully crafted whisky improves the overall experience.
Christine’s passion for this approach to the whisky experience has spread. The glass is used in judging events like The New York Spirits Competition, the SIP awards and restaurants like Delmonico’s.
Christine should be on the list for introducing a new way to enjoy whisky to the world.
Cheers!
This is a wonderful list! Absolutely love The Lore of Whisky.
Wanted to add another fantastic whisky woman…
Maker’s Mark VP of Distillery Operations, Victoria MacRae-Samuels has more than 20 years of experience in the spirits industry and holds the unique distinction of being the only woman to currently hold the title of vice president of operations of a bourbon distillery. Quite amazing!
A big congrats to Rachel Barrie from MBD, a Savona Communications client, and to Cara Laing who I used to work with also. Fine ladies of whisky. And wanted to add a shout to Liza Weisstuch as well who is a top notch whisky writer thru and thru.
The description of Bessie Williamson’s contribution leaves a lot to be desired.
She was profoundly amazing. If it wasn’t for her, during WWII, the MoD would
have closed down Laphroaig so they could store munitions there, dismantled
the stills to repurpose the copper, and we probably wouldn’t have Laphroaig
today. I can’t bear to even imagine such a horror!. Instead, she convinced the
MoD to let her keep the stills running (to generate lots of lovely excise tax for
them). She also convinced them to build new warehouses for their munitions
(which now store lovely Laphroaig). So during WWII she ran Laphroaig as a
distillery as well as a clandestine munitions facility. And, as an encore, she
was instrumental in convincing the world’s whisky market (particularly the
USA) that everybody should be drinking single malt whisky rather than blends.
If Bessie isn’t #1 on any list of Whisky Women, the list is flawed. She deserves
a Nobel prize for services to whisky!
I do not see the names of the ladies who have probably done more for whisky than the others in the photos. Kay Fleming, Distillery Manager at Blair Athol Distillery and Sarah Burgess, distillery Manager at Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland. These are the ladies in charge of producing the whisky., and have worked in various parts of the process and have been with Diageo for a great many years.
Not sure about such a list without Rachel McNeill . Many great women undoubtedly , but Rachel was first in Whisky for Girls development
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