Introduction – A new era for an old drink
Since the 1800s, whisky was portrayed as “a man’s drink”. It is rugged, strong and smoky. Images of leather chairs, cigars, and other masculine items are associated with it. Today, there is a major shift. Women aren’t just drinking whisky – they’re blending, judging, writing, and leading this industry.
This is not a trend. This is a change.
Women have always been here.
Despite its male-dominated image, it has always included women in the story of whisky.
- Remote women ran many illegal distilleries in 18th-century Scotland and Ireland.
- While men were working in cities and farms, women passed on family distilling secrets to their daughters.
- Bessie Williamon became, in the 20th Century, the First Woman to Manage a Scotch Whisky Distillery (Laphroaig).
Their contributions have often been overlooked- until now.
The Modern Leaders of the Whisky World
Women are now breaking down glass ceilings at distilleries, in boardrooms and on tasting panels.
Rachel Barrie
Scotland’s first woman Master Blender. She is known for her work on BenRiach and Glenglassaugh.
Emma Walker
The first woman to be Master Mixer at Johnnie-Walker, the most iconic whisky brand in the world.
Allison Parc
Founding Brenne Whisky, a French whisky known for its use of organic barley and Cognac barrels.
Jackie Zykan
A former master taster of Old Forester Bourbon – a powerful American whiskey that has a cult.
Women are also leading sensory sciences, distilling innovations, marketing strategy and whiskey journalism.
How Women Are Changing The Way Whisky is Enjoyed
Women are changing the way whisky is appreciated and marketed.
- Challenge stereotypes: No more “girly” drinks versus “manly” drinks — whisky for all.
- Women’s changing taste preferences. They are increasingly interested in elegant, subtle and complex whiskies. This includes Japanese, Lowland Scotch and cask-finished whiskies.
- Host tastings and clubs. All-woman whisky clubs are on the rise, from New York to Nairobi.
Social media also helps to amplify diverse whisky voices. This makes the space more inclusive and creative.
Why Women-Only Whisky Spaces Matter
It is important to create welcoming, safe environments for women where they can enjoy and learn about whisky without being judged. These spaces:
- Encourage confidence when tasting and talking about whisky.
- Encourage networking for professionals in an industry dominated by men.
- Create to represent in the future.
They’re about levelling the playing field, not excluding men. They are about equating the playing field.
Numbers tell the story.
- In the U.S., women make up more than 35 per cent of whisky users — a figure that has steadily grown during the last decade.
- Women are increasingly enrolling in accredited whisky education programs, becoming sommeliers and critics and even owning distilleries.
- Brands like Macallan and Glenfiddich, as well as Jack Daniel’s, are now tailoring campaigns to different audiences. No more “man cave” clichés.
Final Sip: Whisky’s Future is Inclusive
Women’s interest in whisky is not a gimmick or a fad but a natural evolution of a spirit that was meant to be enjoyed, shared and reimagined.
The world of whisky is richer and more diverse than ever.
It’s worth toasting.
