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Why wait for International Women’s Day to applaud women? A special date is a good excuse, true, but it isn’t essential to pause to recognise the input of ladies and female-aligned persons to the beverage sector. Right?

After issuing a request on online networks to solicit the information of remarkable ladies who have careers in distilling, my messages overflowed with recommendations, media announcements and, very upliftingly, industry experts acknowledging their colleagues. “Improvements are occurring at recognizing female contributions for the tasks they accomplish,” spirits teacher and author observed, pointing out that master blender Nicol, who began her career decades ago, has just lately been in the spotlight. In a similar vein, Maureen Robinson, who worked in whisky for almost half a century, was honored by the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame as recently as 2020. “Additionally, there are more women studying Stem subjects, which is typically needed in jobs including distilling and blending.”

Encouragement from professionals is crucial to these women’s success, which is the context for the charitable initiative plays a role: this foundation, established in March 2022, assists women working in whisky internationally, and has the support of the entire field. Its focused publications is a bulletin for female successes in the field.

In terms of customers, are we seeing more women there, too? In the past several months, music star the famous artist was named as the fresh ambassador of the well-known brand, which, though it got varied responses from sector experts, emphasized a key fact: brands are targeting a women drinkers right at the nascence of their drinking habits, to develop the whisky drinkers of the coming years. This group is expanding, too: females currently represent 36% of whisky drinkers, up from just 15% in the 1990s. I inquired the expert, founder of a wine and spirits consultancy, if she’s noticed an uptake in her female clientele: “I have observed female interest grow, but distilled beverages remain ‘a separate domain: admired by many, yet infrequently added to their assortments,” she notes. “In the case of gentlemen, distilled beverages have historically had generational meaning – an inheritance from a parent, a celebration during important events – but ladies are frequently excluded from that story.”

Tours and tastings, for example, which tend to be built around clay shooting or fishing, seldom consider how alternative demographics, notably females, wish to engage. “What explains the presence of exclusive versions for Father’s Day, for example, but without equivalent for moms?” Ifaturoti asks. “The future step is the retail environment, and to craft experiences with women in mind in addition to males.”

Four Whiskies Shaped by Women

The Ten-Year Matured Spirit by Laphroaig Highly peated spirit from senior blender Sarah Dowling.

The Twelve-Year Black Label by Johnnie Walker Velvety, full-bodied and made by master blender Emma, the brand’s inaugural lady master.

Eco-Friendly Spirit by Nc’nean This woman-led company, started by the founder Annabel, takes its name from the queen of spirits.

The 1856 Expression from Uncle Nearest All syrup and sultanas, and made by multi-generational expert master blender Victoria.