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Is it necessary to wait for a global celebration of women to celebrate women? A commemorative day offers a valid pretext, true, but we don’t need to wait to recognise the contributions of female and female-identifying individuals to the spirits world. Right?

Upon making an appeal on social media to request the details of motivating females who are employed in the whiskey industry, my messages overflowed with suggestions, publicity materials and, most hearteningly, whisky professionals praising their peers. “Progress is being made at giving women credit for the work they do,” spirits teacher and author commented, pointing out that whisky expert Margaret, who entered the field way back in 1974, has just lately been in the spotlight. In a similar vein, industry veteran Robinson, who was involved in distilling for almost half a century, was honored by the spirits recognition list just a few years ago. “Additionally, there are more ladies pursuing Stem subjects, which is often necessary in roles such as whisky production.”

Support from within the industry is crucial to these female achievements, which is the context for the OurWhisky Foundation plays a role: this non-profit, established in recently, helps women working in whisky internationally, and has the support of the wider industry. Its specialized content is a update for female successes in the field.

On the consumer side of things, are we seeing more lady enthusiasts, too? In the past several months, music star Sabrina Carpenter was named as the recent representative of the famous distillery, which, though it received a mixed reception from industry professionals, highlighted an important point: brands are targeting a female audience at the start of their consumption patterns, to secure the distilled beverage fans of the next generation. This group is expanding, too: women now make up over a third of spirit consumers, up from just 15% in the 1990s. I inquired Fikayo Ifaturoti, creator of a wine and spirits consultancy, if she’s noticed an increase in her female clientele: “I’ve seen female interest grow, but whisky still feels like ‘the other room’: appreciated by plenty, yet seldom invited into their collections,” she comments. “Among male drinkers, whisky has long carried family significance – a father passing down a bottle, a celebration during important events – but ladies are frequently excluded from that story.”

Distillery experiences, for example, which usually focus on outdoor pursuits, rarely imagine how other audiences, particularly ladies, wish to engage. “How come there are special editions for a paternal holiday, for instance, but lacking a maternal counterpart?” Ifaturoti asks. “The next frontier is the marketplace, and to create events with ladies as a focus as well as men.”

Several Whiskeys Influenced by Ladies

The Ten-Year Matured Spirit by Laphroaig Highly peated spirit from master distiller Dowling.

The Twelve-Year Black Label by Johnnie Walker Mellow, flavorful and produced by master blender Emma, JW’s first female master blender.

Eco-Friendly Spirit by Nc’nean This lady-created label, established by the founder Annabel, is named for the female deity of beverages.

The 1856 Expression from Uncle Nearest All syrup and sultanas, and created by fifth-generation master blender expert Butler.