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Why wait for a designated day for female recognition to honor ladies? An annual observance is a good excuse, admittedly, but there’s no requirement to delay to recognise the input of female and female-identifying individuals to the spirits world. Isn’t that so?

Upon making an appeal on social media to ask for the details of inspiring women who have careers in distilling, my email was inundated with suggestions, media announcements and, most hearteningly, industry experts acknowledging their colleagues. “Progress is being made at recognizing female contributions for the efforts they put in,” spirits teacher and author commented, emphasizing that whisky expert Margaret, who entered the field decades ago, has just in recent times been recognized publicly. In a similar vein, industry veteran Robinson, who worked in whisky for almost half a century, was included in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame as recently as 2020. “There are also more women studying technical and scientific fields, which is typically needed in jobs including distilling and blending.”

Support from within the industry is crucial to these women’s success, which is the context for the non-profit organization plays a role: this non-profit, established in recently, supports females in the spirits industry internationally, and has the support of the broader sector. Its specialized content is a report for women’s wins in the sector.

On the consumer side of things, are we observing more women there, too? In the past several months, pop diva the famous artist was named as the recent representative of the well-known brand, which, though it received a mixed reception from field insiders, highlighted an important point: distilleries are appealing to a female audience at the start of their drinking habits, to secure the spirits enthusiasts of the future. That audience is growing, too: ladies account for 36% of whisky drinkers, increasing from only 15% in the past. I asked the founder, creator of a wine and spirits consultancy, if she has seen an increase in her female clientele: “I have noticed women’s engagement deepen, but spirits often seem like ‘an exclusive space: respected by numerous, yet rarely included in their purchases,” she notes. “For many men, distilled beverages have historically had family significance – a legacy from previous generations, a celebration during important events – but women are often written out of that narrative.”

Brewery visits, for example, which usually focus on outdoor pursuits, infrequently account for how alternative demographics, particularly ladies, want to interact. “Why do we see exclusive versions for a day for dads, for example, but lacking a maternal counterpart?” the founder inquires. “The next frontier is the commercial sector, and to design interactions with ladies as a focus in addition to males.”

A Selection of Whiskies Influenced by Females

A Decade-Aged Single Malt from Laphroaig Distinctly smoky beverage from expert blender Sarah.

The Twelve-Year Black Label by Johnnie Walker Mellow, flavorful and created by Dr Emma Walker, the first woman master for the label.

Eco-Friendly Spirit by Nc’nean This female-founded brand, started by the founder Annabel, derives its title from the goddess of distilled drinks.

Historic Whiskey by Uncle Nearest Full of dried fruit flavors, and made by hereditary distiller Victoria Eady Butler.