The April Cut: This month’s whisky industry news
Our monthly news roundup for April sees a myriad of ways in which women are being recognised in the whisky industry. From a new book showcasing women in production, to awards, promotions and more, it’s been a good month for women in whisky.
It’s been another busy month for the OurWhisky Foundation, as just this week we launched the OurWhisky Foundation Community.
A long time in the making, this online Community platform is a space for the industry to come together and share ideas, insights and a common goal to make the whisky industry a more inclusive space.
Heading to this year’s Spirit of Speyside Festival? We’ll be hosting our OurWhisky Foundation House Party at the Dowans Hotel on 4 May from 6pm. There are just a few tickets left so grab yours now and come and meet our community.
It’s also, however, been a devastating month for trans rights. The UK supreme court’s ruling on 16 April that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates (GRCs) was a piece of news that has rocked the trans community and its supporters. Diversity advocates in the drinks industry have responded in support and Equal Measures has released a survey, the results of which will be used to educate and inform the wider drinks and hospitality industries. It is open for anyone who is trans, non-binary, queer, and/or an ally.
In the meantime, we’ve been keeping an eye on women doing brilliant things in the world of whisky. From industry awards, to promotions, Atonia Programme graduate updates and an exciting new book and documentary both celebrating women in spirits, here’s what’s been happening in whisky this month.
Got some news you’d like us to include in our next roundup? Get in touch here.
‘Spirited Women’ book shines a light on women in whisky
New book Spirited Women: Makers, Shakers and Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails (pictured above) by Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff, shines a light on 55 women who are redefining the spirits industry today.
From distillers and blenders to bartenders and educators, the women featured in the book are all working to reshape the world of spirits and cocktails, and their stories span from Japan and Italy, to Nigeria and New York.
Celebrated through interviews, cocktail recipes and illustrations, there are a number of women from the world of whisky who feature in the book including Victoria Eady Butler, master blender at Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey; Claire Marin, founder and head distiller of Pollinator Spirits; Stephanie Macleod, master blender at Dewar’s Scotch Whisky; Carlie Dyer, blender and production distiller at Starward Whisky; Andrea Wilson, master of maturtion and chief operating officer of Michter’s; Nicole Auston, head distiller and general manager of George Dickel Whisky; and Louise McGuane, founder and master bonder of J.J.Corry Irish Whiskey.
‘The Spirit of Women’ documentary on final stretch of funding push
After three years of production, ‘The Spirit of Women’ documentary celebrating women’s contributions to whisky is looking for a final lot of funding as it nears completion.
Created and co-directed by Leigh Kingsley (actress, writer, producer and Kentucky native) alongside Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Sarah Moshman, the documentary – already shortlisted by Cannes Film Festival in 2022 – is the world's first feature-length documentary exclusively chronicling women’s roles in the whiskey and bourbon industry. It will feature some of the biggest names in American whiskey, from Marianne Eaves, Peggy Noe Stevens and Suzanne Beam to Mel Heim, Brittany Penny and Victoria Eady Butler.
The film is being funded through film and storytelling crowdfunder Seed & Spark, and post-production funding is open now.
Exciting Awards and new roles for industry leaders
Lucia Creed will be officially awarded as the US Tales Catalyst honouree at the Tales of the Cocktail conference in July.
April has been a good month for promotions and recognition across the industry. Kaitlin Tsai of King Car Group, which produces Kavalan whisky in Taiwan, has been promoted from global PR and brand ambassador to deputy director.
Sara Sergent, co-owner and master distiller at Alpine Distilling, which produces Bourbon in Utah’s Park City, has been awarded the CEO of the Year 2025 award by Utah Business. Sergent was recognised for her work in attracting top Utah talent to Alpine Distilling while positioning the company as an industry leader through sustainable practices. She has also implemented employee benefits including 401K and health insurance, resulting in zero manager turnover and created a strong organisational culture.
This year’s Tales of the Cocktail 2025 US Honouree for its Catalyst award goes to Lucia Creed, head of trade advocacy for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. She is responsible for the brand’s Raise the Bar Mentorship Alliance which pairs bartenders with mentors and is also on the boards of Turning Tables (a non-profit which supports underrepresented groups in hospitality) and Bar 5 Day (a spirits and bartending education programme).
This year’s International Honoree is Christina Veira, co-owner of Bar Mordecai and Founder of STAVE, a school offering drinks certifications, hospitality training, and customised tasting experiences for both industry professionals and consumers. OurWhisky Foundation founder Becky Paskin will be handing over the torch to Veira as the 2024 International Honoree.
Atonia Programme graduates continue to thrive in new positions and industry awards
We never tire of hearing what our Atonia Programme graduates are achieving and April has been no different.
Libby Barmby, marketing executive at Glasgow Distillery was nominated for the Under 30’s award at this year’s Oran Mor Whisky Awards, as was Hazel Macleod, whisky specialist for Woven, who was also shortlisted for the Whisky Rep of the Year award.
Reece Sims, writer and founder of Flavor Camp, won the IWSC Emerging Talent in Spirits Communication award.
In terms of job moves, Cory Martin, previously a distiller at Glasgow Distillery, is now a whisky blender for Loch Lomond Group; while Hannah Mitchell will soon be joining the team at Arbikie as UK sales manager from Speciality Drinks Group where she has been its national account manager in Scotland & Northern England.
OurWhisky Foundation Community launches To members
You can sign up now to be part of the OurWhisky Foundation Community.
The first platform of its kind, the OurWhisky Foundation Community has been created to connect professionals from all areas of the whisky industry, with a focus on empowering, recognising and supporting women working in the category.
Through features including 1-2-1 messaging, courses, exclusive content and events, open chat functions and curated discussion boards, the platform offers members a wealth of opportunities to engage with peers and learn from them too.
All facets of the Community have been created to foster collaboration, furthering and bettering our members’ professional (and personal) lives, contributing to a more connected global whisky industry. Become a member now.
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