Distilling was a career Emma Millar never knew was a possibility. Nearly a decade later, she’s a senior distiller for Northern Ireland’s Hinch Distillery. She wants more young people to know that making whisky is an option.

The first instalment of our monthly news roundup, March brought with it exciting new roles for women in whisky, impactful fundraising initiatives and progressive DE&I policies from breastfeeding to the menopause.

Despite being one of the year’s biggest gifting opportunities, Mother’s Day is still under-served by whisky brands and retailers. Johanna Derry Hall asks brands, marketeers, buyers and journalists why mums miss out.

Bar entrepreneur Simo Simpson is one of whisky’s most outspoken feminist male allies. He explains how he thinks the industry has changed in the 15 years since he started – and the small changes he’s made to make his businesses more inclusive.

From her beginnings as a tour guide to working in commercial, Hazel Macleod’s career in whisky wasn’t a planned one. Now a whisky specialist for Woven Whisky, she’s using the skills she learned on the Atonia Programme to overcome self doubt, fight negativity, and eradicate the need for the term “women in whisky”.

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women and tackle gender inequality. However we need to move beyond echo chamber panel discussions and performative Instagram posts if we’re to make any kind of difference, writes Becky Paskin.

From hiding their baby bump in photographs and from potential clients, to fearing they’d lose respect for taking maternity leave, pregnancy is an especially nuanced experience that women in whisky still navigate. Bethany Whymark asks those who’ve been through it how it has changed the way they work.

Heaven Hill’s European brand ambassador for craft premium spirits portfolio, Kyra Elton, always felt a little out of place in whisky. Now, she wants to advocate for others, continue to educate herself, and share her story.

With a background in theatre, Illinois market manager for Koval Distillery, Angela Salinas, has often felt she doesn’t belong in whisky. She explains how a life-changing moment with her mentor and grounding experiences with her fellow acorns have made her feel seen.

From wine to whisky, Moet Hennessey Argentina sommelier Natalia Grego has carved out her dream communications role. She explains how nailing down her goals made her focus on her whisky future to become an Atonia’s Acorn.

The OurWhisky Foundation has renamed its world-renowned mentorship programme as the Atonia Programme, and is now accepting applications from individuals based in Great Britain and Ireland.

Marissa Johnston, former global head of Diageo World Class & Advocacy, has joined the OurWhisky Foundation as executive director, marking a significant new chapter in the non-profit’s journey.

After 20 years in another industry, Tracy Dawn Shachtay started an unsure journey in whisky. Now, as Port Ellen’s new private client and brand home host, she has finally found her calling.

As we move into 2025, one thing’s for certain in whisky – there are uncertain times ahead. With DE&I initiatives the first victims of industry nervousness, Becky Paskin explains why abandoning female whisky drinkers is a huge mistake.

As we end another busy year in the whisky industry, five women in whisky look forward to 2025 and tell us their hopes for the future of the category and the women who work within it.

Managing a bar on an island in Florida means Cielo’s Rachel Urbelis has had to work extra hard to build her whisky community and knowledge. She explains how finding her confidence through our mentorship programme has allowed her to advocate for others.

Kentucky Bourbon Maker’s Mark has appointed Beth Buckner as its new lead blender, working alongside new master distiller Dr Blake Layfield.

The former assistant bar manager of Sexy Fish Manchester is set to open her own whisky-focused bar in the city next week. She tells Millie Milliken why Bourbon takes a starring role and why Ego Death will have a zero tolerance approach to discrimination.

Laura Davies, the former general manager at Wales’ Penderyn distillery, has joined Scotland’s Ardgowan as its new distillery manager.

Physical therapist-turned distillery operations manager, Rebecca Murphy of Two Trees Distilling Co. in North Carolina has successfully followed her passion for whisky. She explains how mentorship helped to give herself permission to grow.