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.

Littlemill distillery has unveiled the second whisky in its Vanguards Collection, paying homage to former distillery manager Jane MacGregor. But who was she, and why is her story now being told?

From innovative blending techniques to the importance of giving space to diverse voices, these are our eight biggest takeaways from participating in one of Europe’s biggest bar shows.

The universal challenges of female likeability and the authority gap are applicable to many industries, not least whisky. Which is why we’ve handpicked six inspirational Ted Talks that provide different perspectives on the importance of gender equality in the workplace.

The OurWhisky Foundation has revealed the inaugural educational programme for its Whisk(e)y Embassy at Bar Convent Berlin 2024.

New Zealand’s Carlie Dyer initially moved to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a career in wine. But as she tells Millie Milliken, she never expected to fall in love with whisky. Now, after six years with Starward Distillery, she’s taken the helm as head distiller.

In August 2024, Rebecca Kean joined InchDairnie Distillery as its assistant distillery manager. She explains her family ties to whisky, how the OurWhisky Mentorship Programme helped her find her support system, and what you can learn when you least expect it.

Beyoncé’s new whisky, SirDavis, has the potential to forge a seismic cultural shift around how we consider whisky drinkers forever, writes Becky Paskin.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has launched a new whiskey in collaboration with Moët Hennessy, making the singer-songwriter the first female A-list celebrity to found a whisky brand.

The OurWhisky Foundation is joining Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) as its official Education Partner for 2024.

The OurWhisky Foundation has partnered with two renowned whisky bars to launch its new Lucky Dip fundraising initiative.

The OurWhisky Foundation has revealed the second group of 25 women and non-binary individuals to be selected for its 2024 mentorship programme.

The OurWhisky Foundation has partnered with Benriach Scotch single malt to provide its first free Headshot Clinic for women and non-binary people working in the whisky industry.

The inaugural Demeter Collection, the OurWhisky Foundation’s fundraising auction held in partnership with Whisky Auctioneer, has raised a total of nearly £50,000.