The March Cut: This month’s whisky industry news
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.
It’s been a busy month for the OurWhisky Foundation, not only as this month marked International Women’s Day, but 8 March was also our third anniversary!
We’ve come a long way in three short years – guided 200+ women through our mentorship programme, provided the industry with a free stock image library of diverse whisky drinkers, conducted the industry’s first survey of women in whisky, and seen producers truly embrace the importance of gender equality.
But while we’ve been busy, so has the industry, and this article marks the first of a new news segment that will feature people, producers and organisations in whisky achieving great things when it comes to women in our industry.
From graduate achievements, to fundraising efforts, new roles and impactful DE&I policies, here are some of the latest updates from the industry.
Got some news you’d like us to include in our next roundup? Get in touch here.
Atonia programme graduates continue to rise in whisky
Clare Monro of Johnnie Walker Princes Street (left) and Sarah Sneddon of Macallan Distillery (right).
This month has been a busy one for promotions, new jobs and noteable achievements among graduates of our Atonia Programme.
Recognition is one of our key pillars at the Foundation and two of our graduates have been recognised for their communication work: Heather Storgaard, freelance writer and researcher, and Reece Sims, founder of Flavor Camp, have been named as two of four women shortlisted for this year’s IWSC Emerging Talent in Spirits Communication Award. The winner will be announced on 8 April 2025.
New initiatives celebrating women in whisky are much needed, and Clare Monro, retail associate at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, has curated, pitched and secured a new Celebrating Women in Whisky tasting at the brand’s Edinburgh HQ which now runs weekly and showcases drams with strong stories of the women behind them.
There are new whiskies from our graduates too. Shamini “Charlie” Thevarajah, freelance brand ambassador, has released Mischief by Charlie, a blended whisky made in collaboration with Woven Whisky, and available in her home market of Norway. Meanwhile, Charnelle Martins, distiller and head of distillery operations at India’s Third Eye Distillery, has been instrumental in the release of its first whisky, Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey.
The start of the year has brought with it several promotions and fresh starts: Sarah Sneddon, previously marketing coordinator at Lochlea Distillery, is now a host at The Macallan; Terricia Soyombo who was a senior marketing account manager at ramarketing when she joined the programme has now started her first in-industry role as global senior brand manager at Old Pulteney; Temaira O’Kane, previously distiller at Church of Oak Distillery in Ireland, is now a process technologist for Diageo; Tracy Dawn Shachtay who was a communications & copywriting freelancer is now private client and brand home host at Port Ellen Distillery on Islay; and the World Whisky Forum’s Zoe Rutherford has joined the team at Cooper King Distillery as marketing manager.
International Women’s Day Fundraising initiatives bolster donations for the Foundation
Sister spirit: Lindores Abbey raised £520 for the OurWhisky Foundation.
March was a busy month for celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, and some very generous organisations decided to mark the 2025 milestones with fundraising initiatives for the OurWhisky Foundation.
Scotland’s Lindores Abbey Distillery released The Sister Spirit, a limited-edition of its Lowland single malt. Chosen by Lindores’ chief blender Lorena Baex-Subiabre, it was matured in Australian red wine casks, bottled at cask strength and inspired by the distillery’s sister spirit stills. Five pounds of each bottle sold was pledged to the Foundation and on release sold out in 12 hours, resulting in a £520 donation to the Foundation.
“While we recognise the progress being made in whisky, there is still work to do be done to ensure that women have the opportunities, recognition and representation they deserve,” said co-founder Helen McKenzie-Smith. “By donating a portion of sales to the OurWhisky Foundation, we hope to empower and uplift the talented women who make whisky what it is today and what it will become in the future.”
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has also pledged to donate 5% of profits from the release of four International Women’s Day bottlings selected by an all-female panel: Cask 122.78, Divide & Conquer; Cask 10.282, Sweetness & Darkness; Cask 53.496, A Mouth-Drying Sauna; Cask 71.109, A Nordic Cranachan. Total funds are yet to be announced.
Founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, Becky Paskin, said of the initiative: “We're incredibly grateful for the ongoing generous support of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. As a non-profit working to make whisky a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we rely on fundraising efforts such as this. I hope whisky fans around the world enjoy these very special releases as much as we do.”
Finally, this year’s 10th Pot Still Whisky Girls’ International Women’s Day lunch saw 220 women working in whisky from Scotland and Europe gather to celebrate one another. We were honoured to be this year’s chosen non-profit and the event raised a whopping £3,000 from donations on the day. Graduates of and mentors for the Foundation’s Atonia Programme gathered to celebrate (see main article picture).
Bruichladdich shines a light on DE&I updates from IVF and breastfeeding to menopause
Breastfeeding, IVF and menopause policies are all being implemented at Bruichladdich.
Progressive Islay whisky brand Bruichladdich released its 2024 Impact Report this month, and while sustainability was front and centre, there were some encouraging updates regarding its DE&I policies.
In 2024, it enhanced its Secondary Caregiver Leave offering, giving new parents and guardians the option to add an additional two weeks of flexible unpaid leave to their four weeks of paid leave.
Its Breast Feeding Policy was strengthened to support working parents with fully equipped rooms designed for privacy where employees can breastfeed or express across both sites on Islay and Glasgow.
The brand’s Disability Policy also ensures that temporary or permanent adjustments are implemented so that everyone feels safe and supported. This includes flexible working arrangements, specialised on-site equipment, quiet office areas and individual training and coaching support.
As an accredited Great Place to Work, in 2024 it was also named as one of the Best Work Places for Women for the third consecutive year.
This year is looking promising too, with a specific focus on establishing adoption and IVF policies alongside a refined menopause policy too. All of which will make a huge difference to its workforce: as the largest private employer on Islay, 44% of its 106 team members are women.
Big names make big moves across the industry
Minnie Parmiter (right) joins Tullibardine as distillery manager, taking over from David Myles (left).
There have been some exciting career moves for women across this industry this month.
First up, Minnie Parmiter has taken over the role of Tullibardine distillery manager from the outgoing David Myles who spent 20 years at the company.
Parmiter’s most recent role was as co-founder of England’s Copper Lion Distillery, but she comes with a role-call of experience, from Northern Ireland’s Echlinville Distillery, to Diageo’s Roseisle Distillery and Brewdog. Her background in biology and academic research will aid her in a new role as distillery manager.
Meanwhile, Diageo Ireland has appointed Louise Ryan as its new managing director. She joins Diageo from Pernod Ricard, where her 13-year tenure culminated as managing director of Pernod Ricard Nordics, focusing on innovation, performance and talent development.
She has also acted as managing director of The Gin Hub and managing director & insights director at Irish Distillers.
Her new role will come into effect on 1 June 2025.
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