The Cut
The editorial magazine for the OurWhisky Foundation.
Claire Vaughan: I feel less like an imposter in whisky
With qualifications in sports science and interior design, Claire Vaughan, co-founder of Derbyshire’s White Peak Distillery, never thought she’d end up in whisky. But her skill set has been key to the success of the Wire Works whisky brand.
Dr Rachel Barrie: I finally feel like I’ve arrived
Dr. Rachel Barrie has spent over 30 years in the whisky industry, winning numerous awards and accolades, but only now feels like she’s 'arrived'. Grateful for the opportunities she's been given, Brown-Forman's master blender now wants to empty her cup.
Meet the mentee: Ana Hinz, Westland Distillery
Success stories like Ana Hinz’s prove that empowering women can have meaningful consequences. We catch up with the former OurWhisky Foundation mentee and Westland Distillery’s business development manager about her extraordinary entrance to the whiskey industry.
Abbie Jaume: Whisky shouldn’t be putting off female talent
Abbie Jaume discovered her love of whisky in Tasmania, but for the scientist turned distiller, founding a distillery back in England hasn’t protect her from experiencing sexism. It’s partly why she’s donating the first whisky she ever made to the Demeter Collection.
The Glenturret welcomes new managing director Jennie Baernreuther
The Glenturret distillery in Crieff has announced Jennie Baernreuther as its new managing director.
Bessie Williamson: Laphroaig’s guardian angel
Regarded as the ‘first lady of Scotch’, Bessie Williamson was so much more than one of Scotland’s first female distillery managers. From safeguarding Laphroaig during the war to exhibiting philanthropic kindness and even saving her warehouseman’s life, Williamson left an indelible mark on both whisky and the world.
Kirsty Black: It started with beer - whisky came later
From a career in quality engineering to running what could be the world’s first hydrogen-powered distillery, Arbikie manager and master distiller Kirsty Black wants women to know they’re not alone in whisky.
Louise McGuane and Jennifer Nickerson: Women making history
As two of the only female Irish whiskey business owners, the J.J. Corry and Tipperary distillery founders have joined forces to make history with a new limited edition release that has the capacity to change the category forever.
Meet the mentee: Heather Storgaard, Whisky Auctioneer
In the first of a new series, we sit down with senior marketing & communications officer at Whisky Auctioneer and former OurWhisky Foundation mentee, Heather Storgaard. She talks finding true meaning and re-writing whisky history.
Stephanie Macleod: I’ve seen a lot of changes in my 26 years in whisky
Now director of blending, Scotch whisky, at Bacardi, Stephanie Macleod had never considered the whisky industry as a viable place to work. Why? Because she never saw the women who worked in it. Twenty-six years later and she’s one of its greatest advocates.
Ashley Smith: I’ve learned from the best blenders in Scotch
Counting the likes of Rachel Barrie, Stephanie Macleod, Ron Welsh and Sandy Hyslop among her mentors, Loch Lomond blender Ashley Smith is one of Scotland’s most exciting whisky makers.
Sarah Burgess: Making Atonia’s Legacy is a career highlight
Sarah Burgess has been making whisky for some of the biggest names in Scotland and England for two decades. Now, she’s ready to give back. She tells Becky Paskin why we need to shine a light on others, and how creating a unique whisky for the Demeter Collection is a career highlight.
Alice Pearson: My age doesn’t define me
She may be the UK’s youngest distillery manager but the Cotswolds’ Alice Pearson is confidently forging her own path, defying stereotypes of what it means to be a woman in whisky and proving age is nothing but a number.
Caitlin Heard: Girls run the world at The Borders distillery
At The Borders Distillery, women run the majority of operations. Team lead Caitlin Heard explains why female representation is so important and her excitement at seeing The Borders’ first quarter cask in the Demeter Collection auction.
Gillian Macdonald: My 20 years in whisky is down to luck
Twenty years after joining the whisky industry under the tutelage of the legendary Jim Swan, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg master blender Gillian Macdonald reflects on how her career can be boiled down to a ‘sliding doors moment’.
OurWhisky Foundation launches inaugural Demeter Collection auction
The OurWhisky Foundation has partnered with Whisky Auctioneer to launch the Demeter Collection, the world’s first auction dedicated to women in whisky.
The Lakes Distillery launches fundraising ballot for Isadora
The Lakes Distillery has created a special limited edition whisky for International Women’s Day in honour of dancer Isadora Duncan, with proceeds from bottle #1 donated to the OurWhisky Foundation.
Lisa Wicker joins Garrard County Distilling Co. as its first master distiller
Premium spirits company Staghorn has named Lisa Wicker master distiller at its new distillery in Kentucky.
Quyen Ha joins OurWhisky Foundation as partnerships manager
Quyen Ha has joined the OurWhisky Foundation team as marketing and partnerships manager, having previously worked in communications at William Grant & Sons and Chivas Brothers.
OurWhisky Foundation teams up with The Dowans Hotel for Spirit of Speyside House Party
The OurWhisky Foundation has joined forces with the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour to host a house party as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2024.