March always feels a bit more significant to me. It is a moment when we pause to celebrate the resilience, passion, and serene strength that women bring to every industry they touch. As a woman who deeply enjoys the world of whisky, this month reminds me how beautiful it is to see more women molding an art that has been forged over centuries.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
Spirit Lovers
Women at the Still
For a long time, whisky projected the image of a man’s world: distilleries, warehouses, and blending rooms steeped in male-dominated tradition and history. But today, that story is evolving, and women are helping to write the next chapter.
One of the most inspiring voices of this new era is Dr. Emma Walker of Johnnie Walker. Her work reflects something I deeply admire: the delicate balance of science, patience, and intuition that great whisky demands.
But a moment that truly impacted me was meeting Rachel Barrie in person. Hearing her speak about her work with The GlenDronach and Benriach was more than just a conversation about whisky; it was a reminder that passion knows no limits.
The way she describes the character of the whisky, as well as its slow evolution in the cask, is almost poetic. Experiences like that make you realize that whisky is more than just a spirit –it is an art guided by the patience, instinct, and care that so many women naturally bring to their work.
As someone who loves sharing a good dram –sometimes paired with a fine cigar– it is incredibly inspiring to see women confidently stepping into roles that once seemed out of reach. Their presence creates not only diversity but also depth, perspective, and a new energy within the industry.
So this month, as we celebrate women all over the world, I raise a glass to those behind the stills –the ones shaping the flavor, preserving tradition, and quietly proving that great whisky, like great stories, is enriched when more voices are involved.
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