SHOREHAM, Vt. (AP) — Meghan Ireland always loved chemistry, but as a college freshman studying chemical engineering, she didn’t know she could channel her passion for science into the art of making whiskey.
After discovering an article about a female chemical engineer who became a master whiskey distiller, Ireland recognized that she could pursue a career in whiskey, unlike many of her peers headed towards plastics and pharmaceuticals.
“It was kind of like a connection of, ‘hey, I can see someone who looks like me, who has the same exact kind of education and background doing this job,’ and kind of opened it up as an option,” said Ireland, now the chief blender behind Vermont-based whiskey brand WhistlePig.
Increasingly, women are launching their own distillery brands and finding innovative ways to craft whiskey at a time when more women are embracing the drink.
Women Are Often Asked: ‘Do You Even Like Whiskey?’
Despite their growing presence, women in the whiskey business often face skepticism from male colleagues and consumers questioning their affinity for whiskey. Becky Paskin, founder of OurWhiskey Foundation, recalls being asked the same question while judging a whiskey tasting event.
“Barely any other drink or food falls under such scrutiny,” Paskin said.
Paskin aims to create new visuals of women enjoying whiskey that avoid sexualization, countering outdated stereotypes historically chronicling women in whiskey.
A Long History of Women in Whiskey
While whiskey-making has long been perceived as a male domain, women have played vital roles throughout history. The first distillation device was crafted by a woman, Maria Hebraea, with women managing many distilleries in the 1800s in Kentucky.
Industry experts note this historical connection, with women being central to whiskey’s survival and evolution, often working behind the scenes.
“There have always been women in bourbon,” said Susan Reigler, a bourbon expert, acknowledging their significant yet less-visible contributions.
Women Lead Innovation and Creativity in Whiskey
Since taking the helm at WhistlePig, Ireland has not only ensured product consistency but also overseen experimental batches, gaining accolades for her unique aging techniques.
We see women like Judy Hollis Jones, who transitioned from food industry executive to founder of Buzzard’s Roost, a whiskey brand launched in Kentucky in 2019, enriching the landscape further.
“We are a very wide range of people that love bourbon,” Hollis Jones noted, as she challenges traditional whiskey stereotypes.
This transformation signals an evolution within the industry, promoting whiskey as a beverage that welcomes everyone, irrespective of gender.
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