Past, Present and Future Legends

WHISKY’S

SHINING LIGHTS

“This is a man’s world”, says Mr James Brown. Look into whisky’s past, present and most definitely its future, and you’ll see that it would be “nothing without a woman.”

Historical records and recorded wills reveal more than thirty women have controlled some of the most famous distilleries in Scotland. Many continue to do so today.

Take Bessie Williamson, ‘the First Lady of Laphroaig’. She started with the distillery as a secretary. She finished, some forty years later, as managing director. In 1934, young Bessie took a job as a typist at the distillery, intending to move on in a few months. Twenty years later, she owned the place, the only woman to own a distillery in Scotland in the 20th century. She was behind the push for Laphroaig to expand into the States and also seen as a key force in the rise of single malts, over blends.

Further back in 1811, Elizabeth Cumming became the first woman to found a distillery, although granted it was an illegal one at the time. By 1824, it had its licence and Cardhu was born.

Beyond the Scottish borders, Jesse Roberta Cowan, known locally as Rita Takatsuru, was ‘the mother of Japanese Whisky’. She met Masataka Taketsuru when he lodged in the family home in Glasgow while studying the industry. She returned to Japan with Masataka and played a key role in establishing the Nikki Distillery.

Across the pond, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels was well known for her contributions to Maker’s Mark, including the signature red wax. Nicole Austin

Bessie Williamson Elizabeth Cumming

Rita Taketsuru with Masataka Taketsuru

Marjorie Samuels Rachel Barrie

Victoria Eady Butler In Ireland, Ellen Jane Corrigan oversaw the international expansion of Irish whiskey, Bushmills, during the 1880’s.

Today, Rachel Barrie has established an illustrious reputation having worked with such distilleries as Bowmore, Glenmorangie, and Ardbeg. Now she is master blender at The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh. Scotland’s First Lady of Whisky, indeed.

Over in Nashville, Tennessee, Victoria Eady Butler left her job at the Department of Justice and, although originally having no experience, has established herself as master blender for ‘Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey’. In fairness, distilling might just run in the family. Her great-greatgrandfather, Nathan “Nearest” Green, himself a master distiller who taught the famous Jack Daniels how to distill. Yes, THAT Jack Daniels.

Nicole Austin is the master distiller at Tennessee’s George Dickel Whiskey. She had originally intended on a career as an environmental lawyer, until one evening when her date offered her a glass of whiskey.

Marianne Eaves became Kentucky’s first master distiller in 2015 (well, first since Prohibition) when she joined Castle & Key.

Looking to the future we have distilling stars at home: think Jodie Dawes (Lark), Silvia Segato (Forty Spotted Gin), Suzy Brett (Spring Bay), Naomi Mcintosh (Chief’s Son) and Carlie Dyer from Starwood.

Internationally, Kelsey McKechnie is carving her way into whisky folklore as she takes the reigns at The Balvenie, Scotland. Her interview is next.