The Women of Whiskey

Who runs the still? Girls.

In an industry that’s mostly male-dominated, let’s raise one to the female-owned distilleries worldwide. From the UK to the States, these powerhouses are changing the industry with innovative ideas and forward-thinking leadership.

After leaving her job in London in 2013 with a dream to change the way the world thinks about Scottish whisky, Annabel Thomas began raising funds to build a distillery from the ground up. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Nc’nean Distillery is now the UK’s first net-zero distillery, using 100% renewable energy and organic barley to pioneer eco-friendly production while producing acclaimed spirits.

Former hedge-fund manager turned entrepreneur, Julie Macklowe founded Macklowe Whiskey in New York with a mission to craft the finest American single malt. Using the highest quality ingredients, the brand now offers whiskey, rye, and bourbon that’s 100% malted barley, non-chill filtered, and aged in new American oak.

A mix of Dolly Parton + Maverick, with an Appalachian grit you only get when you’re descended from moonshiners… Danielle Parton’s Shine Girl Distillery is a unique destination for spirits that rise above the typical Smoky Mountain distillery lineup (think Apple Pie and Moonshine Cherries) to elevated flavors like Lavender, Rosé, and Red Velvet. She’s also a master distiller, retired Air National Guard Veteran with combat flight experience, and is currently a commercial pilot for a major carrier. If the delicious moonshine wasn’t enough. 

A farm-to-glass operation focused on heirloom ingredients and family heritage, Jeptha Creed Distillery is located on 64-acres in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Founded by mother-daughter duo Joyce and Autumn Nethery, the distillery produces bourbon, vodka, and moonshine, using “Bloody Butcher” red corn grown on their own farm.

Located in a historic 1859 building along the Dorchester waterfront, Boston Harbor Distillery was founded in 2012 by Rhonda Kallman. With a background in the beer industry, she uses her knowledge to create high-quality whiskey, rum, and liqueurs, often distilling beer into spirits to honor local history. The distillery often has live music, cocktail classes, and tours depending on the time of year.

What happens when a Texas entrepreneur and acclaimed whiskey expert join together? They build a female-led distillery in the Texas Hill Country. Crafted by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals (Heather Greene and 30-year veteran master distiller Marlene Holmes), the brand emphasizes the use of American grains sourced from Texas, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington.

A testament to the Lark family’s legacy in Tasmania’s whisky industry, Killara Distillery was founded by Kristy Lark-Booth to honor her parents, who helped establish Australia’s whisky industry in 1992. Kristy’s own distilling journey began at her parents’ distillery, eventually leading her to open Killara in 2016. The distillery’s dedication to using locally sourced ingredients and collaborating with small businesses underscores its commitment to community and sustainability.

When Debbie Word, a historic preservationist and craft enthusiast, and her daughter Danielle, a chemist, joined forces, they created a brand inspired by the spirit’s traditional use in folk medicine in the region. Born from a series of experiments with moonshining, the distillery products are designed to downplay juniper and accentuate notes of citrus, rose, and spice.

A unique take on traditional Scotch whisky, SIA is a blend of Speyside, Highland, and Islay malt and grain whiskies, bottled at 86 proof with a high malt-to-grain ratio. Founder Carin Luna-Ostraseski was introduced to Scotch by her grandfather and quickly developed a passion for it, later becoming one of the few Hispanic women to establish a Scotch brand.

In a region where whisky smuggling was the norm. Bothy Distillery was founded with the goal of bringing legal distilling back to Glen Prosen. Founded by Kim Cameron, the distillery uses hydroelectricity and sustainable waste removal processes, with a commitment to preserving the history and natural beauty of the area while creating a unique distilling experience for all to enjoy.

Created through a shared passion of whiskey and women within the industry, Freeland Spirits began as a conversation in 2016 between friends Jill Kuehler and Cory Carman during an evening of drinks. With Kuehler’s dream to open a distillery and Carman’s desire to produce grain on her Oregon-based ranch, the duo was onto something special.