International Women's Day
Award-winning Independent Whisky
Bankfoot Farm, Inverkip, PA16 0DT
International Women’s DayInternational Women’s Day is an opportunity for us all to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. Whisky is still perceived by some as being made for men by men - neither of which is accurate in the modern world of scotch!
Here at Ardgowan we are proud to have talented females involved in all aspects of our growing business. As well as our new Distiller Lisa, our Mission Controller Jessica launched our first whisky Expedition and is now working hard on delivering our flagship Distillery, while our Production Manager Nicola works across many aspects of the business as we progress and grow.
Here’s what Lisa and Nicola have to say about working as ‘women in whisky’…
Our Distiller, Lisa Matthews, says:
Growing up on Islay, I saw many women working in distilleries, but it tended to be in customer-facing roles like tour guides. It wasn’t until I was studying for my BSc in Brewing & Distilling at Heriot-Watt that I realised working in production was a possibility.
I was the only female in my graduating year, but I had extremely strong female role models in the form of my course professors Dr Dawn Maskell, Dr Annie Hill, and Rachel Sutherland (formerly of Heineken UK and Innis & Gunn) and I never felt at a disadvantage to my male course mates.
Even in the short time since then, more and more women are taking up production roles – my own aunt works as a distillery production operator on Islay – which is great for young females keen on entering the industry who can see themselves and their ambitions reflected in these women’s visible success.
My ultimate goal is to achieve Master Distiller status and join the greats such as Kirsty Black, Rachel Barrie, Leslie Gracie, and Anne Brock.
My advice to any females wanting to enter the industry would be to absolutely go for it! There are so many amazing women in the highest positions possible within the industry, who are role models inspiring the next generation.
It’s an extremely supportive space and your individual journey and performance will speak for itself regardless of gender – we always welcome more women in whisky!
Our Production Manager, Nicola Campbell:
Like Lisa, I also grew up on Islay where there were plenty of women taking on important positions in the industry, but very few in production roles. My own father, grandfather, and great-grandfather worked in whisky, but it wasn’t until I graduated that I started to consider it as a career.
When I began working in the industry I soon realised I had an interest in production which I supplemented with some further studies. The course notes referred to the fictional distillery manager as a male throughout, which only made me more determined to reach my goals!
There have been great leaps made in the last few years with new barriers being broken down such as the first female coppersmiths and coopers beginning their apprenticeships. It’s absolutely fantastic for any prospective ‘women in whisky’ wishing to join the industry to see themselves represented in such far reaching roles
Whisky legends like Dr Kirstie McCallum and Dr Rachel Barrie are huge inspirations to me, having achieved positions at the absolute top of the game, and I am lucky enough to work every day with many amazing businesses with females at the helm.
My advice to any fellow females who want to make the leap into the world of whisky is not to let some outdated opinions put them off joining an exciting and dynamic industry. There is still a way to go, particularly in more physical roles, but it is a really collaborative and supportive field and there are some incredible role models to look up to, right up to the highest level. Don’t let stereotypes of the industry and whisky itself put you off – the modern whisky drinker isn’t trapped by rules and expectations, so don’t let yourself be either!
Although there are many important discussions around ‘women in whisky’ and shaping the future of the industry accordingly, there have been inspirational females climbing the career ladder for longer than you might expect – Lisa and Nicola’s native Islay is where Bessie Williamson became the first female to manage a Scottish distillery during the 20th century.
Beginning her career at the distillery in 1934 as a shorthand typist, Bessie became office manager before taking on responsibility for US distribution and then the distillery itself as its full-time manager. She was named as the Scotch Whisky Association’s American spokesperson in 1961 and toured the States representing our national drink to buyers and distributors.
As Lisa and Nicola embark on Ardgowan’s upcoming trade mission to Miami and New York City, they will be sure to think of Bessie’s trailblazing career while raising a dram to the future females of the industry.
Sláinte!