Mar. 9, 2020
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting a few of the women who are reshaping the global spirits industry. Whether it is through innovations, revolutionary techniques or simply refining time-honored traditions, these women have changed the spirits we’re sipping for the better.
Rachel Barrie - Master Blender of BenRiach, Glendronach and Glenglassaugh
Rachel Barrie is a legend in Scotch whisky. As the Master Blender for three of Scotland’s most storied brands, a legacy of greatness falls squarely on her shoulders to keep every whisky release true to its Scottish roots, while at the same time innovating bold and award-winning new offerings.
Read on: Rachel Barre - "Whiskey is my life."
Edith Giffard – Owner of Giffard Liqueurs
Edith Giffard is the fourth-generation owner of her family’s historic line of liqueurs and syrups. A marketer by trade, Giffard has built relationships with influential bartenders around the globe, recruiting them not just as advocates but as inspiration for new, innovative flavors that quickly become back bar staples.
Read on: Edith Giffard Knows What Your Back Bar is Missing
Elizabeth McCall – Assistant Master Distillery for Woodford Reserve
In 2018, Elizabeth McCall was promoted to the role of Assistant Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve, one of America’s most beloved bourbon brands. Not bad for someone who started at the company less than 10 years ago.
“At Brown-Forman, I've always been surrounded by women,” McCall said. “It's never been weird for a woman to have a seat at the table and voice her opinions."
Read on: Elizabeth McCall and the Future Bright of Woodford Reserve
Allison Parc – Owner and founder of Brenne French Single Malt Whisky
At the age of 25, Allison Parc bet her life savings on the idea that she could capture the terroir of Cognac, France in a bottle of single malt whisky. Thankfully, her bet paid off and Parc became the founder of Brenne French Single Malt Whisky, a tropical fruit pie of a whisky that she feels embodies the true spirit of Cognac.
Read on: Does Terroir Exist in Whisky? Allison Parc of Brenne Certainly Thinks So.
Sofia Partida – National Brand Ambassador for Tequila Partida
Sofia Partida and her relatives are one of the 70,000 families in Amatitán, Mexico, whose livelihood is dependent upon tequila. It is a spirit that runs through her blood and it is intertwined into every part of her life, both professionally and personally.
“I just fell in love with the tequila lifestyle that my uncle and cousins were leading,” Partida said. “I was really drawn to the way it was not only their art and their craft, but truly their living.”
Read on: Sofia Partida Shares Her Family's Story of Tequila
Villanueva Quintana – Master Blender at Brugal Rum
Villanueva Quintana is the Master of Rum for Brugal, and at 33, she is the youngest master distiller working today for a major rum brand. However, her path to distilling was never certain.
“I never imagined 10 years ago that I would be here,” Quintana said. “I'm the first female that the company invited to apply for a trial. It’s always been more of a man’s world.”
Read on: Standing Tall in a ‘Man’s World’: Jassil Villanueva Quintana