DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAM

From heritage houses to a net-zero distillery on Scotland's west coast, these four women are preserving tradition, challenging convention, and quietly redefining what Scotch looks – and tastes – like.

- Words: CHARMIAN LEONG

Whisky is often thought of as one of the last great “old world” luxuries — a category that conjures images of tobacco-perfumed dens, leather Chesterfields, and, of course, the men who make and drink it.

It's a romantic picture, but an increasingly outdated one.

Today's sipping set is less interested in tradition for tradition’s sake than in craft, provenance, and occasionally, the thrill of a magnificently priced auction lot. Just as importantly, the conversation around whisky, like that of many legacy industries, has broadened. Inclusivity is no longer a footnote but an expected part of the narrative.

Scotch is no exception. Women have long been present in laboratories, warehouses and offices. But in the most consequential roles — master blenders, custodians of vast cask inventories, founders — their visibility is a relatively recent development.

The shift was not accidental. In 2019, the Scotch Whisky Association launched its Diversity and Inclusivity Charter, pairing commitments with initiatives including scholarships for Heriot-Watt University’s renowned brewing and distilling programme. In 2022, drinks journalist Becky Paskin founded the OurWhisky Foundation, formalising informal networks into structured mentorship and advocacy. Even symbolism began to surface in the glass: when women formed the majority of the whisky-making team at Compass Box, the independent bottler released The Muse — a limited-edition iteration of its signature Hedonism.

Together, these developments point to a meaningful recalibration: the industry is moving beyond optics and into influence. The following four women are proof of it.

STEPHANIE MACLEOD