From innovative artists to scientific explorers –Spirit Hub celebrates the stories of women in craft distilling.
Our friends over at Spirit Hub, an online retailer and distributor focused on craft spirits in select markets with plans to expand, recently wrote this article highlighting some of the amazing women in craft distilling. And honestly, it was too good to not share…so thanks for telling these stories SpiritHub and letting us share them here with Tippler Nation. And if you’re reading and live in IL make sure to pop on over to their website to get shopping!
Caitlin Pruett
Owner, Distiller, and Everything Else of Vivacity Fine Spirits
Why/How did you get into distilling?
We settled on starting a distillery as it checked most of the boxes. We are able to be creative, create something we can take pride in, something we can enjoy ourselves and share with friends and family. Distilling, like cooking, is the perfect combination of science and art in creating interpretations of the classics as well as creating new and interesting spirits.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
There has been a lot of support for the distillery in general as well as me as a woman in distilling. That said, often people will speak directly to the man in the room. Often said man is my husband and business partner, in which case he will refer to me and always make sure I am included. But when it is one of our employees there is often that awkward moment of redirecting the question to me.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
The biggest challenge has been establishing and maintaining our market share. We consider the major spirit companies to be our competition, however with so many fabulous micro distilleries on the scene now it can be difficult to stand out.
What is your distilling background?
My background is in fermentation mostly (and obviously anything that is distilled for spirits needs to be fermented first!). I have done an internship at a brewery in Germany and worked in a couple of wineries in California. Just prior to starting the distillery I was a hops research chemist at OSU. In our due diligence prior to starting up we attended a week long distillation class in California as well as a 3 day course in Michigan.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
We are often asked this question – and it’s a very tough one to answer. It’s like asking me which is my favorite kid!
What is your favorite cocktail?
Lately, a manhattan made with our Treos Brandy.
Connie Baker
Head Distiller of Marble Distilling Co.
Why/How did you get into distilling?
In 2010 I went to the Dry Fly Distilling Institute in Spokane, WA because I LOVE spirits.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
Great – Never a wait for the bathroom at distilling conferences.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Financing
What is your distilling background?
After school, I spent the next five years making mashes and distilling at home before opening Marble Distilling Co. in 2015.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Anything that is barrel aged. I love experimenting putting spirits in 2nd and 3rd generation barrels.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Maximize your uniqueness. There are plenty of distillers in flannel shirts with long beards.
What is your favorite cocktail?
The perfect martini.
Amanda Catherine Paul
Co-Founder of Hamilton Distillers
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Through my father, Stephen Hamilton Paul. I had been in New York for ten years going to NYU and then working in architecture and design. My Dad had been hobby distilling back home in Tucson and what he was making started to taste really good. Working long hours in New York I rarely got to see him, so we decided to make a go of Whiskey Del Bac. I moved home and we began our new venture together. Working alongside him has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It is such an exciting time for women in the industry but it can be difficult.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
I think coming to terms with the idea that the industry is still very much male dominated. There are some incredible, knowledgeable and talented women in the field and it seems more join almost every day. It’s absolutely an exciting time for women in spirits.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Our Dorado. It’s an American Single Malt made with our in house mesquite smoked malt. It has a nose of tobacco and chocolate, giving way to campfire embers, and finishing with soft tannins and sweet toffee on the palate.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Be bold!
What is your favorite cocktail?
Lately it’s been a Whiskey Flip. Can’t get enough.
Becky Harris
President and Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek
Why/How did you get into distilling?
We were inspired by the history of whiskey in Virginia. At Mount Vernon, George Washington owned the largest distillery in his time. We wanted to make a rye whisky inspired by this history, with a modern focus on flavor and Virginia terroir.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It is a wonderful time to be a woman in this industry – there are more of us in leadership positions than ever before, and they are talented, savvy women. I feel lucky to be a part of this sisterhood.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
The biggest challenge is finding a way to grow a brand on a shoestring from the ground up. We were fortunate to start 10 years ago, when there was more room to learn on the fly. We are MUCH wiser than we were, and if we were starting now, those same mistakes we made would be much costlier.
What is your distilling background?
I’m a chemical engineer with a background of 10 years in that business. I used that experience, plus some sensory training, to create the process we use to make our spirits.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Aaargh – they’re like my kids! Today, it’s our flagship 80 proof Roundstone Rye – so chill and a real front porch sipper.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
It will take at least twice as long and cost four times as much as you thought to kick off this business.
What is your favorite cocktail?
I love a Sazerac with our 92 proof Distiller’s Edition Roundstone Rye.
Karen Hoskin
Owner and Founder of Montanya Rum
Why/How did you get into distilling?
I have been a rum fanatic for 30 years. When I was looking at a career change a decade ago, I knew that I wanted to be part of the craft distilling movement that was to come, and to have a chance to make my favorite spirit.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It is a lot better now than it was a decade ago when I was often the only woman in any room. It has been a great joy of mine to see women enter and succeed in this industry. But there were many days on which I wanted to throw in the towel because of sexual harassment, lack of safety in my workplace on the road visiting bars and bartenders, and dealing with a terribly gender biased investor and venture community.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
As recently as five years ago, I had to spend most of my time trying to convince the people around me that I understood distilling, the industry, and how to make craft spirits. Every conversation required first that I establish my credibility and second that I actually get anything done. This was true in every aspect of my work. It still happens regularly, but I have managed to crash through the glass ceiling and be recognized as a leader. I would say it may have taken five times longer than it took many of my colleagues who have less experience and less knowledgeability.
What is your distilling background?
I am in the process of completing levels II and III of the WSET Spirits certification. I will be finished with this three level certification in 2019. I have spent a great deal of time studying with mentors like Jake Norris and Dave Thibideau. But I am primarily frontier trained, and have focused on training and mentoring women to distill and launch distilling businesses at my distillery over the last decade.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Super premium Rum. But I am most excited about a release I will do in May 2019 called Montanya Valentia. Valentia means bravery, courage, tenacity, grit in Spanish. It is a rum that is four year aged, distilled by women, at a female owned distillery, bottled by women and we will launch it’s a great celebration of the glass ceilings that women have crashed through in the craft spirits industry.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Don’t be afraid to ask for mentoring and help from people you respect. Take advantage of the resources offered by the American Distilling Institute and the American Craft Spirits Association, as well as any organizations dedicated to your spirits category. It will take longer than you expect to reach goals so be ready for the long game. Beware of overextending yourself on infrastructure that you can’t yet support financially. Better to grow sustainably than put yourself out of business on a fou station of hope.
What is your favorite cocktail?
I am a Ti’ Punch fan. This is a traditional cocktail that pre-dated the margarita and is made with aged rum, typically French Agricole style rum, and fresh lime and a touch of simple. It is incredibly basic and unbelievably delicious.
Peggy Hendricks
Co-owner of Hendricks Family Distillery
Why/How did you get into distilling?
We are family built and owned. Our youngest son proposed the idea to us, for he felt with the abilities of my husband, our two boys and myself, we would be able to build and operate a distillery. We took a vote and Hendricks Family Distillery was born!
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
I feel pride and accomplishment. Since we have been in the business for a few years, I feel respect from our peers.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Legislation in the spirit world.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Our flagship product is our Pure Class Vodka. That is our primary product and our goal is to make the highest quality potato vodka we can. I also produce a number of specialty distilled products which is a lot of fun!
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
It is a lot of work and time, but worth every minute! Make a product you can be proud of. Quality is our main focus. The paperwork and reports can be overwhelming at times, but it does get better!
What is your favorite cocktail?
Moscow Mule
Melissa Katrincic
Co-founder, President, & CEO of Durham Distillery
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Lee and I started the distillery in 2013 and launched the two Conniption gins and the Damn Fine liqueurs in 2015. The Cold Distilled Cucumber Vodka launched in 2017 and then last year, we released our first two premium canned cocktails: a gin and tonic (house made, from scratch tonic syrup) and a cucumber vodka soda.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
Most days are fantastic. I’ve got a great team here at the distillery too (mainly women who are rock stars in their own right!). Every day brings new challenges too which we thrive off of and we know that together, we will succeed.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Funding growth as a woman-led distillery has been challenging.
What is your distilling background?
Also, assistant gin distiller. The Damn Fine liqueur line and canned gin & tonic are my recipes and I continue to lead their production on site.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Conniption American Dry Gin
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Know your own worth. Be confident that you have a place in this industry. Surround yourself with other women (Women of the Vine & Spirits is a fantastic group) who will be your community.
What is your favorite cocktail?
Right now? A Martinez with Conniption American Dry gin.
Amber Pollock
Owner of Backwards Distilling Co.
Why/How did you get into distilling?
I got into craft distilling along with the rest of my family, through our passion for great food and beverage experiences. We love traveling and trying new products, dishes, etc. and wanted to bring an element of that to our own community.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
The liquor industry definitely has a perception that it is a boy’s club. I’ve been fortunate to meet several amazing women in the industry though that have made the space much more welcoming for me. It’s great to see more and more females taking the lead in the industry.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
I’m not sure I would say I’ve overcome any of the obstacles that we face. It’s more of a chipping away at the obstacles a little bit every day. There are definitely plenty of obstacles in craft distilling but that’s also what makes coming to work every day exciting.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
My favorite spirit we make is our gin. We actually distill two different types of gin and I love them both for different reasons. It is such a fun category with lots of room for creativity.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
I think it is important for women to get connected to a network in the industry as soon as possible. There are lots of folks that are willing to help people get started. Groups like the American Craft Spirits Association have been really helpful to me in that regard and that is where I have connected to women in the industry which is really key.
What is your favorite cocktail?
The classic Daiquiri is my go to and I love trying fun riffs on it as well.
JoAnn Elardo
Owner and Founder of Wicked Dolphin Rum
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Many years ago, I had some friends in the business and had an interest in it. In 2010 Dan Termini and I started Distilling on a very small still and our interest just kept growing.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It’s great being a woman in this industry, women bring a different eye to the business. Some of the Best Spirit Brands are being owned and distilled by women.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Each State has different laws. We were one of the first Craft Distilleries to start in Florida and we had to change a lot of laws on the books, this was hard. We have helped pave the way for many more craft distilleries to open. We just never gave up.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
One of the favorite Spirits that we make is our Coconut. This took us 2 years to master. We started with homegrown coconuts from our property. After years of we finally got it to where we wanted it. No suntan lotion smell and less sugar. It really has a nice clean Coconut taste, I have not found better. Taking our time and developing spirits with clean and natural flavors has been important.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Never take no for an answer. If someone can do it – you can. You need to love what you do to be good at it. Everyday I am excited to see what we will make and what people will think, I have been very lucky.
What is your favorite cocktail?
I have 2 – depends what I am doing. 1) Wicked Dolphin Punch. It includes: 1 oz WD Crystal, 1 oz WD Coconut, 3 parts Cranberry Cocktail, and 1 part pineapple juice. Squeeze of lime. Shake. 2) Wicked Dolphin Rum Old Fashioned. It includes: 2 oz of WD 6 year Bottled in Bond, splash of Wicked Dolphin Vanilla Rum, dash of bitters, dash of orange bitters, sever over large ice ball with orange twist.
Michelle Ly
President of Vinn Distillery
Launching soon on bfspirits.com
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Our family has been distilling for over 7 generations and our father passed the trade and secrets down to our oldest sister, Lien Ly. She is our head distiller.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It is definitely not common to see women in the distilling industry but we are seeing more women in the industry today than when we first got started 10 years ago. Fortunately for us, we joined a craft distilling community (in Oregon) that was very embracing of newcomers, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
We’ve been in the industry for 10 years and we are still learning so much and still overcoming obstacles. But I would say the biggest obstacle, since we got started, would be learning the State and Federal regulations.
What is your distilling background?
Lien Ly, our oldest sister, is the distiller, but we all assist her throughout the process and know a bit about distilling.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
It would be the Vinn Baijiu – this is what our family has been making for over 7 generations.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
All the women I have met in this industry have been amazing and so willing to help or give advice, so I would say to not be afraid to reach out to us.
What is your favorite cocktail?
My favorite cocktail is a version of Moscow Mule that we call “Shanghai Mule” that we make using our Vinn Baijiu.
Karin Vonk
Co-Owner and Marketing Manager of Richland Rum
Why/How did you get into distilling?
My affinity with authenticity.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
For me, it is all about being the best marketeer and the ultimate brand builder of a truly authentic product.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Lies and deceit in labeling and herd mentality among consumers.
What is your distilling background?
20 years of groundbreaking work in making an all natural product.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Our Classic Reserve, bottled at Cask Strength, recognized by Forbes as ‘Best American Rum’.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Don’t compromise on quality, don’t believe that a pretty label or a “compelling story” will meet market demands.
What is your favorite cocktail?
Richland Rum Classic Reserve – Cask Strength with a cube of ice and a 1/16 sq. inch orange peel.
Monica Pearce
Founder and Boss Lady of Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Have always been a big whiskey drinker so took a risk and started my own business!
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It’s been an incredible experience. The industry is so supportive, uplifting and passionate.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
My biggest obstacle is growth. We are always at a bottleneck with things like production capacity. So how do you invest in the right growth model is always a question I am asking myself.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Our smoked corn whiskey
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Take the risk and utilize every opportunity given to you!
What is your favorite cocktail?
Old Fashioned
Shelly McGlothern
Owner and CEO of Bad Dog Distillery
Why/How did you get into distilling?
My husband knew how to distill so I created this business for him to do something he is passionate about.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It’s like any other manufacturing industry. We have to work harder to prove ourselves and gain respect from the male population. Once that is accomplished we are not different from the guys.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
I have not overcome my biggest obstacle and it is sales. We are a 3-person operated distillery, and two of us still have full time jobs. I am one of those two. When it comes to outside sales, we have two choices: to self-distribute or hire a distributor. It’s a tough choice, because self-distribute requires a lot of our time, but people get to know “us, Bad Dog Distillery.” We also get the best margin. Distributors save us time, but there is not “our face” to the product and we have to take a huge margin cut.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Honey Shine
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Have a business plan!! Make marketing as important as what’s in the bottle and know your production capacity and how you will sell it.
What is your favorite cocktail?
Manhattan
Heather Bean
Still Mistress (CEO/Head Distiller) of Syntax Spirits
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Being an R&D engineer at a major tech company during the outsourcing boom in the early Y2Ks drove me to drink and, being a good engineer, I had to learn to make my own booze more cheaply.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
I find that it’s much like being a woman in the engineering fields. Though there are more women all the time, there are still far, far fewer women than men, and the comparative rarity of women has bad and good sides. On the bad side, some people tend to make unwarranted assumptions about talent, seriousness, intelligence, etc. and that can be a hindrance in some situations. On the good side, it’s much easier to stand out in the crowd and get attention (once you prove yourself) because you don’t look and sound like the majority of the other people in the profession.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
Honestly, it’s the whole thing. Running a craft distillery that I built from the ground up (for the second time now!) is a fairly brutal proposition that requires long hours and wearing a huge number of hats. Engineering, fabrication, writing, finance, marketing, sales, supply chain, mechanics, building trades, distributor management, bartending…just to name a few. The biggest challenge for a little distillery is that all of the normal business functions need to be performed, but there’s frequently not enough work/money for it to make sense to hire too many things out. I’m lucky to have a strangely diverse background that makes it possible for me to manage most things, but there are still only so many hours in a day. This is where I get my alternative job title, “Jackass of All Trades.”
What is your distilling background?
My educational background is in mechanical and chemical engineering, which is a pretty solid background for distilling. I also worked as a firmware engineer for a number of years, so that rounds things out nicely for everything on the production floor. I brewed wine as a hobby as a child (It was the 80’s…thanks Mom!) and moved into beer in my 20’s. Distilling came along when I wanted to try something new.
Then I saw craft distilleries sprouting up in Portland, OR in the mid 2000’s and got the idea that distilling might be a fun option if I was determined to jump ship on the corporate world. Me being me, I had to do it all the hardest possible way — nothing but grain-to-glass spirits, building my own equipment — and it’s been a wild ride. We recently moved from our original location of 8 years into a 115 year old historic grain elevator and the ride really isn’t getting dull yet. We hope to reopen in spring of 2019 with a much improved location and building.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Like all mothers, I love all of my children equally…well…mostly. If I’m in a sipping mood my favorite is our bourbon, but for a quick, refreshing drink I tend to favor gin. Of course, I’m honestly apt to be caught sipping anything we make — including vodka, rum, and more. In terms of what I like making, whiskey and gin are again tops. There’s a lot of fun flavor stuff to play with in both spirits.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Don’t worry about being a woman, there’s literally nothing that you can do about it. (Well, there are things to do for it, but probably they’re not worth it just for distilling.) Play to your strengths, whatever they may be, and show the world a capable, smart, relatable human being and that will go a long way. Don’t be an ass (much…sometimes it’s warranted)…the industry is small and has a long memory. Remember that everyone has challenges, men included, and see where you can offer the world something unique — that’s where the genius lies.
What is your favorite cocktail?
I’m honestly not that into cocktails, I prefer sipping. But if pressed, a good Manhattan is where it’s at for whiskey, or a nice, classic G&T on a summer afternoon.
Eileen Bivalacqua
Co Founder of Seven Three Distilling Company
Why/How did you get into distilling?
It’s a really long story! But the short version is that the opportunity to launch a distillery from scratch in New Orleans presented itself and it seemed like it’d be an exciting challenge.
To be honest, sometimes I wonder how I found this amazing path myself. I am always up for a challenge and this one came around and intrigued me. After meditating on it and talking it through with my husband and business partner Sal, we decided to hit the ground running and were forced to become experts in the area very quickly. The first year into the project was kind of bananas, actually! I took to it because it fused a love for design and hospitality with the challenge of truly building something from the ground up, including the development of each of the amazing spirits we’ve released over the past two years. There is such a wonderful connection in this industry between the artistry of creation and the mechanics of manufacturing that I feel lucky to be involved in in and consistently have wondered why more women aren’t already.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It’s challenging, rewarding, and SO much fun. It’s a not so little-known fact that historically, women had a large part in the distillation of spirits. They would be responsible for distilling spirits while the men harvested…this was very common across cultures. Fast forward to post-prohibition and times changed: liquor came to be considered “inappropriate for respectable ladies” and it was basically socially unacceptable for women to imbibe in hard liquor. Thus evolved the sort of “boys club” spirits industry that lasted for so long.
But times have yet again changed, and the modern spirits industry is filled with women distillers and distillery owners. Don’t get me wrong, the industry is still primarily male dominated but it has become more accepting of female distillers and entrepreneurs. I come across more and more female distillers and distillery owners with increasing frequency. And there’s this amazing comradery between all of the ladies – this girl power vibe that is special.
Without question though, I would say that although the industry is traditionally male dominated, it remains largely focused on the quality of the spirits and their reception which has made for a great experience for me with Seven Three Distilling.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
To be honest, I think the biggest hurdles come with the regulatory bodies we deal with as distillery owners. New Orleans generally is welcoming for women in the spirits industry and I feel like I get an even shake with most people I deal with. However, when dealing with city and state offices, sometimes those challenges are real. I’m not saying that I think it is more challenging for a woman in this industry than a man, but in general dealing with the regulatory agencies and the taxing authorities can be the biggest (and most annoying!) challenges I face. That and convincing all of our retailers to put us front and center, but I am working hard on that one!
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
I love all our spirits like they’re my babies. But if I had to pick a favorite, I’ll admit that I am kind of obsessed with our Gentilly Gin and in my humble opinion, Gentilly Gin is a category redefining flavor. We worked hard with our distiller to make a gin that stands alongside traditional gins, but that also truly uses a creative palate of botanicals to conjure up the images of warm summer nights in New Orleans in a new and refreshing way. We learned so much when we taste tested the Gentilly Gin during development phase and one thing that sticks with me is how many people felt we captured New Orleans, and Louisiana as a whole in our botanicals.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Do your homework! And it’s equally important to make friends in the industry as quickly as possible! This is advice for everyone, not just the ladies. When you’re an entrepreneur in a start up in this industry, you spend a lot of time constantly engaging – about the spirits, the business, the brand – and the whole process starts to feel like you’re on a constant audition, especially being a woman. Knowledge is power, and having friends you can commiserate with over a cocktail makes everything better.
What is your favorite cocktail?
My go-to is Gentilly Gin on the rocks with a dash of citrus bitters and a twist. Perfection!
Angee Bunk
Owner of Nightside Distillery
Why/How did you get into distilling?
Because how cool is it to say “I made this” when enjoying a cocktail?!?
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
People seem surprised at first but after they hear your passion about the business they are supportive.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
With so many craft distilleries opening up, it’s hard to make your name stand out. It takes lots of time, dedication and hard work but it’s totally worth it in the end.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
Our oak-aged vodka called Whodka! It’s sweet, oaky and super smooth.
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
My advice would be don’t take no for an answer! Keep knocking on doors until they know who you are.
What is your favorite cocktail?
Nightside Mule – Our Lemon Drop vodka with raspberry ginger beer!
Caitlin Quinn
Master Distiller of Eau Claire Distillery
Why/How did you get into distilling?
I went to school for chemistry and the craft spirit industry was exciting and more appealing because of the creativity in your day to day life.
What is it like being one of the women in craft distilling?
It’s exciting and great to see more and more women get into this industry over the years.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in the craft distilling industry?
I think the biggest obstacle is educating consumers about the process of creating small batch handcrafted spirits that use local and fresh ingredients. Teaching them that it’s okay if there is fresh ginger in your bottled Moscow Mule or Cherry residue in the Cherry Gin, we don’t filter our products and that is all part of the fun with craft spirits!
What is your distilling background?
I got an undergrad in chemistry and a masters in brewing and distilling from Heriot Watt University and have been working at Eau Claire Distillery for 3.5 years.
What is your favorite spirit your distillery makes?
My favourite spirit to make is Eau Claire Distillery’s Parlour Gin because of the use of local ingredients as well as our Cherry Gin because it is delicious!
What advice would you give a woman getting started in the industry?
Don’t be put off by the male dominance of the industry. It’s a fun and exciting career and every day is different. As well, get as much education as you can, network and never stop learning.
What is your favorite cocktail?
Parlour Gin Tom Collins
