The OurWhisky Foundation is set to spotlight the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the whisky industry through the launch of the Demeter Collection. Comprising 18 exceptional whiskies, this collection, inspired and crafted by female whisky makers, will be showcased in an auction aiming to raise awareness and critical funds for the foundation.
Founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, Becky Paskin, emphasizes the prevailing misconception that female whisky makers are a rarity. Paskin challenges this notion, pointing out that women in the industry often go unnoticed, and their achievements remain overshadowed.
Paskin expresses frustration at the lack of representation for women in whisky at events such as masterclasses, panel discussions, and judging panels. She dismisses the baseless assertion that there aren’t enough qualified women in the field, asserting that the thousands of women actively involved in making and selling whisky contradict this unfounded claim.
Notable highlights include the Aberfeldy 40 Year Old, the oldest release to date from the Highland distillery, personally signed by Master Blender Stephanie Macleod for the Demeter Collection. Another standout is the Ardbeg Twenty, a creation by Master Blender Gillian Macdonald paying homage to Uigedail and celebrating her two decades as a whisky maker.
Other gems in the collection include The GlenDronach 30 Year Old Hand Filled, a meticulously chosen expression signed by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie; House of Hazelwood: The Long View 31 Year Old, an exclusive blend celebrating the three women central to House of Hazelwood – Janet Sheed Roberts, Eilidh Muir, and Kirsten Grant-Meikle; Loch Lomond Sonata, a trio of 30-year-old single cask malts selected by Blender Ashley Smith as a profound study of peat; and The Dalmore 44 Year Old, a blend of three 1979 port, red wine, and Sherry casks by Margaret Nicol, commemorating her 50 years in the industry.
The inaugural Demeter Collection auction is scheduled to take place on WhiskyAuctioneer from March 29 to April 8, 2024. This timing aligns with International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, and the second anniversary of the OurWhisky Foundation. The foundation plans to host a carefully curated whisky auction every two years, with all proceeds contributing to the OurWhisky Foundation’s ongoing initiatives.
