March Whiskies of the Month - Women in Whisky - The Scotch Whisky Experience

Holyrood Embra

It would be remiss to celebrate the role of women in whisky’s part and present this month without acknowledging their pivotal contributions to private distillation in the heart of Scotland’s capital. Back in the mists of time, with a demand for whisky booming and women being left to take on household chores, women soon took to making whisky illicitly in small pot stills. One of the first of these women to appear in official records was Bessie Campbell in Edinburgh, who in 1556 was ordered to stop making and selling the illegal spirit. In recent times, whisky distilling in the city has boomed, with the notable Holyrood Distillery firing its stills for the first time in 2019.

Holyrood Distillery’s Embra is smooth and smoky, with hints of bonfire and caramel on the nose combined with a sweet and warming palate; taking the drinker back to ‘Auld Reekie’, where women like Bessie Campbell secretly fired their stills to make a profit from their living rooms.

Nc'Nean Organic

Named after the ancient Gaelic goddess Neacheohain, the Nc’nean distillery is an iconic symbol of women in whisky. Founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas, the small independent distillery in the Highland region paves the way as Scotland’s first net zero distillery. Focusing on the independence of women, Nc’nean distillery pays homage to the legend of Neacheohain, who was not only a huntress but also The Queen of Spirits and goddess of wild animals and the surrounding landscape.

Using a combination of shaved, toasted and re-charred casks, ex-American whiskey barrels, and a few sherry casks, Nc’nean organic has a sweet fruity character. The hints of jam and biscuits on the nose combined with a tropical fruity character on the palate welcomes in the coming months of spring.

Benriach The Original Ten

You should never think of the prestigious career of ‘Master Blender’ as a male profession, with many highly successful women crafting our best whiskies, one of which is Rachel Barrie, the Master Blender for Brown Forman. With 30 years’ experience in the industry and becoming the first female Scotch whisky Master Blender to receive an Honorary Doctorate, Barrie emphasises the importance of the role of women, stating that she ‘believes the industry can only benefit from having women involved’.

Of the many expressions Barrie has had a role in creating is our Speyside whisky of the month, Benriach The Original Ten. The Original Ten is matured for ten years in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks, creating a complexly fruity, sweet, and oaky whisky. With orchard fruit and honey on the nose and a sweet and spicy taste on the palate, The Original Ten is a luscious and smooth whisky that encapsulates the signature complexity of Benriach.

Ardbeg 10

Although women have been distilling for centuries such as Edinburgh’s Bessie Campbell, the Islay distillery of Ardbeg claims that their very own Margaret and Flora MacDougall were the first legal female distillers in Scotland. Originally founded by John MacDougall in 1815 and sold to Thomas Buchanan in 1838, Ardbeg soon began to be run by Colin Hay and the MacDougall sisters, Margaret and Flora in 1853 after Buchanan’s death. During this time, Ardbeg claims that Margaret and Flora became Scotland’s first official female distillers, paving the way for future women in the world of whisky and alcohol distillation.

To celebrate this, Islay’s whisky of the month for March and ‘International Women’s Day’ is Ardbeg 10. Intensely peaty on the nose with a mineral and sweet fruity taste on the palate, Ardbeg 10 is a powerful whisky that perfectly complements the powerful women in the distillery’s history.

Dewar's 12 Year Old

With the rising involvement of women in the whisky industry, big names have appeared in recent years such as Stephanie Macleod, the Master Blender for Dewar’s and six-time winner of “Master Blender of the Year”. Working her way up from a researcher for the whisky industry, to joining Dewar’s in 1998 and then becoming Master Blender in 2006, Stephanie Macleod is an inspiration to young women aspiring to join the industry.

One of her blends of note is Dewar’s 12 Year Old. A classic blend from Dewars, it has a fruity, floral and creamy nose with a perfectly balanced palate of malted barley, honey and a slight spice. A smooth and flavourful whisky which is testament to the skill of Stephanie Macleod and women in the whisky industry.

Highland Park 15

Being a key figure in the whisky industry, one cannot forget the pivotal role played by ‘Miss Babs’ Robertson Edrington, who established Edrington, one of the biggest operators in Scotland’s whisky industry. Born in 1903, ‘Babs’s’ father, William Alexander Robertson was highly influential in the whisky industry, founding Robertson and Baxter and Highland Distillers. Upon the death of her father and brother, Babs united with her sister in business matters for the company determined to keep the business alive, rejecting the sale of the business and transferring the business capital to Edrington. Since then, the business has grown immensely, owning distilleries such as Macallan and Highland Park.

To celebrate the legacy of ‘Miss Babs’, the luxury whisky of the month is Highland Park’s 15 year old expression. A part of the distillery’s core range, Highland Park 15 is matured in a combination of ex-sherry and American oak casks. It has a sweet and spicy nose, with hints of orange and cinnamon, combined with a honeyed and smoky palate.