Olivia Taylor
The Rise of Female Bourbon Distillers
The world of spirits and distillation was for a long time seen as the provenance of men. However, the winds of change are blowing. A ground-breaking cocktail of passion, determination, and skill is disrupting the traditional gender barrier in the bourbon distillation industry. The catalyst? Recent success of “Forbidden”, the first bourbon to be designed and produced entirely by a female team
How “Forbidden” Changed Everything
Debuting to much fanfare, “Forbidden” is a spirit crafted by Joyce Nethery, master distiller at Jeptha Creed Distillery in Kentucky. Nethery and her team managed to dramatically break this glass ceiling, pioneering the way for female distillers across the globe. Providing a fusion of modern techniques with traditional craftsmanship, “Forbidden” is taking the spirit world by storm and is boldly treading where no women have treaded before.
The Significance of “Forbidden” in the Bourbon World
The creation and success of “Forbidden” continue to send waves through the industry, challenging the status quo and reshaping how we think about bourbon creation. Its influence extends beyond the palate, shedding light on underlying gender disparities within the bourbon industry. The creation of this ground-breaking spirit clearly demonstrates that skill, passion and dedication are gender-neutral attributes, vital for success in any field, including distillation.
The Rising Wave of Female Distillers
The question now is – will more female distillers follow in the wake of “Forbidden’s” success? If the current trend is anything to go by, it seems highly probable. The success of “Forbidden” has raised awareness about the role women can play in the liquor production industry. This seems to be motivating more and more women to immerse themselves in the predominantly male domain of bourbon distillation.
Encouraging More Diversity in Bourbon Distillation
The time has come to introduce more diversity into the bourbon industry, and it goes beyond a simple matter of fairness or equality. It also comes down to business sense. Having a diverse mix of distillers can lead to fresh, innovative approaches that can challenge, inspire and even push the boundaries of what is possible in bourbon creation.
Conclusion: A Welcome Change
The rise of female distillers is not a fleeting trend, but a welcome change in an industry ripe for disruption. We, the bourbon-lovers, are set to benefit the most from this evolution, with the potential for unprecedented innovation in bourbon refining and production. We eagerly anticipate the increasing contribution of skilled women to the bourbon industry, a dialogue sparked off by the remarkable success of “Forbidden”. Let’s lift our glasses in a toast, to diversity, to innovation, and to the women sculpting the bourbon industry.
