I mean really? Is there really a need for an international women of whisky day? Really?

This year, day 3 of the Speyside Whisky Festival showcased an inaugural day devoted to "International Women in whisky" to which I and Alwynne Gwilt, Annabel Meikle and Angela D'Orazio were presenters. It was a FANTASTIC DAY and I couldn't have been prouder to be a part of. A few posts about it here:

http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/04/womens-role-in-whisky-celebrated-with-festival/

http://whiskygirl.nl/lets-hear-it-for-the-girls-girls/

http://whiskycorner.co.uk/news/spirit-of-speyside-festival-2014/johanne-mcinnis-the-whisky-lassie-sensipedia-of-whisky/

http://whiskycorner.co.uk/news/spirit-of-speyside-festival-2014/soswf-miss-whisky-chocolate-whisky-masterclass/

http://whiskycorner.co.uk/news/spirit-of-speyside-festival-2014/annabel-meikle-explains-taste-of-the-senses/

Our classes were very well attended (a few sold out) and we had a great mix of men/women. We created a hashtag (of course) -> #IWOWD and asked people to post to social media. We had over 1200 photos, well wishes, etc..  It was so successful we plan on doing it again for the festival next year as well as make it bigger world wide.

Great you say, lovely story and congratulations and all that... so then why do I feel the need to write this piece and how do I create a blog about the importance of women in whisky without sounding like I'm a male bashing crazy feminist!?  Hmmmm, like I do everything else in my life:  One small step at a time...  

I'm a woman. I have a vagina, nipples and sometimes I like wearing pink or high heels. I make a huge assumption that almost 100% of people who read this blog know that. I love whisky, I think that's another easy assumption considering it's mostly what I like to write about. (You still with me? Good...) So if you are a guy reading this I assume you love whisky as much as I do and you have a penis, breasts and you might also enjoy wearing pink or in some cases heels. 

With me so far -> We are mostly alike except you have an "outie" and I have an "innie".  So what happens then, why are we treated so differently when it comes to the world's perception about drinking whisky? I can tell you a few huge differences from my perspective. When you go to one of my classes vs one of Davin De Kergommeaux, Charlie McLean or any other "guy" presentation, I guarantee, unless you are gay (and even then I'm not so sure...) that you will never look over at me and say: "I'd like to F_CK him, just look at that rack". Or watch one of the male participants slip their hand on Charlie McLean's ass and give it a little pat/squeeze... 

Don't think that really happens?? Yes, it does but thankfully less and less. The point I'm trying to make, in case you still don't get it is some men still are quite sexist. You would never hear: "He must have been hired because he's really sexy" or overhear a bartender say: "Excuse me sir, are you ordering this whisky for your wife?"...  

So, it wasn't until I walked into one of the most reputable whisky establishments in the Speyside region to pick up a whisky for my presentation that I was put in what I felt was an awkward situation. While waiting for the whisky, Graham mentioned that I was one of the four lovely ladies speaking for the International Women of Whisky (#IWOWD) and the man behind the counter literally clenches his fists and said: "Oh don't get me started! I hate it when women feel the need to have a day. Why do you have to have a day?" and the rant began. I stood politely trying to "justify" why we needed it.  In hindsight, I think I did a piss poor job. I simply floundered and it bothered me for months hence my need to write something about it.

BECAUSE OF COURSE WOMEN DRINK WHISKY WITH STRAWS??!

The reality is most people (male & female) don't know many women who drink whisky. The statistics, based roughly on the top 5 countries clearly demonstrate we are the minority. On average 1 in 3 whisky drinkers is a woman. This could explain the lopsided attempts to advertise whisky to my demographic...

WE TOOK DEWARS DOWN BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS WORTHY OF THEIR WHISKY

Or why people still see it as my father's drink and not my own. Or why women don't work in the whisky industry as much as men do?!  Do you know there has never been a female cooper at the Speyside Cooperage or that 99% of the distilleries don't have a female working on the "floor" in any capacity? Is it because they refuse to hire them... NO it's because women don't choose these places as part of their career path.  

But wait a second, has there been an abundance of female doctors, judges, heads of state, marathon runners or firefighters during the last 50 years or so?  Not really... and why is that? Was it partly because it's what "men" always did and women simply didn't? And what happened when women could be all those things and more... -> We simply started doing it. Why? Because the next generation saw it was possible. It started the wheels in motion and when we saw other women becoming top paid athletes or running their own corporations others started to follow. I graduated from a class of chemical engineering technologist in 1995. We were a class of 135, of that 12 were women. In 2015 the graduating class from that same program is expected to be 156, 83 are women. That's progress! 

Did it not begin to change how men saw women in those fields? I think so personally. I am respected and considered an equal in my field of project management and I would dare say any man that is a part of our whisky society seems me as an equal if not a leader there as well.

Let me reiterate why I'm stressing this point.  I'm not demanding that men "let us in".  I'm not bashing males. I'm not screaming from the soap box about GIRL POWER. What I'm saying is, the more we (men & women) show everyone that women exists and are respected in all sorts of dimensions of the whisky world:  we drink, we write, we judge, we make, we showcase, we market, we LOVE whisky then the more it will be become a gender neutral spirit that is shared by all. 

So... instead of rolling your eyes and getting all huffy that an international women of whisky day was created why not consider and help promote the following:

International women of whisky day was not created to satisfy a need to celebrate that we demand to be recognized in the whisky world. Au contraire mon frère: It was created with the hope that being "visible" will foster the fact that it's quite normal to see a woman drink whisky and even more normal to pick it as a career.  

ALLSON PATEL - BRENNE WHISKY FOUNDER

The only way whisky will stop being a "man's drink" is if we are celebrated as the norm and we continue to show that it's simply a drink for people... with really good taste ;)  

And...  I might add to the gentleman who said to me: "I'm going to start our own movement and create a man's international whisky day" I wish I would have said:  "Be thankful you never needed one to begin with". 

Just one whisky person hoping to see/effectuate change...

Johanne   

SINGLE DIGITS to #WhiskyfabricRoadtrip.... Gulp...

OMG! OMG! OMG! 

NINE!!!!!!!!!  

I say this with great enthusiasm, a bit of squealing and no exaggeration I assure you...  In case you have been living under a rock or simply don't read my blog, in 9 days I leave for UK/Europe for 10 weeks. My journey starts at the "cradle" of whisky in Speyside, Scotland and makes its way through 6 other countries namely:  France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark & Sweden.  I have no idea how many people, distilleries or whiskies I am about to be introduced to? 

The trip originally was planned in 2012 and was supposed to be for 2 weeks in Scotland.  Over the course of that time (mainly 2013) it grew, and grew and GREW!  

The support I have received (and I'm not even other there yet) has been overwhelming. The offers to experience some pretty unique things - priceless. My only worry is how to get all the whisky home? hehehe

I have tried to plan some downtime so that I can blog weekly about my adventures.  I assure you, these will be filled with hilarity and sometimes confusion but wonderful stories. I hope to share the outpouring of kindness that has been extended to me to the point where you, the reader feel you are along side me on this massive epic #whiskyfabricRoadtrip.  (Please bring a map, I get lost a lot... )

So, hang on... don't laugh at me too much as you revel in my stories. 

Part 1 begins April 25th where we take off for Scotland.  Stay tuned and thank you in advance for sticking around.  

As for those about to experience the weird & wacky Lassie...  This picture pretty much sums it all up. You've been warned :) If you don't believe me ask the people of New York:  @cooperedtot @WhatTastesGood @whiskygirls or @boozedancing. 

Cheers! 

Johanne

Spirit of Speyside reveals - International Women of Whisky Day for 2014 Festival

You know... Back in November of 2013 as I drove to a whisky dinner being hosted by Martine Nouet I felt like I was at a crossroads. Many things had happened over the course of the summer & I was struggling with where I "stood" when it came to whisky & me. As I entered the hotel room and poured myself a bath, I texted Graham and said: "I don't even want to go to this event now" I utterly felt defeated and couldn't even explain why but I put on my best face and went. About 20 minutes into the evening Martine took a few moments and did something that shocked me: She introduced me to the attendees. May not sound like much but for me it was the kick in the pants I so desperately needed. That night was the beginning of the end of doubt as to where I was going and although I may feel sometimes like I still have no idea where the road leads, I'm confident that it's bringing me exactly where I'm suppose to be.  

Everything seemed to naturally fall in place after that. Chance encounters led to new friendships & concrete projects. I often take the time to thank Martine for being a role model for so many of us trying to break into this field and I will never let her forget how important she. The giants:  Rachel, Ann, Angela, Martine and so many more are where they are because of their passion, love & dedication. We, the next generation of whisky women, look forward to doing them proud and continuing the ground work for those that will come after us. 

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival declares May 3, 2014 - International Women in Whisky Day 

Spirit of Speyside is proud to introduce the first ever International Women of Whisky Day on May 3, 2014 to recognise the growing number of women working in the industry and sipping Scotland’s national drink.  

It wasn't that long ago that 20% of whisky drinkers were women, the number has doubled with numbers reaching up to 40% in some countries.   With that comes a growing number of women taking on key roles in the industry, from production managers to brand ambassadors. 

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell hopes that whisky drinkers will mark the day no matter where they are in the world and adds:  “It seems fitting that Speyside should be the focus for the very first International Women in Whisky Day, since it is home to Cardhu which was founded by Helen Cumming in 1824. To this day it is still the only malt whisky distillery pioneered by a woman.”

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place in Scotland’s most prolific whisky producing region from May 1 to 5, and will host a day-long programme on Saturday May 3. It takes place at The Aberlour Hotel in Aberlour and will be complemented by other events led by women during the five day Festival.

IWOWD kicks off with Introduction to the Sensipedia of Whisky with Johanne McInnis, a Canadian whisky writer and judge known as Whisky Lassie. She will be teaching people how each of the five senses can be used to appreciate and enjoy Scotch.

Another Canadian – Alwynne Gwilt – will be leading a whisky and chocolate pairing session. Alwynne, also known as Miss Whisky and now based in London, is the current Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival International Ambassador of the Year in recognition of her efforts to educate people about Scotch whisky.

Renowned whisky writer Annabel Meikle will be shedding light on tasting notes by exploring the language of whisky, explaining where the aromas come from. Participants will then be tasked with creating their own tasting note after a blind taste test. In addition to writing about whisky, Annabel has her own consultancy, The Whisky Belle.

Master blender Angela D’Orazio from Mackmyra Distillery in Sweden will be introducing revellers to the unique whisky expression at her event. She will be sharing the story behind the distillery, her rise as one of the whisky women of her generation and a few fantastic drams. 

Ann Miller is international brand ambassador for Chivas Brothers and is also one of the directors of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. She will be contributing to the programme by running a guided walk – the James Fleming Trail – looking at the story of the man who founded Aberlour Distillery, and a tasting which deconstructs Aberlour’s double cask maturation.  She says, “International Women of Whisky Day is a fantastic way to recognise the contribution made to the industry by women not just in Scotland but all over the world.  

"It will also help to underline the opportunities that exist to develop a career in the whisky industry, which is no longer the once male-dominated place that it used to be. It is essential that we encourage new blood – whether female or male – into the Scotch whisky industry to ensure it continues to go from strength to strength."

“The programme taking place at Aberlour is one of the most anticipated events of the Festival – each of the women participating is an authority of whisky in her own right and although these events are hosted by women, they are not just for women, but for everyone.”

“The inspiration for this day came in part from the enormous influence of whisky writer and expert Martine Nouet, who has been a regular participant of the Festival for over a decade. She has led a range of not to be missed events over many years and this year Martine will host a number of events at Glen Rothes Distillery.”

A Twitter hashtag has been set up for International Women in Whisky Day - #IWOWD. There are events led by women taking place throughout the Festival, including distillery tours and whisky tutoring.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which is now in its 15^th year, takes place at venues across the region and boasts a programme of over 30 events. A signature event for Homecoming 2014, it will start Whisky Month – a four week national celebration of Scotland’s world class food and drink.

It will also launch a brand new event this year – The Spirit of Speyside Sessions – which aims to put to spotlight on the area’s traditional music heritage with concerts and ceilidhs being staged in venues closely linked to the whisky industry.

Tickets for all events in the 2014 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme, including the roving judging sessions, can be bought via the website – www.spiritofspeyside.com The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter. 

It is with the greatest anticipation that I look forward to the road and where it will lead me.  All I know is... for now, it's looking really great and the company I keep is pretty awesome too. 

Lassie