On International Women’s Day, The Moodie Davitt Report is shining the spotlight on different women who are breaking down gender bias and promoting inclusivity and diversity in their respective industries.
Working in a traditionally male dominated industry, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell is familiar with the challenges that women face when entering the spirits business.
Looking back on the beginnings of her whisky journey, Campbell says, “After graduating with a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, I embarked on my journey into the drinks industry. My first role was working in a laboratory, and it was here that I really discovered my passion for Scotch whisky. This was also when I discovered my heightened sense of smell and was recruited onto the sensory panel to assess the spirits that we produced.
It wasn’t long until Campbell’s penchant for flavour and blending earned her promotion as The Macallan’s first female Master Whisky Maker.
“In 2007, I progressed to the role of Whisky Quality Technologist and held various roles within Edrington – The Macallan’s parent company, including Master Blender for The Famous Grouse and Naked Grouse.
“I am now the Master Whisky Maker for The Macallan and lead the Whisky Mastery Team to deliver the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of our single malt whisky.”
Campbell also reflects on the pioneering influences of her career and the whisky makers who have left a mark. “I have been lucky enough to have been mentored by some incredibly talented whisky makers and I remember being in awe at their ability to bring so many flavours together to create an exceptional whisky,” she recounts.
“Standing in the sample room with John Ramsay (Former Master Blender for Edrington), I was amazed by his ability to curate a variety of maturing casks to create a consistent whisky every single time. Having such an array of colour and different characters available. Yet bringing them together in the right balance of flavour and natural colour (a significant feature of The Macallan) really blew my mind, but totally inspired me.”
While whisky is often viewed as a ‘man’s drink’, Campbell says that there is a growing shift in consumer preferences, with more women enjoying whisky and falling in love with the craft of whisky making.
She says, “Globally more women are enjoying whisky and I am pleased to have witnessed a shift in whisky being perceived as a spirit only consumed by men. There is also a growing number of women working in whisky making, and I am pleased to be part of this.”
Reflecting on her legacy as The Macallan’s first-ever Master Whisky Maker and offering her advice to women looking to take the leap into the whisky world, Campbell says: “It is exciting to be part of The Macallan’s story as the first woman to be Master Whisky Maker and custodian for The Macallan since it was established almost 200 years ago. I hope this inspires other women to challenge perceptions in the whisky industry.”
For Campbell, the title Master Whisky Maker has no gender, she says “With the wider Whisky Mastery Team, it is our responsibility to build on the close to 200 years history of the brand and continue the legacy. Becoming a whisky maker takes passion, hard work and dedication, as well as natural sensory ability and is a fantastic role for both men and women.”
*As reported, Aer Rianta International and The Moodie Davitt Report are celebrating on International Women’s Day via an inspiring website makeover and social media campaign under the banner ‘She Who’.
