Women in Spirits

ABC: What was your journey in getting this role? How did it come about?

Lexie: I began my journey here in bottling and quality control in 2013. By the end of 2014, I had been inspired to come up to the Stillhouse to be a distiller. Between the people I worked with and the process that we followed - it became a true passion. Within a couple of years, I had become one of the Lead Distillery Operators - with a focus on training new employees and ensuring day-to-day operations ran smoothly. Then I started helping with Barrel Proof Selections in 2018-19. Chris Fletcher [Master Distiller] saw my passion for Jack and knew I had deep roots here at the distillery. When Chris stepped up to be the Master Distiller, he wanted me to be the Assistant Distiller working side-by-side with him protecting the traditions of making great whiskey. Being the first woman here at Jack to hold this position is such an honor and I cannot wait to see what the journey will bring!

What has been your experience as a female in the industry?

I was only the 6th woman to be a distiller at Jack Daniel’s. It’s a physically demanding job. Mechanical mindset, critical thinking and problem-solving are necessary, even at 2 a.m., since we are a 24/7 operation. You must be confident in your work but also be able to deliver that with effective communication. People think since this is a male-dominated job that it’s a “boys club, no girls allowed,” but that is far from the reality. What I experienced was that the guys just wanted someone who will work as hard as they do and be a good team member. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, it comes down to work ethic. I’ve had many allies/mentors/leaders throughout my time in this industry, all these men and women have had an impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for that.

What would you tell a female who is hoping to create a similar path as you?

Do it! Just jump in. Read books, listen to podcasts, go to whiskey tastings; there are a lot of first steps you can take, all that matters is you take the first step. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom and work your way into the thing you love, you’ll gain a lot of respect that way. I am very lucky to work with a lot of people that love what we do and are very willing to share that knowledge, look for those people. Be confident but stay humble and never lose your curiosity.

Shop Jack Daniel’s Collection

ABC: What was your journey in getting this role? How did it come about?

Clara: After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering - I worked in a craft brewery, on the side, while working full time in a medical lab. During this time, I was approached by a distillery in Kentucky to come work for Kentucky’s first female distiller. Upon learning about their story, I knew this was my next step. Throughout college I focused on fluid flow operations and knew I wanted to work with some form of distillation. I never expected it would be spirits; however, I am incredibly grateful it worked out this way. My time at Castle & Key began my journey in spirits and I fell in love with it quickly.

What separates your brand from others in the same category?

St. Petersburg Distillery thrives to make sure we are using as many local ingredients as possible. It is not easy sourcing Florida grains and botanicals, but it is a priority for us. We strive to support St. Pete local businesses and Florida fresh ingredients. This is not limited to our suppliers and distributors; we also love to shine a light on other distilleries and breweries in the area. As an industry, we are stronger together and enjoy recommending other spirits and brews to people that stop into our tasting room.

What has been your experience as a female in the industry?

I was blessed in the early days of my career in the spirits industry while working with the first female master distiller in Kentucky. I had a female leader who was a beautiful example of how to command respect gracefully and kindly. I try to remind myself of that every now and then. When I, eventually, did not have that anymore and I was the only female in many meetings and situations I realized I had to speak up more and with more confidence than ever before. I was being looked over and not being heard - but this challenged me to learn to step into the role that I had been prepared for. Being a woman in this field means owning your confidence and femininity to offer a perspective that others cannot. Our thoughts are intense and beautiful, the spirits industry would be remiss without our perspectives.

Shop St. Petersburg Collection

ABC: Can you explain your role at Heaven Hill Distillery?

Abby: I am a Quality Control Specialist, which means I am responsible for all aspects of quality control for distillery operations, from grain receipt through distillation. I develop and implement quality control best practices as they relate to production monitoring, process optimization and continuous improvement. I develop and implement data collection and analysis systems to drive a culture of continuous improvement.

What is your background and how has it helped you in your current role?

I have had the privilege to work at some of the largest whiskey distilleries in the country. My microbiology and fermentation knowledge and research background drive results at the distillery. I'm able to explore new opportunities and innovations to make us even more efficient and consistent. Having a science degree has helped to frame questions and critically think. While I may not be carrying out the full scientific method, I am often asking questions and trying to work backwards to identify a quality issue.

What has been your experience as a female in the industry?

Distillery production environments can be demanding and intimidating (you can't make bourbon fast enough right now!) and these spaces are predominantly male managed. I'm lucky to have found mentors in all my jobs that have given me wonderful life and career advice. I am lucky to have had progressive managers who champion my career development. I've yet to work with someone who is stuck in the past when it comes to women in the workplace. I've worked with a handful of brilliant women at spirit companies. They may not be on the covers, but they are behind the scenes making sure you have the best product possible. Women have worked in distilleries since before Prohibition. Back then, it was considered unsavory for women to have a job in general, much less at a distillery, so their stories weren’t elevated. I want people to see that you don't have to fit a stereotype to work in a distillery. We need all types of people to continue making the best bourbon possible.

Shop Heaven Hill Collection

ABC: What separates your brand from others in the same category?

Lesley: What the customer might see is the rose and cucumber that makes us stand apart. Our classic cucumber garnish, old Victorian style apothecary bottle and perhaps, our quite peculiar events. But underpinning of all this is the liquid. We act a little unusual because we’re made unusually. Hendrick’s is distilled using not one, but two utterly dissimilar types of stills. A Bennett, which is an antique copper pot still dating right back to 1860, and a rare Carterhead from 1948 of which only a handful exist today. The Bennett style stills steep their botanicals, resulting in a rich, complex spirit, whereas the Carterhead gently steams the botanicals in a basket atop its long neck, creating a lighter, more delicate spirit. The precise marrying of these two types of distillate, alongside our trusty cucumber and rose, results in a rare combination of lightness, depth and intricacy. Each batch of Hendrick’s Gin is crafted 550 lovely liters at a time in batches at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace and benefits from the plentiful soft water of the nearby Penwhapple Reservoir.

Can you describe the Gin Palace?

The Hendrick’s Gin Palace is my playground, filled with all my favorite things. You follow a path lined with wildflowers and enter the walled garden through this beautiful old door. If you are lucky enough, I’ll be waiting to let you in. The Hendrick’s Gin Palace was built in the image of an old Victorian Palm House. It has this incredible domed glass ceiling and is flanked by my beloved hothouses, which is where I tend to all manners of weird and wonderful botanicals and flora from around the world.

There’s a tropical hothouse to the left, which to me is the scent of the Amazon—a place I was lucky enough to explore back in 2013 on a wonderful quest for rare and unusual botanicals. Now, it contains everything from Scottish-grown bananas, mango, hibiscus and pineapple, to coconut, coffee, cacao and peppercorn. To your right, is my Mediterranean hothouse, which houses many varieties of citrus trees, such as orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. It can also be used for other experimental plants, such as prickly pears and agave, which I have managed to source and will be harvested, distilled and experimented with. Inside you will find six beautiful stills that make Hendrick’s. My favorite is the original Bennett still. Upstairs you’ll find my laboratory where I experiment with different flavors, and understand how they interact with each other, a lecture theatre where we deconstruct the Hendrick’s Gin for our friends in the trade and a very nice bar where others get to be creative, and I just get to sit and enjoy the results. I never make cocktails - I leave all that shaky-shaky stuff to the experts.

When you aren’t working – what are you doing?

When I’m not working, my favorite thing to do is walk my dog. I’m a big animal person. I have one dog, two tortoises, two rabbits, a hamster and lots of fish. I’d have more if I could. I also love being outside, walking and exploring the different scents you find outdoors. I’m forever wandering around gardens of country houses and just sniffing everything I see and occasionally acquiring an odd cutting. I love flowers, especially orchids and spend a lot of time gardening.

Read the full interview with Lesley Gracie here.

Shop Hendrick’s Gin Collection

ABC: What separates your brand from others in the same category?

Kat: 21 Seeds is an award winning all-natural real fruit infused tequila that allows you to make easy low-calorie cocktails with absolutely no sacrifice on taste. Unlike most “flavored” spirits in the industry, 21 Seeds is infused with real fruit and botanicals, so there’s a hint of flavor without being sugary - that’s what makes all the difference. Also, our commitment to quality. We knew that we would only get one chance at this, and it had to be right. We are lucky to have Sarika on our team, who is a Stanford educated mechanical engineer. She helped figure out the processes that allow us to create our real fruit infusions so that our liquid is consistent and delicious.

What is your background in? Has it helped you in your current role?

I was a filmmaker in my prior career and my job was to tell stories. I think this is the key to how you build any brand—through storytelling. The tequila is the object, ‘the what.’ The real reason is ‘the why.’ That’s where storytelling comes into play big time. And not just with our consumers but in every aspect of our marketing, even with our distributor. We always need to tell a compelling story because that’s what sets our brand apart from any other.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Connecting with other female founders who have created trailblazing companies and working with my amazing team, we have learned and grown so much together.

Shop 21 Seeds Tequila