Rare Whisky Auction Celebrating Women’s Month Aims to ‘Inspire Current and Future Generations’
Whisky Auctioneer unveiled what it refers to as the first auction dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in the whisky world. (Photo: Whisky Auctioneer)
Whisky Auctioneer announced on Tuesday that in honor of Women’s Month, it is hosting its inaugural auction of “The Demeter Collection” and that proceeds will go to the OurWhisky Foundation. The auction will run March 29 to April 8, and interested parties can register here.
“Historically, our industry has lacked diversity, and that’s something we’re determined to change.” Whisky Auctioneer Head Curator and Spirits Specialist Joe Wilson said in a news release. “To that end, we have been delighted to witness the incredible achievements of The OurWhisky Foundation, and are thrilled to host this auction and shine a spotlight on the stories of women within our industry.”
The Demeter Collection was named after the Greek goddess of grain and features whiskies made by “the industry’s most talented women,” according to Whisky Auctioneer.
Eighteen lots are set to go under the hammer at the auction. Some of the whiskies include a 32-year-old blended whisky from House of Hazlewood; a 44-year-old whisky from Dalmore celebrating the first female distillery manager in Scotland, Margaret Nichol; and a 20-year-old Ardbeg made by master blender Gillian Macdonald.
“Just like Demeter’s sidelining in pop culture, women’s contributions to whisky have been vastly under-recognized,” OurWhisky Foundation founder Becky Paskin said. “Through the Demeter Collection, we want to honor the grain goddess and tell the untold stories of women in whisky, while raising much-needed funds to enable the Our Whisky Foundation to support, recognize and empower future generations of women in the industry.”
OurWhisky Foundation is a non-profit that describes its mission as “supporting, recognizing and empowering professional women in whisky across the globe.” The foundation provides mentorships, free workshops and networking opportunities to women in the industry.
In August, OurWhisky Foundation released a sobering survey shedding light on the difficulties women working within the industry commonly face.
Titled “Do You Even Like Whiskey,” the survey gathered data from 600 women and revealed that 70% of them experienced sexual harassment while working within the industry.
“While the whisky industry appears to be taking steps towards inclusion and better representation, this survey clearly shows women feel they aren’t supported enough,” Paskin expressed. “It’s time the industry sits up and really listens to women’s voices.”
Whisky Auctioneer’s Demeter Collection Lot Listing
- Aberfeldy 40 Year Old
- Ardbeg Twenty
- Arbikie Farm Experience & Hand-filled Rye Whisky
- Atonia’s Legacy: The Sarah Burgess Edition
- Cooper King Cask No. 1: Inaugural Release
- Cotswolds Distillery One of One
- CRN57
- House of Hazlewood: The Long View
- JJ Corry x Tipperary: The Founders Bottles #1
- Laphroaig 25 Year Old: The Bessie Williamson Story
- Loch Lomond Sonata Collection
- Nc’nean Aon 17-302
- SMWS Christmas on the Beach
- Strathearn Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- The Borders Distillery IWD Quarter Cask
- The Dalmore 44 Years Old
- The GlenDronach 30 Year Old Single Cask
- Wire Works Love, Sweat & Tears
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