Tag: Bourbon

Bourbon Women Reveal Finalists for the 2024 WOW Awards

Bourbon Women has just announced the finalists for their inaugural WOW (Women of Whiskey) Awards. The official ceremony will take place Friday, August 16, 2024, during the Bourbon Women SIPosium.

The WOW Awards recognize women who have shown leadership and have created opportunities for community and connection within the whiskey world. Bourbon Women, the first female whiskey consumer group in the U.S., will present these awards as part of their ongoing mission to honor the achievements of women in spirits.

Listed below are the finalists:

Brand Ambassador of the Year:
• Avalon Oona Hass, Catoctin Creek Distilling
• Creola Dickerson, New Riff Distilling

Spirits Diversity Program of the Year:
• Camp Runamok
• STEPUP

Bartender of the Year:
• Amie Ward, Camp Runamok
• Megan Ford, Jeptha Creed Distillery

Spirits Writer of the Year:
• Maggie Kimberl, American Whiskey Magazine
• Shelley Sackier, Reservoir Distillery

Master Blender of the Year:
• Ashley Barnes, The Blending House and The Spirits Group
• Nancy Fraley, Nosing Services

Spirits Influencer/Podcaster of the Year:
• Kerry Moynahan, Barrel Room Chronicles
• Stephanie Burt, The Southern Fork

Master Distiller/Production Manager of the Year:
• Joyce Nethery, Jeptha Creed Distillery
• Marlene K. Holmes, Milam & Greene Whiskey

Mike Keyes Ally of the Year:
• Deborah Brenner, Women of the Vine and Spirits
• Dr. Janice Fernheimer, University of Kentucky

Woman-Owned Brand of the Year:
• Jeptha Creed
• Whiskey Sisters Supply

Legacy Achievement Award:
• Erica Fields, Fields Kentucky Spirit
• Margie A. S. Lehrman, American Craft Spirits Association

Peggy Noe Stevens Trailblazer Award:
• Ms. Elmer Lucille Allen

Finalists were nominated by their companies, peers, and communities. Heather Wibbels, managing director of Bourbon Women, stated, “The WOW Awards honor influential women who are redefining the whiskey industry through their innovation, leadership, and perseverance. These finalists exemplify the spirit of excellence and serve as powerful role models, motivating women everywhere to pursue and succeed in the world of whiskey.”

For further details: https://bourbonwomen.org/

Source:Bourbon Women

Bourbon Women Association Launch Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion Initiative

Furthering its educational mission, the Bourbon Women Association has announced its new Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion Initiative.

This new scholarship program builds on the organization’s Amber Circle mentoring program that started in 2019. It strives to empower women and those from underrepresented communities in the bourbon and spirits industry.

“We are so fortunate to be able to work in an industry that is always embracing change, and opening the doors to others so they can join us is one of the core missions of the Bourbon Women Association,” says Bourbon Women President Maggie Kimberl. “I am thrilled to be able to use the power of this first-ever female whiskey consumer organization to support women in growing their careers.”

The Amber Circle initiatives aims to create programs that benefit a more diverse and inclusive membership within Bourbon Women, and throughout the spirits industry. The program’s mission recognizes the importance of representation from all facets of human experience, including BIPOC women LGBTQIA+ women, and women of different abilities, educational levels and backgrounds.

The inaugural Amber Circle Diversity & Inclusion group of a dozen women will receive training through the Stave & Thief program. Founded in 2014, Stave & Thief was the first bourbon certification program recognized by the bourbon industry, the organization says, and is designated by the Kentucky Distillers Association as its “Official Bourbon Education Course.” The training is by Louisville-based Moonshine University.

“Discovery happens when you push boundaries,” says Board Chair Heather Wibbels. “Amplifying the voices and experiences of the underrepresented in the bourbon community encourages the bourbon industry to reach out and invite more diversity in their outreach to consumers and their own companies. We’re reaching out to members of our community and the whiskey spirits industry to support this initiative to advocate change from the ground up.”

The initiative kicks off with a donation campaign to raise scholarship funds. Individual donations of $250 and corporate donations of $1,000 or more are encouraged, the organization says.

Donations in these amounts may be made through Bourbon Women’s website on the Amber Circle page. For larger donations, contact Maggie.kimberl@bourbonwomen.org.

The Bourbon Women Association is a registered nonprofit organization.

#womeninspirits #womensupportingwomen #womenleaders #bourbon #womeninbourbon #BourbonWomenAssociation #womeninbusiness