Highlighting Women & Marginalized Genders in Distilling

There’s data out there that says fewer than 1% of U.S. distilleries are owned by women. As we know, data can be interpreted in many ways. Albeit accurate, what people outside of the distilling industry hear is “there aren’t many women in distilling.” Founder of High-Proof Creative, Karen Locke, knows this isn’t true having spent nearly 10 years writing about distilling. Women in Distilling is meant to highlight those women in the distillery whether they are owning, working, or distilling in the industry. Add your company to the map here.

We hope Women in Distilling will be a resource for those hoping to support the industry. Our map has many categories, please contact us if you would like a category added.

We’ll also be featuring womxn in the industry through our written series. Check back often for stories and Q&As.

Along with women in distilling we strive to include nonbinary and transgendered people, women of color, women with disabilities, and other marginalized genders.

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss terminology surrounding gender in the distilling industry.

Latest Stories

By Clare Goggin Sivits On March 8, 2023

Use These 5 Tips to Market Your Woman-Owned Distillery Right Now!

Craft distilleries owned by women, BIPOC or members of the LGBTQ+ still make up a small subsection of the industry. However, the appeal of these businesses extends way beyond the typical white male spirits drinker. Let’s face it: Women and BIPOC distillery owners face uphill battles on many fronts. For instance: securing business funding. In […]

Distillery High-Proof Creative women in distilling

By Clare Goggin Sivits On September 7, 2022

6 Woman-Owned Gin Distilleries to Visit Before the ADI Craft Spirit Conference

This month, the American Distilling Institute kicks off its annual Craft Spirit Conference & Vendor Expo in St. Louis from September 14 through 16. As always, spirits industry pros and experts gather for the event and get all the info they can around craft distilling, liquor innovations, new techniques and updated equipment. The 2022 event […]

Distillery High-Proof Creative women in distilling

By Clare Goggin Sivits On March 17, 2022

There Are More Women in Distilling Than You May Think!

The earliest recorded sour mash whiskey recipe was crafted by a woman. In fact, Catherine Spears Frye Carpenter supported her family by raising cattle and distilling spirits in Kentucky during the early 1800s. Back then, society considered distilling “women’s work.” But after the industrial revolution, it became a male-dominated industry. Here in the 2000s, we’re […]

women in distilling

By Clare Goggin Sivits On October 10, 2021

Women In Distilling: Ali and Sam Blatteis of Home Base Spirits

The road to whiskey for Ali and Sam Blatteis took a lot of interesting turns. When they finally arrived, they were ready to throw the door open and make it accessible for everyone. That’s exactly what they’ve done with Home Base Spirits, located in Berkeley, California. The twins from Oakland, California always intended to open […]

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