Celebrate her story

Spirit Education

Author: The Bar Team

Collage of five women: one in a studio portrait, one pouring a drink at a decorated table, and three seated outdoors in casual attire.

This International Women's month, we invite you to meet our makers. From master blenders and glassware experts to spirit aficionados turned founders, let's celebrate our female innovators.

Lorena Vasquez, Master Blender of Zacapa Rum

Holding the title of Master Blender for over 35 years, Lorena Vasquez was the first female to take on the title at Zacapa. She began her career in quality control and honed in on the technical aspects of creating Zacapa's signature flavors. Lorena Vasquez is largely credited with making Zacapa the premium spirit is it today.

More About Zacapa

Woman with long dark hair and red glasses smiles while holding a glass of brown liquid, leaning on a barrel with “Ron Zacapa” written on it, against a beige background.

Shop Zacapa

A bottle of Ron Zacapa Edición Negra rum with gold lettering and a black woven band around the lower half.

Ron Zacapa XO rum bottle

Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Solera Gran Reserva Especial Rum

Zacapa Cenetario 23 Rum bottle.

Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Rum

A person with short blond hair wearing a dark long-sleeved top stands against a plain gray background, looking slightly to the side with hands clasped.

Dr. Emma Walker, Master Blender of Johnnie Walker

The first female blender in Johnnie Walker's 200 year history. Dr. Emma Walker worked as process chemist after completing her PhD and soon sought out role that married her passion for flavor with her background in science. Emma created several award-winning innovations, including the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series.

Shop Johnnie Walker

Fan Favorites

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky

Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky next to a 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold medal.

Double Black Label

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Bottle

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve whisky next to a 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal.

Gold Label Reserve

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal whisky is shown next to its decorative blue and gold box featuring a swirling blue design.

Label Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal Blended Scotch Whisky

A bottle of Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky next to a 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold medal.

A bottle of Johnnie Walker High Rye Blended Scotch Whisky next to a gold medal from the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

A bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky with a limited edition Miami-themed design, shown next to its matching decorative box.

Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky Miami Edition

Stephanie Summerson Hall, Founder & CEO of Estelle Glassware

A lawyer turned entrepreneur, Stephanie Summerson Hall created a global glassware collection rooted in creating and celebrating special moments. Estelle's namesake comes from Stephanie's grandmother who had a love for antiques and vintage treasures.

A woman in a floral blouse pours a drink at a decorated dining table set with flowers, glassware, and gold utensils under a modern chandelier.

Shop Estelle Glassware

Two empty, light green stemmed glasses are side by side on a transparent background.

Coupe Glasses, Set of Two

Other Colors Available

A square-shaped glass decanter with a matching glass stopper, containing a light amber liquid.

Heritage Decanter

Other Colors Available

Estelle Wine Glass Coral Peach

Wine Stemware, Set of Two

Other Colors Available

Two short, wide, transparent drinking glasses with a slightly tinted hue, placed side by side against a black background.

Hand-blown Colored Rocks Glass, Set of Two

A woman in a white suit stands outdoors, smiling, with green plants and trees in the background.

Carin Luna-Ostaseski, Founder of SIA Scotch

Finding a gap in the market for an ultra-premium yet affordable and approachable scotch whisky, Carin Luna-Ostaseski set out to fill the void and created the award-winning SIA Scotch.

Carin Luna-Ostaseski, Founder of SIA Scotch

A clear glass bottle of SIA Scotch Whisky with a beige and gold label, filled with amber liquid, set against a black background.

Nicole Austin, Master Distiller of George Dickel

A chemical engineer-turned-whiskey master, Nicole Austin began defining her craft in 2010. A recipient of multiple awards, including distiller of the year, Nicole's storied career is attributed to tenacity. From selling and delivering cases to working at both small and massive distilleries, Nicole has done it all to make it happen. "Women need to be visible, that lets other people know there is a place for you."

Shop George Dickel

A woman with long brown hair sits in a wooden chair, wearing a blue denim shirt and holding a glass of beverage, with a dark wooden background.

Shop George Dickel

A bottle of George Dickel Bourbon Whiskey, aged 8 years, with a black cap and tan label, set against a black background.

Bourbon Whisky Aged 8 Years

A bottle of George Dickel Barrel Select Tennessee Whisky with a cream label and red script cap, filled with amber-colored whisky against a black background.

Barrel Select Whisky

A bottle of George Dickel 17 Year Old Tennessee Whisky with a dark maroon and cream label on a black background.

17 Year Old Reserve Tennessee Whisky

A woman wearing a green and white checkered dress, large statement jewelry, and smiling with her hands on her hips against a plain gray background.

Kate Hersh, Founder of August Morgan

What started as an obsession with needle point pillows has evolved into a budding enterprise for Kate Hersh. Whimsical and vintage inspired, Kate's cocktail napkins are true conversation starters. Her secret behind her signature squares? "I usually come up with my napkin ideas at night over a cocktail, naturally."

Shop August Moran

Two pink embroidered foo dogs sit on pedestals above the words FOO FOR LOVE, with LOVE in red, on a white fabric square.

Cocktail Napkins, Foo Foo For Love

Four white napkins with colorful piñata illustrations; two say FIESTA! and two show a resting piñata with the word SIESTA. Confetti surrounds the piñatas.

Cocktail Napkins, Fiesta Siesta

Two cartoon crocodiles face each other with a cocktail glass between them. Text below reads CROC-TAILS.

Cocktail Napkins, Croc-Tails

Two embroidered gray rabbits face a cocktail glass with an olive, above green text reading “Drinking Bunny” on a white cloth background.

Cocktail Napkins, Drinking Bunny

Embroidered image of two pink flamingos facing each other, each holding a cocktail, with the text FLOCK TAILS below them.

Cocktail Napkins, Flocktails

Kat Hantas, Nicole Emanuel & Sarika Singh, Co-founders of 21Seeds

21Seeds was born in Kat Hantas' kitchen, where she used fresh fruits and other simple ingredients to create what would become an award-winning tequila. Combined with her sister Nicole Emanuel's background in media and Sarika Singh's experience with culinary innovation, the three women created a quality tequila brand where they call the shots.

Three women sit outdoors on a white bench in front of greenery, posing for a photo. Two wear dresses, one wears a jean jacket, and one wears a white blouse with black pants.

A bottle of 21 Seeds Cucumber Jalapeño tequila with a label featuring images of cucumber slices and jalapeño peppers, and a wooden capped top.

Cucumber Jalapeño Blanco Tequila

A bottle of 21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus tequila with a white label, grapefruit and hibiscus illustrations, and a wooden cap.

Grapefruit Hibiscus Blanco Tequila

A bottle of 21 Seeds Valencia Orange tequila, featuring a label with an orange slice illustration and text describing its orange and natural flavor infusion.

Valencia Orange Blanco Tequila

A woman in a black dress holds out a bottle of Kikori whiskey with both hands in front of a dark background.

Ann Soh Woods, Founder of Kikori Whiskey

A rice whiskey pioneer with a strong affinity for Japanese culture and food, Ann Soh Woods founded the acclaimed Kikori Whiskey in 2015.

Ann Soh Woods, Founder of Kikori Whiskey

A bottle of Kikori whiskey with a clear glass body, black cap, and black label displaying product details and gold liquid inside.

Japanese Rice Whiskey

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About the Author:

The Bar Team

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The Bar Team is a group of behind-the-scenes writers, bartenders and drinks lovers who share tips, trends and easy how-tos. We mix real bar experience with a love of great drinks to help you try new ideas, learn and get inspired.

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An elegant cocktail with a dried citrus garnish sits on a wooden table under warm lighting.

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A hand holds a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch whisky with a Seasons Greetings! label, on a table with drinks and snacks.

Smiling person enjoying a cocktail outdoors in bright lighting

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