Raising a Dram for International Women’s Day: Meet the Women of Murray McDavid 

Whisky isn’t just a drink, it’s a story, a craft, and a whole lot of passion poured into every bottle. And behind Murray McDavid, there’s an incredible team of women helping to shape that story. 

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the brilliant women who bring their talent and dedication to everything they do. From breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry to inspiring the next generation — they’re proving that whisky is for everyone. 

We asked some of them to share their journeys, inspirations, and thoughts on the future of whisky. So, grab a dram, get comfy, and join us in toasting the women of Murray McDavid! 

Kirsty McGowan

Bottling & Logistics Manager

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
I work in the Bottling & Logistics Team. In a nutshell our team helps bring customers brands to life, supporting them with bottling their casks and shipping stock all over the world.

How did you first get into the whisky industry? Was it something you always wanted to do?
I first got into the industry when I worked at Diageo. I had always worked in admin-based roles and decided that I needed a change so applied for a job as a warehouse operative. After interview, I got offered the job, and became one of only two women at the time working in a warehouse.

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The variety – from the people that you meet, the places that you can go, the different jobs you can get involved in and the end results you can achieve.

Is there a moment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
The highlight for me, is my current role at Aceo and being part of a team that have created over one million bottles.

If you could share a dram with any woman from history, who would it be and why?
Betty White. I just think she was funny and witty and would be so much fun.

Vicky Miller

International Sales Manager for Middle East and Asia

Can you tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?

My job is all about sharing our incredible whiskies globally, working with distributors, hosting tastings, and introducing new audiences to the world of independent bottling. I get to combine travel, whisky, and meeting fascinating people!

How did you first get into the whisky industry? Was it something you always wanted to do?
Whisky has always been part of my story. My dad founded Eden Mill distillery in St Andrews, so you could say it runs in the family! When we first started distilling, he took all of our employees to Islay to learn about whisky first hand. It was a completely new experience for me, and clearly, it stuck! Now, I absolutely love peaty whisky, which makes sense given where it all began.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?
There’s no such thing as a “typical” day, which keeps things exciting! Some days, I’m traveling across Asia or the UAE, meeting with distributors, hosting whisky tastings, and attending events. Other days, I’m working on our strategy, figuring out how to grow our presence in different markets. And, of course, there are plenty of drams to nose and taste along the way.

Whisky has traditionally been a male-dominated industry — have you faced any challenges as a woman in whisky?
There have been moments where I’ve had to prove my knowledge a little more than my male counterparts, but I see that as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The best way to break stereotypes is by knowing your stuff, and I love surprising people who don’t expect me to talk casks, maturation, and finishes!

Have you seen the industry change over the years in terms of inclusivity and opportunities for women?
Absolutely! There are more women than ever in key roles: blenders, brand ambassadors, distillers, and executives. Whisky is for everyone, and it’s great to see that reflected in the industry. That said, there’s always room for improvement, and I think visibility is key. The more we see women in whisky, the more normal it becomes.

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The people! Whisky has this incredible way of bringing people together, whether it’s around a table in Scotland or at a tasting in Shanghai. It’s a shared experience, a conversation starter, and sometimes even a history lesson in a glass. Plus, the industry itself is full of passionate, welcoming people — it’s hard not to love it.

Is there a moment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
One highlight was launching Murray McDavid for the first ever time in Dubai with an event to the Malt Society of Arabia — so much knowledge and passion in one room! Moments like that remind me why I love this industry and the work I do.

Do you have a favourite Murray McDavid whisky? If so, what is it and why?
That’s like picking a favourite child! But if I had to choose, I’d say our 15 year old Ledaig finished in Murca Tawny Port. I love the subtle peat flavour and it is complemented beautifully with the warm port notes coming through.

Are there any women in whisky (or beyond) who inspire you?
Bessie Williamson is a huge inspiration to me. She was the first woman to run a Scotch whisky distillery in the 20th century, taking over Laphroaig at a time when the industry was almost entirely male-dominated. Not only did she prove that women could lead in whisky, but she also played a key role in promoting single malts internationally- helping lay the groundwork for the global whisky market we know today. And, as someone who loves peaty whisky, I have to admire a woman who made such an impact on Islay! She wasn’t just breaking barriers; she was shaping the future of Scotch whisky. I’d love to sit down and share a dram with her, hear her stories, and raise a glass to her legacy. Can you imagine the conversation? Whisky and wisdom — what a pairing!

How do you think we can continue to encourage more women to explore and enjoy whisky?
First, by breaking the outdated idea that whisky is a “man’s drink”. Whisky is diverse — there’s something for everyone, whether you like bold and smoky or light and floral. More tastings, education, and female representation will only help widen the appeal. And let’s be real, whisky cocktails are a game-changer for newcomers!

How do you enjoy your whisky- neat, with water, in a cocktail?
It depends on the moment! Neat when I’m fully appreciating a dram, a few drops of water when I want to open it up, and in a cocktail when the occasion calls for it. A well-made Old Fashioned or Highball? Yes, please!

Judy Johnston

Operations & Sales Administrator

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
I project manage private bottlings, supporting our customers throughout their bottling journey. Whether it be, helping them select and source a bottle, checking their labels meet legal requirements or being on the bottling line to make sure everything is perfect — I am here to support from start to finish.

How did you first get into the whisky industry?
I started out in the beer and cider industry and naturally moved from there.

Was it something you always wanted to do?
Having been in the beer and cider industry for 35 years, turning my attention to spirits would broaden my knowledge and opportunities.

How do you enjoy your whisky — neat, with water, in a cocktail?
A Cocktail!

Becca Smith

Social Media & Marketing Executive

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
My role is all about sharing our passion for whisky with the world — whether that’s through brand storytelling, social media or events, basically just making sure our whiskies get the attention they deserve!

How did you first get into the whisky industry? Was it something you always wanted to do?
I didn’t always plan to work in whisky, but I’ve always loved storytelling and marketing. When the opportunity came up to work with Murray McDavid, I was drawn in by the brand and the craftsmanship and innovation that goes into independent bottling. Now, I can’t imagine working in any other industry!

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The people! Whisky brings together passionate, knowledgeable, and creative individuals from all over the world. I also love how every bottle tells a story.

Is there a moment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
I love when I hear from whisky fans who have discovered Murray McDavid through our work — it makes all the effort worth it!

Do you have a favourite Murray McDavid whisky? If so, what is it and why?
That’s a tough one! If I had to pick, I’d say the Coastal Embrace 28yo Sauternes Wine Finish — I’ve become quite a sucker for a Sauternes finish!

What advice would you give to women looking to start a career in whisky?
Go for it! Be curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The whisky industry thrives on passion, and if you have that, you’ll find your place.

How do you think we can continue to encourage more women to explore and enjoy whisky?
Representation is key — whether it’s more women in leadership roles, more inclusive marketing, or whisky events that feel welcoming to everyone. Whisky isn’t just for one type of person — it’s for anyone who enjoys it!

How do you enjoy your whisky — neat, with water, in a cocktail?
It depends on the whisky! I love a dram neat in most cases, but I’ll sometimes add a drop of water. And if it’s a hot day? A well-made whisky cocktail is always a good choice!

Claire Bell

Events Co-ordinator

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
I manage all of our events for Murray McDavid in particular the Spirit of Speyside and our international trade shows such as Prowien and Whisky Live Paris.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?
No two days are the same. Talking with suppliers, customers, collaborating with teams across the business and, most importantly, creating wonderful experiences.

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The people, you meet so many different people in a variety of places, from trade shows to consumer whisky festivals.

Is there a moment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
MMD ULTRA product launch at the signet library which brought customers, suppliers and friends of Murray McDavid together.

Lily Têtu

Senior Sales Manager

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
My role is international sales. Mostly trying to share my love and passion for whisky with people around the world.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?
There is no such thing as a typical day, it can be anything from looking at numbers on a spreadsheet to hosting a tasting or representing the business at a trade fair abroad; or pulling cask samples in a warehouse. They say about variety being the spice of life?! Totally applies to me and my role at Aceo.

Whisky has traditionally been a male-dominated industry — have you faced any challenges as a woman in whisky?
SO many! Arguably the industry has changed a lot in the last few years, thankfully there are a lot more women in all different kinds of positions within the industry which is great to see. A lot more women feel comfortable drinking whisky too, about time! For many years, it was often thought as an old man’s drink so gratefully we have seen a real switch. You still get the “but do you actually drink whisky” as a woman but I would say, it is a lot less frequent then when I first started.

Have you seen the industry change over the years in terms of inclusivity and opportunities for women?
It’s not necessarily a new thing, there were already so many amazing women in the industry, particularly on the production/blending side, we are just better at celebrating these women now.

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The people. It may be cheesy but no matter what side of the industry you look at production, sales, consumers — there are so many incredible people.

Do you have a favourite Murray McDavid whisky? If so, what is it and why?
It is hard to pick just one! Being quite new to MMD, I make it my mission to try as many of the releases as possible and I have had some lovely drams. One that particularly surprised me was a 15yo Allt-A-Bhainne, finished in a first-fill Madeira cask. I wouldn’t say that Allt-A-Bhainne would typically be in my list of favourites, but this one I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you could share a dram with any woman from history, who would it be and why?
Frida Kahlo. I reckon she’d be a right laugh and we could probably design an amazing label together!

How do you enjoy your whisky — neat, with water, in a cocktail?
It all depends on the whisky really. I like a neat dram, but I have been known to enjoy a whisky cocktail or two. You can never go wrong with a whisky sour, preferably peaty!

Rachel Donnelly

Junior Designer

Tell us about your role at Murray McDavid?
I’m a Junior Graphic Designer at Murray McDavid. In my role, I work on a variety of design projects, including label design, branding , and other visual content. I work with the Design Team to bring creative concepts to life.

What do you love most about working in whisky?
The opportunity to create designs that truly reflect the character of each brand. Designing whisky labels is unique because each bottle has its own identity, making it exciting to bring those elements to life, knowing that the design plays such a key role in shaping the consumer’s first impression.

If you could share a dram with any woman from history, who would it be and why?
Greta Gerwig. As a female director in such a male-dominated industry, I’d love to hear about her experience breaking through barriers and how she’s reshaping the film industry for women.

How do you enjoy your whisky — neat, with water, in a cocktail?
I enjoy my whisky in a cocktail! One of my favourites is a Whisky Sour.

The women of Murray McDavid have shown that whisky isn’t just about barrels and blends — it’s about passion, talent, and a good splash of determination! The industry has come a long way, but there’s always room for more trailblazers and whisky-loving women to shake things up. 

So, this International Women’s Day, let’s raise a dram to some of the women of Murray McDavid and all the incredible ladies making waves in whisky. Cheers to breaking barriers, making history, and, of course, enjoying a fantastic whisky along the way. Slàinte!