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Glasgow women say whisky is no drink for old men Glasgow women say whisky is no drink for old men
(8 days later)
Few things are as synonymous with rugged Scottish masculinity as whisky – but a group of women in Glasgow is hoping to attract more female consumers to Scotland's national drink.Few things are as synonymous with rugged Scottish masculinity as whisky – but a group of women in Glasgow is hoping to attract more female consumers to Scotland's national drink.
The Glasgow Women's Whisky Club – thought to be the first of its kind in the UK – runs regular tasting sessions at the city's respected Pot Still specialist whisky pub in central Glasgow and organises visits to some of Scotland's most acclaimed distilleries.The Glasgow Women's Whisky Club – thought to be the first of its kind in the UK – runs regular tasting sessions at the city's respected Pot Still specialist whisky pub in central Glasgow and organises visits to some of Scotland's most acclaimed distilleries.
Chairwoman Geraldine Murphy said she'd founded the club to provide an open, sociable setting for female drinkers:Chairwoman Geraldine Murphy said she'd founded the club to provide an open, sociable setting for female drinkers:
I felt like some whisky tastings could be very guy-oriented.I felt like some whisky tastings could be very guy-oriented.
We want to provide something that's a little more relaxed and informal – somewhere that's a bit more inviting to women where they might be more willing to ask questions than they would be at a mixed tasting.We want to provide something that's a little more relaxed and informal – somewhere that's a bit more inviting to women where they might be more willing to ask questions than they would be at a mixed tasting.
Murphy, the Pot Still's assistant manager, said that the club had proven popular since its first event in August.Murphy, the Pot Still's assistant manager, said that the club had proven popular since its first event in August.
When I first started putting the idea about there was a lot of interest, and now we've got 23 members, which is about as many as we can fit into our space in the pub.When I first started putting the idea about there was a lot of interest, and now we've got 23 members, which is about as many as we can fit into our space in the pub.
It's a real mix of people. We've got some members who are total newcomers to whisky and want to learn more and others who really know their stuff, so it's never a boring night.It's a real mix of people. We've got some members who are total newcomers to whisky and want to learn more and others who really know their stuff, so it's never a boring night.
Among the club's members is film technician Zoe Wight. She experienced something of a whisky epiphany while working on the Ken Loach film The Angels' Share, which revolves around a group of offenders on community service attempting to steal a valuable single malt. She said:Among the club's members is film technician Zoe Wight. She experienced something of a whisky epiphany while working on the Ken Loach film The Angels' Share, which revolves around a group of offenders on community service attempting to steal a valuable single malt. She said:
I used to think I didn't like whisky – the taste actually used to make me shiver.I used to think I didn't like whisky – the taste actually used to make me shiver.
But when we were working on the film we were sent so many free samples. They got shared out between the cast and crew and that changed my mind.But when we were working on the film we were sent so many free samples. They got shared out between the cast and crew and that changed my mind.
My boyfriend heard about the club starting up and told me about it. I looked it up and it seemed like a really good idea, so I came along to the meeting in October.My boyfriend heard about the club starting up and told me about it. I looked it up and it seemed like a really good idea, so I came along to the meeting in October.
Wight said the women's group was more approachable than others she had previously attended.Wight said the women's group was more approachable than others she had previously attended.
I've been along to the Edinburgh Scotch Malt Whisky Society.I've been along to the Edinburgh Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
But that's a very well established club, whereas the Glasgow one is still quite new, so it just feels a bit more open. The Edinburgh club is also members-only, and I'm not a member, so I could only go with friends who were.But that's a very well established club, whereas the Glasgow one is still quite new, so it just feels a bit more open. The Edinburgh club is also members-only, and I'm not a member, so I could only go with friends who were.
I think that whisky has had a bit of an image as an old man's drink until quite recently.I think that whisky has had a bit of an image as an old man's drink until quite recently.
I'd like to play a part in changing that.I'd like to play a part in changing that.
Many in the drinks industry are equally keen to change this stuffy, macho perception – not least because women present distillers with a substantial untapped market, in the UK and worldwide.Many in the drinks industry are equally keen to change this stuffy, macho perception – not least because women present distillers with a substantial untapped market, in the UK and worldwide.
Some of Scotland's biggest whisky producers have approached the club to offer tastings, distillery visits and the chance to sample rare or unusual products, Murphy said.Some of Scotland's biggest whisky producers have approached the club to offer tastings, distillery visits and the chance to sample rare or unusual products, Murphy said.
We've had a visit from Rachel Barrie, the master blender from Auchentoshan.We've had a visit from Rachel Barrie, the master blender from Auchentoshan.
We've been to a couple of distilleries and they've laid on lunch, tastings and tours.We've been to a couple of distilleries and they've laid on lunch, tastings and tours.
People are really keen to get involved, we haven't had to go begging at all.People are really keen to get involved, we haven't had to go begging at all.

Joy Elliott, a spokeswoman for The Macallan who was at the last club event, said there were compelling reasons to work with it and its members.
Joy Elliott, a spokeswoman for The Macallan who was at the last club event, said there were compelling reasons to work with it and its members.
Quite simply, it's an opportunity for us to connect with enthusiastic people.Quite simply, it's an opportunity for us to connect with enthusiastic people.
Historically whisky has been a very male-dominated arena, and it will probably continue to be for a while yet. But there are more and more female drinkers and more and more women working in the industry as ambassadors and as actual whisky makers.Historically whisky has been a very male-dominated arena, and it will probably continue to be for a while yet. But there are more and more female drinkers and more and more women working in the industry as ambassadors and as actual whisky makers.
Elliott said that the industry was doing more to actively appeal to female consumers.Elliott said that the industry was doing more to actively appeal to female consumers.
Women do generally have a slightly sweeter palate than men, and there are a lot of whiskies out there with sweeter, floral flavours.Women do generally have a slightly sweeter palate than men, and there are a lot of whiskies out there with sweeter, floral flavours.
But it's too much of a generalisation to say that you have to have a sweeter taste for women to like a whisky. It's really down to individual taste, and there are around a hundred active distilleries in Scotland, so there's really something for everyone.But it's too much of a generalisation to say that you have to have a sweeter taste for women to like a whisky. It's really down to individual taste, and there are around a hundred active distilleries in Scotland, so there's really something for everyone.
Whisky is also a big part of cocktail culture. It's a very sophisticated drink, it's not all shortbread and bagpipes.Whisky is also a big part of cocktail culture. It's a very sophisticated drink, it's not all shortbread and bagpipes.
The club's success, while itself modest in scale, suggests Scotland's national drink may still have real room to expand in its home market, not just in the burgeoning new markets of the Far East and Latin America, changing perceptions and palates.The club's success, while itself modest in scale, suggests Scotland's national drink may still have real room to expand in its home market, not just in the burgeoning new markets of the Far East and Latin America, changing perceptions and palates.
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