Interview: Gabrielle Nicole Pharms-Barr, whisky writer
The winner of the new IWSC Emerging Talent in Spirits Communication 2022 award chats about how she first fell in love with whisky, how she continues to learn about the category and being a double minority in the industry.
With her name associated with titles such as Bourbon Plus, Wine Enthusiast, Vinepair and Whisky Advocate, US-based Gabrielle Nicole Pharms-Barr is no stranger to the world of whisky writing. Although when her talent for writing about American (and other) whiskeys saw her awarded the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s new Emerging Talent in Spirits Communication 2022 accolade earlier this year, Gabrielle’s reaction was a mixture of emotions: “I am very excited and on top of that a bit surprised,” she says of the win. “The other pros are killing it in their fields as well.”
Articles to-date include a focus on the Texas whiskey scene, a low-down on how she judges whiskies, and focuses on brands from Highland Park to Angel’s Envy. Whisky wasn’t always on the writing agenda though. Gabrielle also has her finger on the pulse of the worlds of art, music and fashion in her role as Digital Managing Editor of equity-focused luxury publication EDITION, and began her career in the fashion industry working for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, before writing about electronic music for DJ Magazine.
Did she ever think she’d end up writing about whiskey? “I love that you asked that because, no. I originally started out in fashion journalism, then music is what introduced me to spirits as I was going to these festivals which had spirit partnerships. It felt like a natural progression.” In fact, Gabrielle’s first pitch tied in her dual loves of music and whiskey: “With whisky, usually a good one, when it matures it tastes amazing. Then there are certain songs that are timeless and as the years go, on they mature – there is a synergy there.”
New awakening
So, how did her love for the spirit begin? “When I turned 21 I tried mixed drinks because I felt that was the cool thing to do. I was in the fashion industry so was trying things like Cosmos and Lemon Drops but they weren’t for me, so when I was introduced to whisky I was like, ‘I’ve found my drink’.”
She began enjoying drams with her grandfather, who couldn’t believe his granddaughter liked whisky at the age of 21, “and then from there I started getting into whisky cocktails liked Old Fashioneds and drinking it neat.”
Some highlights on her shelf at the moment include one of 291 Colorado Distillery’s bourbons, plus a collaboration bottle they created with master distiller Marianne Eaves, as well as Tennessee’s own Uncle Nearest. Over the last couple of years, she’s been dabbling in ‘international spirits’. A current favourite is GlenDronach, a single malt Scotch whisky from the Highlands region of Scotland. “I was introduced to it through a virtual tasting during Covid and I wrote a feature for Uproxx on the Kingsman release – it opened Pandora’s box.”
It wasn’t until last year, however, that Gabrielle was first asked to judge at her local Texas Whiskey Festival. “It really stood out to me because they’d never had a female judge and I was also the only one of colour,” she explains of the experience. “It felt amazing representing a double minority as a judge and it also introduced me to even more Texas whiskeys. It was a full circle moment.”
Overcoming the odds
Of course, being a woman of colour means Gabrielle has a very specific experience when it comes to establishing herself in the world of whisky. She believes there is much more the industry can do to welcome and support minorities. “The key to getting [minorities] involved in the whisky industry is that it’s all about giving people an opportunity,” she says. “[It may be] easier to hire someone you already know, but give us a chance because we drink whiskey, we enjoy whiskey, we have perspectives that are different to what is currently being presented. The only remedy is to keep an open mind.”
Gabrielle counts first and foremost her parents for encouraging her to follow the path she is on. “My parents always told me never to tell myself no, so even if the odds don’t look like they’re in my favour, I never told myself no, I just kept pushing.”
She also cites the OurWhisky Foundation’s founder Becky Paskin as an inspiration – “She has broken boundaries despite feeling the brunt of animosity from people, men in particular. She’s resilient and she is still preaching the gospel for more women and people of colour in the industry” – as well as Jackie Summers (whose accolades include being on the educational board of Tales of the Cocktail and Bar Convent Brooklyn, an award-winning writer for some of the industry’s most revered publications, and founder of Sorel Liquor). “I was having a bad case of imposter syndrome and he asked me a really simple question: ‘Gabby, have you really met you?’”
Bright future
With her new accolade under her arm, Gabrielle is continuing to learn about the whisky category and has plans for what she wants to do with her IWSC bursary too.
“I’m really big on visiting distilleries. When Covid happened the last one was to Westward Whiskey in Portland and not only was I able to get the inside scoop on the process, but also able to tap into the personality of the distillers and the people that make the liquid.” Now the world is reopening, Gabby is hoping to visit more distilleries in the USA as well as travel to Scotland and other countries to discover who is ‘pushing the boundaries’.
She’s also keen to do some work on branded partnerships and dip her toe into the world of ambassadorship: “There aren’t that many women or black women who are the face of brands.”
The future looks bright – any advice for someone wanting to follow in her footsteps? “My mum has always told me that there is enough sun for everyone. There is no need to compete with others when you’re focused on giving your own perspective.”
