The July Cut: This month’s whisky industry news
Our monthly news roundup for July brings with it awards, new role announcements, a global survey and more.
It’s been a month book-ended with big industry get-togethers, from London’s first Bar Convent outing at Tobacco Dock on 29-30 June, to Tales of the Cocktail last week in New Orleans. Among it all, we were reminded just how global our wonderful whisky industry is – it was great to say ‘hi’ to friends old and new.
Elsewhere, awards, fresh job roles and exciting new initiatives led by women are bolstering the whisky world, while a new global survey focusing on hospitality asks what we can do to keep women in the sector, from improving safety to mentorship and development. We also hosted our own event at this year’s Belfast Whiskey Week - the attendees of which you can see pictured above (more on that below).
There have been some big news stories and outside the industry too. England is still riding high after a historic win by the Lionesses in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship against Spain. OurWhisky Foundation founder Becky Paskin ruminates on how the whisky industry can take note when it comes to women’s visibility in male-dominated industries in a piece for The Cut.
Got some news you’d like us to include in our next roundup? Get in touch here.
Angela D’Orazio named as new creative director of whiskymaking at Compass Box
With nearly three decades of experience behind her, Angela D’Orazio has joined the innovative blending house Compass Box as creative director of whiskymaking, marking an exciting new chapter in the brand’s 25-year history.
She previously served as master blender and chief nose officer at Mackmyra for 17 years where she helped define the modern profile of Scandinavian whisky. She is also the founding member and head chair of the Swedish Spirits Academy.
“Compass Box has innovation as part of its DNA, which means there’s so much opportunity to let our curiosity and courage explore what more can be created through the art of blending,” said D’Orazio of the road ahead.
The news comes at the same time as the announcement of director of whiskymaking James Saxon’s departure. D’Orazio will continue to work with whiskymakers Michael Stevenson and Samuel Travers.
The Irish whiskey Industry Awards announces 2025 winners
This year’s Belfast Whiskey Week culminated with the celebration of some of the Irish whiskey industry’s greatest stars.
Held at Ulster Reform Club it was a chance for the industry to recognise individuals from all roles, from operations through to ambassadorial work.
Winners included Emma Millar (pictured), distiller at Hinch Distillery, who took home the Female Distiller of the Year accolade, while Janice Snowden, brand ambassador for Bushmills, was named Female Brand Ambassador of the Year.
Celebrate Her uncovers results of global hospitality survey
A new global survey conducted by global drinks industry community Celebrate Her, hospitality training platform Allara Global, and consumer intelligence experts CGA by NIQ, has revealed some fascinating insights into what it’s like to work in the drinks hospitality industry.
Questions on everything from sexism and safety in the workplace to job satisfaction and career growth gleaned results from over a thousand respondents in 22 regions across the globe, giving valuable insight into issues to be addressed by industry bodies and HR departments.
Some good news is that more women are entering the industry, but with this comes issues concerning discrimination, work-life balance, personal safety at night and parental leave, with 76% of parents feel that they missed out on opportunities since having children.
Safety is also an issue that comes up regularly in the hospitality industry. The survey found that three in 10 employees have felt unsafe at work due to harassment or other issues.
Training and development is also a key issue, with 42% of employees considering leaving the industry as they don’t feel as if they have received adequate training for their roles.
The survey also shows that fixable gaps are holding the industry back and highlights clear positive steps that employers can take, such as specialised training and mentorship, and leadership development, to nurture employees’ career journeys, increase retention and strengthen the hospitality industry as a whole.
OurWhisky Foundation hosts first Belfast Whiskey Week panel and networking event
On 19 July, the OurWhisky Foundation team headed to Ireland for Belfast Whiskey Week (18-26 July) for a panel and networking event, ‘Rooted and Rising – Lessons in Leadership from Women Shaping Irish Whiskey’ with Atonia Programme Acorns.
Held at The Watson, guests were treated to cocktails from McConnell’s Irish Whisky before a panel discussion with Alex Thomas, master blender at Bushmills and The Sexton and Emma Millar, distiller at Hinch Distillery, moderated by Atonia Programme Ireland coordinator, Emma Walsh. This was followed by a Hinch Distillery tasting with Millar and a Queer History of Belfast tour from Sam Donnelly of Belfast Hidden Tours, with drinks and dancing at Union Street.
Our Acorns (who are in the middle of their Atonia Programme) had a brilliant time with some saying it ‘was the most meaningful part of the programme so far’, ‘made everything finally click into place’ and made ‘the community feel real, not just something we talk about. It really felt like we found our tribe.’
Big moves in whisky from CEOs to master tasters
There have been some big job announcements this month concerning senior figures in the global whisky industry.
Diageo CEO Debra Crew stepped down from her role with immediate effect and by mutual agreement with the board. Reports state that the company had struggled to recover post-Covid and its recent dissolving of its incubator programme Distill Ventures further pointed to financial difficulties. Her successor is yet to be announced.
In other news, MGP named Julie Francis, previously Constellation Brands executive, its new CEO and president in the midst of its drive towards its branded spirits strategy. In November 2024, MGP announced it would be scaling back on whiskey production to focus on branded spirits. Francis, who previously held multiple leadership positions at The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises, will be bringing her expertise in integration, leadership and value creation to the business.
Kentucky brand Hidden Barn also announced the arrival of mixologist Molly Wellmann (pictured) as master taster alongside the news of master blender Jackie Zykan’s departure. Wellmann will help with batching and single barrel selection, and build upon the tasting profile already developed by Zykan.
OurWhisky Foundation mentees announce new projects and roles
One of our very first Atonia Programme graduates, Reece Sims, founder or Flavor Camp, launched the first issue of Flavour Report, a new print and digital publication covering spirits, trends and flavour nerdery. Edition 01: Flavour is Connection focuses on the deep belief that flavour is one of the most powerful forms of connection, with contributions from fellow graduates Heather Storgaard and Andrea Fujarczuk.
Meanwhile, Kate Campbell announced this month her new role as global brand manager for Glenmorangie at LVMH. She announced the news, which saw her leave a temporary role at Nyetimber & The Lakes Distillery, with her joy at working with Glenmorangie specifically on its new partnership with Formula 1, a sport Campbell has loved since she was a child.
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