Earlier this month the world celebrated our “fairer sex;” women. It was an exciting time of honouring accomplishments, a frustrating time where many brought forth areas of development, and in some instances a gut wrenching time as the world came to terms with the oppression of women in too many places on our planet. However, for the most part it was a time of jubilant celebration as we toted women’s accomplishments in every walk of life and industry, including whisky. The idea of celebrating women is relatively new and it’s gained serious traction in recent years. I understand for some people this doesn’t make much sense. Haven’t we had it all yet? We’re CEOs, Presidents of companies, warship commanders, we hold high-ranking positions in government and so on. What’s all the hype about? What the heck do we need an International Women’s Day for anyways?
For some fortunate enough to live in societies that are openly committed to the forward momentum of personhood the notion of celebrating International Women’s Day might not make much sense. Unfortunately, I’m not making this up. I’ve heard and read comments on social media typed by far too many people, all of whom live in the west incidentally, asking why we need a day celebrating women when we’re basically equal? Many people in the affluent, freedom-loving west don’t understand the need for International Women’s Day. After all, women are equal to men at law, so therefore we are equal right?
It is at this point in my blog post where I’m going to break from tradition. How many more articles do we need on pay gap inequity, the need for affirmative action in executive and upper management positions, and pink tax? We know it’s a thing, an important thing, that needs to change but those are facts the majority of read individuals are aware of already and I’m writing to read individuals. Instead, I want to discuss something different that I hope will leave a lasting impression in your conscience; a finish your pleasure receptors will long to reunite with. I am writing to share with others my dream and why my blog, Women’s Whisky World, is so important to me. I will take a moment to tell you a short, beautiful story about what happened in February.
Last month I had the pleasure of attending a local whisky festival. One of the staff members was a young woman who recently immigrated to Canada from India. We got to talking about whisky generally speaking and then the conversation moved towards my reason for being present at the festival. I opened up about my blog, explained its purpose and why I’m so passionate about writing on topics related to usquebaugh. I shared my dream with her, which is to influence people all over the world in the hope that one day a woman in any country who is of the appropriate age can feel comfortable sipping from a Glencairn if her heart desires.
Over the past 50 or so years North America has seen a tremendous upsurge in womens’ involvement with whisky at every level. Europe has witnessed a similar evolution. This includes several local women focused whisky clubs all over the continent, and women in high ranking management and executive positions in distilleries. I have seen on social media a handful of similar trends emerging in Africa. Whereas the statistics at present may not be what we would hope for nevertheless the data is trending in an upwards direction. This, however is not the case in many countries around the world. Before someone points out the glaringly obvious, I am not ignorant to religious constraints precluding the introduction of an alcohol based industry in several countries. I was an intelligence officer for over a decade in the Royal Canadian Navy. I am fully aware how controversial my vision is because of this knowledge. However, that’s the funny thing about a dream, it doesn’t always have to make sense because it comes from the heart.
The young woman from India with whom I was speaking about my dream when I told her lit up. Her eyes flashed with excited delight and she said “that’s a really good idea.” It was in this moment I realized that maybe my dream isn’t quite as absurd as I originally thought it was. After all, there was a time when alcohol was not allowed within the borders of a few Indian states, a truth that fluctuates with administrations. Now, some of the best whisky in the world comes out of India. I am referring specifically to Amrut Fusion, which achieved WHISKY OF THE YEAR at the World Whiskies Awards 2011 and has gone on to win other awards and accolades. Also, there is Indri Trini from Piccadilly Distilleries that was awarded India’s best single malt at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards.
Women’s Whisky World is so much more to me than a reason for imbibing liquid that I think tastes really good. Although, that is one of my favourite parts about being a whisky blogger. What’s most important to me about my blog is the awesome ability technology has afforded me, to reach every person in the world who takes an interest in the water of life and inspire them to dream of a better future. To me, women’s rights are intrinsically linked with whisky. For example, India, Europe, and North America all have something in common when it comes to whisky. At some point in our history it was uncustomary and/or illegal for women to drink whisky, but through the passage of time resulting from the hard work of many it has become more commonplace to see golden liquid swish in a lowball boasting an oversized cube of clear ice or a Glencairn with lipstick stains.
Therefore, why do we celebrate International Women’s Day? The answer is simple. There is plenty of work still to be done. What we take for granted in the west resulting from the hard work of our great grandmothers and the repentance of our great grandfathers other places on earth have yet to benefit from such a social revolution. Therefore, let us do what we do best. Enjoy life one sip at a time. I both challenge and encourage you to take a moment when you’re finished reading this blog post and raise your glass in honour to those who have worked hard for women’s rights and seen successes, to those who are continuing to work hard for women’s rights, and to those who are watching our history unfold with hope blazing in their hearts that one day they will also enjoy the benefits of gendered emancipation.
I would like to draw your attention to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Sections 2 and 15, which assures me all the fundamental rights and freedoms that every person on earth ought to enjoy courtesy of their government.
Fundamental freedoms – section 2
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Section 2
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
d) freedom of association.
Equality rights – section 15
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Section 15
Equality before and under law and equal protection and benefit of law
15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
I have a dream that each person in every nationstate on earth will enjoy these fundamental rights and freedoms, which will one day be afforded to all persons on earth. My contribution towards this vision is writing about whisky from my perspective as a woman whilst honouring the spirit of inclusivity, because women’s rights uphold individual rights and freedoms. These rights are the fabric of society. At the end of every social media post (that affords enough space for this much text) I copy and paste the following:
“This reel is brought to you by Women’s Whisky World (TM) a safe, fun and educational space for women from all over the world to enjoy all things whisky 🥃 Everyone is welcome 🤗
@chantaillemarie via Instagram and Twitter
At Women’s Whisky World (TM) I bring you entertaining ideas, custom recipes with accompanying cocktails, reviews of whiskies from all over the world and distillery interviews so you can get to know the people behind your favourite drams.
http://www.facebook.com/womenswhiskyworld
http://www.womenswhiskyworld.home.blog
🌸🌷🌹 The world’s first online Floral Notes in Whisky Catalogue (in progress) with an extensive teaching tutorial:
https://whiskyfloralcatalogue.wordpress.com/
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Women's Whisky World 