Last February, Woodford Reserve announced Elizabeth McCall as its new master distiller. The appointment marked an historic moment not just for Woodford Reserve – it’s the first time a woman has been master distiller in the brand's 26-year history – but for women in the spirits industry in general.
McCall’s new position highlights the increasing presence of female leaders in traditionally male-dominated roles.
We caught up with McCall to find out more about her career – and her passion for whiskey.
What was your first memorable experience of whiskey?
It was enjoying Woodford Reserve Double Oaked on the rocks with lemon. It was the first time I drank whiskey on the rocks and loved every sip of it. I was 28 years old and I was in Collingwood, Canada, on a work trip.
When did you decide ‘I want to make this stuff’?
I don’t know if I ever decided I wanted to make it, but rather an opportunity came to me and I jumped on it; I just wanted to share my passion for our whiskey with the world.
That opportunity evolved into being trained to be the next Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. That opportunity was presented to me back in 2015 when I was working closely with Chris Morris, now Master Distiller Emeritus.
How did the opportunity arise in the first place?
I started in a role at our parent company’s corporate headquarters as a Quality Control Sensory Technician. I had heard about the job opportunity through a family friend and sent in my resume.
I was eventually promoted and moved to a role at the Sr. Quality Control Specialist at Woodford Reserve in 2016.
You’re the first female Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve – what’s it been like as a woman in a male-dominated industry?
I feel I have had nothing but a positive reception into this role. I show up and work hard everyday, I’ve always done this no matter what the job has been. My work ethic speaks for itself if anyone is doubting my abilities as the best person for this job.
How much has the industry changed during your career?
The industry has changed leaps and bounds since I started working in it in 2009. When I started, vodka was very prominent, whiskey was just starting to regain popularity in the US, all the whiskies that are hard to find today would sit on store shelves for months.
Now consumers are thirsty for any new innovation or expression of whiskey, waiting in lines for hours, paying top dollar; vodka is no longer the leader on cocktail menus; and we can’t put out new releases quick enough. It’s a great time to work in whiskey.
What are the most important lessons you learned from Chris Morris?
I have learned more lessons about navigating the beverage industry from Chris Morris than I will ever be able to recall. The most important lesson has been that one of being the ultimate keeper of the Woodford Reserve brand; it is mine to protect.
Brand team members, production team members, they will come and go, but I will stay constant. Knowing this makes me very protective of maintaining the brands integrity and quality, without them Woodford will not see the same success it has enjoyed.
What’s the best memory from your career?
The best memory from my career so far is giving the Woodford Reserve Derby Toast live on national television. The first time I delivered the toast at the 2018 Kentucky Derby was electric, it was one of my proudest moments representing this brand.
How have you noticed whiskey tastes change over the course of your career?
I have noticed whiskey tastes have changed over the course of my career by consumers being more open to innovation in both how whiskey is made and how it is consumed.
Consumers love trying complex and interesting whiskey cocktails and the innovations that were once thought of as taboo, such as wine barrel finishing, are now celebrated.
What are you working on next?
We have a lot of new expressions in the pipeline; one area that I am most excited about is breaking out of our 90.4 proof and presenting some expressions at a higher proof.
We also have some fun, highly aged barrels that we will release at some point in the future. Keep an eye out for exciting things to come from Woodford Reserve.
What’s your favourite whiskey cocktail?
My favourite whiskey cocktail is a Woodford Reserve Rye Manhattan served up in a coupe glass. I love the flavour of our rye whiskey with sweet vermouth – the flavours pair perfectly together – and a coupe glass is my favourite type of glassware; it makes me feel fancy.
What’s your favourite bar?
Currently, my favourite bar is the one at my house. My husband and I have two small kids – one and four years old – so we don’t get out much. I enjoy making a cocktail at home, putting on comfy clothes, and being able to hang out with my family at the same time.
If you could only drink one more glass of whiskey, which expression would you choose and why?
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: it’s happiness in a glass.
See more at woodfordreserve.com
