A team of spirits industry veterans announced the launch of Her Whiskey Reviews, a new website dedicated to elevating the voices of women in the world of spirits. 

Founded by industry veterans Sailor Guevara and founding reviewers, Maggie Kimberl, Heather Wibbels, Her Whiskey Reviews sets out to redefine how spirits are reviewed and discussed—by women, for women.

For far too long, women have been marginalized in the alcohol review space, often overlooked or dismissed in conversations dominated by men, according to a news release announcing the launch. Her Whiskey Reviews challenges the status quo, offering a confident, informed platform where women can share their unique perspectives on taste, aroma, and experience. Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that women may articulate and experience flavor differently, bringing fresh insight and diversity to spirits evaluation.

“Womens’ olfactory abilities tend to skew toward more sensitive and our recall for flavor memories tends to skew faster and more accurate than that of men, according to numerous studies,” Kimberl said in the release. “It’s fun to apply that to whiskey reviews, which frequently leave women out of the conversation altogether.”

Her Whiskey Reviews isn’t just another review site. In addition to in-depth, accessible reviews, the platform will offer educational resources, industry news, and features on women making waves in the world of whiskey and spirits. Breaking away from traditional review formulas, Her Whiskey Reviews is committed to raising awareness, providing context, and fostering a welcoming community for women enthusiasts and professionals alike.

“Whiskey makers put an incredible amount of time and effort into creating their spirits, and it’s incredibly important that reviews educate the consumer and contextualize the whiskey within the broader market,” Wibbels said. “Rather than just a thumbs up or down, or a simple numerical rating, we want to make each review answer not just ‘Did I like it?’ But rather discuss what kinds of sippers might find this pour fascinating or enjoyable.”

We also recognize a longstanding pay disparity for women in the spirits and beverage industries. Years of training and expertise are valuable, and we believe that those who put careful work into assessing a spirit and using their deep knowledge and perspective should be paid fairly for their contributions. Her Whiskey Reviews is committed to transparency about costs and compensation for participation, affirming that expertise deserves recognition and equitable pay.

To further celebrate excellence in spirits, Her Whiskey Reviews will host annual awards, recognizing outstanding producers, innovators, and contributors to the industry, always with a focus on inclusion and the female palate.

The project is spearheaded by three powerhouse women in American spirits:

• Maggie Kimberl is an award-winning spirits journalist and whiskey judge with over a dozen years of experience. Her in-depth knowledge and approachable style have made her a trusted authority on whiskey.
• Heather Wibbels, also known as the Cocktail Contessa, is an award-winning mixologist, author, and educator. Her expertise in whiskey cocktails and commitment to education have earned her recognition from both industry peers and enthusiasts.
• Sailor Guevara is a spirits consultant, podcast host, and advocate for diversity in the drinks world as a founder of the Sirens Spirits Group. Drawing on years of experience in brand development and spirits education, Sailor is passionate about creating spaces where women’s voices are not only heard but celebrated.

More reviewers will join the project as it grows. 

Her Whiskey Reviews invites everyone—women and allies alike—to join in reshaping the spirits landscape. Learn more at herwhiskeyreviews.com.

Read more: Sirens Spirits Group Launches New E-Commerce Platform Dedicated to Women-Led Brands