![]() ![]() ![]() The book follows a chronological trajectory, introducing us to notables such as an Alexandrian Egyptian chemist called Maria the Jewess, an early innovator of distilling and rugged Irish women of the 1600s and beyond, who home distilled for celebratory and medicinal purposes-and then some. Thus, we get quick shots of their history, rather than a healthy pour of their undoubtedly fascinating stories. The only trouble is, most of his heroines are simply mentioned in passing. Starting with Mesopotamian beer making, circa 4000 B.C., Minnick spends more than 200 pages putting women in their place-right in the thick of it all, where they've always been. But that’s essentially what Louisville-based author Fred Minnick does in Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch and Irish Whiskey, and for good reason: It’s unlikely that the average reader (or drinker) is aware of the incredibly significant roles that women have played in the spirits industry. We don’t mean to play the feminist card and separate the fairer sex’s efforts in the industry. But did you know most of them exist thanks to the efforts of women? While browsing through Binny’s, perhaps you've found yourself in the whiskey section, admiring the rows and rows of deliciously brown bottles lining the shelves. ![]()
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