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Penderyn celebrates all-female distilling team
Welsh distillery Penderyn has been celebrating the work of its all-female distilling team, highlighting the various roles that contribute to its whisky’s production.
Aista Jukneviciute (left), Laura Davies (centre) and Bethan Morgans (right) make up Penderyn’s distilling team
Headed up by distillery manager Laura Davies, alongside blender Aista Jukneviciute and trainee distiller Bethan Morgans, the team work together nosing batches of new make spirit and signing off whisky samples.
Davies, who joined the distillery in 2012, said: “I knew very little about the whisky industry prior to joining the company and my position was actually advertised anonymously in order to avoid well-meaning and excited (but unqualified) enthusiasts applying.”
“During my time with the company I’ve seen my role grow and have become responsible for all aspects of distillery production and operations, including health and safety, technical management, staffing, quality management, supply and logistics and experimentation, leading to me becoming distillery manager in 2016.”
As blender at Penderyn, Jukneviciute is responsible for deciding when whiskies have matured sufficiently and for the development of new and existing expressions for the brand.
The Lithuanian-born blender said that when she first moved to Wales she was looking for lab work in the food and drink world.
“I sent my CV to the distillery and I was lucky being in the right place at the right time as I got the job in the Penderyn Distillery,” she said. “The whisky world is fascinating and fun, you will never stop learning.”
Morgans, Penderyn trainee distiller, says it has been a privilege to work at the distillery after growing up just minutes from the site in Penderyn.
She said: “Being able to represent the distillery at shows is such an honour, especially when you get to hear really positive feedback from consumers about both the brand and products.”