The Irish Whiskey Association has named Helen Mulholland, master blender with Sazerac Ireland, as the new chair of of the representative body for the all-island Irish whiskey industry.
Ms Mulholland has served as the association's vice-chair since 2022 and succeeds former chair James Doherty, the managing director of Sliabh Liag Distillers.
Ms Mulholland also has the accolade of being the first woman master blender in Irish whiskey history, a title she achieved while working at Bushmills Distillery for nearly 30 years.
Now leading Sazerac's Sligo distillery team, Ms Mulholland oversees the global portfolio of Irish whiskeys, including Paddy and Michael Collins, while spearheading innovation in new product development.
She is also the first woman to have been inducted into the Whisky Magazine International Hall of Fame, and in 2020 was the first female recipient of a Drinks Ireland-Irish Whiskey Association Chairman's Award for her contribution to the development of the Irish whiskey industry.
Helen Mulholland said that during her time in the industry, global volumes of Irish whiskey produced have increased sevenfold and the number of distilleries on the island of Ireland has grown from three to almost 50 today.
"My priority as chair at the Association will be to protect the integrity of the Irish whiskey category, as well as continuing its global promotion. Irish whiskey is a prime example of our all-island economy that brings with it a unique value that should be celebrated, particularly in 2025," she added.
The Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, Eoin Ó Catháin, said Ms Mulholland is one of the world's most accomplished whiskey master blenders, with a career defined by groundbreaking achievements and exceptional craftsmanship.
"Over the course of Helen’s decade-spanning and ground-breaking career, the Irish whiskey industry has flourished and seen major evolution," he said.
"We are delighted to see our premium product’s consumer base broaden in recent years, with those choosing to enjoy Irish whiskey now far more diverse, with a wider age profile, and found all over the world," he stated.
"The Irish Whiskey Association celebrates and embraces this inclusion as a key driver of business success and growth within the Irish whiskey industry," he added.
