Rasharkin woman named Irish Whiskey Association vice chair
Helen Mulholland, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable personalities in international distilling, has been chosen as vice chair of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) in Dublin.
The Rasharkin woman, described the election to the representative body for the industry across the island as “a great honour and tremendous privilege”.
The appointment acknowledges Helen’s immense contribution to the growth of Bushmills over almost 30 years that included a lengthy period as master distiller at the historic distillery that’s now respected as one of the very best and most successful whiskey producers.
Earlier in the year, Helen was also recognised in Northern Ireland by the industry here for “an outstanding contribution” to whiskey distilling.
In 2018 she became the first woman to be inducted into the International Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame and the first woman to receive a Chairman’s Award for her remarkable contribution to the development of Irish whiskey.
At Bushmills, Helen worked with master distiller and site director Colum Egan, who was also honoured by IWA for his outstanding contribution to the whiskey industry.
The dedicated and knowledgeable businesswoman created a host of successful whiskeys in the distillery’s world leading luxury portfolio of single malts and premium blends during her time at Bushmills.
She is now leading the team at the developing Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo where new owner Sazerac, the global producer of a range of spirits, aims to create luxury single malt whiskeys. The corporation’s investment at Lough Gill is a further measure of the continuing interest in Irish whiskey in the United States, the biggest global market for the spirits.
Helen, in her new role, has responsibility for selection and management of the casks for Athrú single malt whiskey, nurturing the portfolio of premium aged single malts, as well as new product development there. She was head hunted by Sazerac and Lough Gill to bring her immense expertise to the exciting venture.
Sazerac, based in New Orleans, is making Lough Gill the home of Paddy and Michael Collins, existing Irish whiskeys it already owns, as well as the new Athrú whiskey.
Helen said: “It’s a really exciting time for Lough Gill Distillery. I am very honoured to be joining the team as it becomes the home of Paddy, Michael Collins and Athrú whiskeys.
“The distillery, its location and the incredible team already in place made this a very easy decision. I look forward to bringing my knowledge as a master blender to the table to enable us to make some really world-class Irish whiskeys.”
