Welcome to our Muse of the Month series! This series is celebrating women in the industry who are changing the conversation around whisk(e)y. From Master Distillers to Podcasters to Brand Ambassadors stay tuned as we feature the best and brightest females.
For the month of October, we are featuring the Bourbon Maven, Niki Green.
Based out of Seattle, Niki is an avid collector, world traveler and consumer of whiskey. She also runs her own experiences and events through Bourbon Maven, primarily focused on educating women about whiskey. Finally, she is the Founder and President of the Seattle and Bay Area chapters of Women Who Whiskey.
Check out the interview with Niki below!
Quick Fire Questions
Early Bird or Night Owl: Early Bird
Pro-Peat or Anti-Peat: Anti usually but trying to expand my palate
The Best Whisk(e)y + Snack Combination/Pairing: Brenne and seasonal fruit cobbler at Junebaby (Seattle)
Favourite Cocktail: Whiskey Highball with Topo Chico
Favourite Bar You’ve Been To: Hotsy Totsy Club – Albany, CA… women-run bar program, 70s VCR tapes, fantastic cocktails and taco truck in the parking lot
Never Have I Ever: Had Pappy Van Winkle in a cocktail
Drinking Song of Choice: Yacht Rock channel on Pandora
What mantra do you live by/drink by: If you don’t ask, you don’t get. The worst they can say is no. And it’s already no by not asking.
1) Describe yourself in the form of a haiku.
2) Tell us about your first (memorable) experience with whisk(e)y?
Discovering bourbon (Woodford Reserve) in Nashville at my company’s sales conference. It was smooth and easy and we ended up finishing all the bottles at the bar.
3) How did you start teaching about whisk(e)y and do you have tips for others who want to become educators?
I did my first class for my son’s school fundraiser as a challenge to test my knowledge and see whether I could put together the right format for a fun and educational experience. It worked so well I did it the following year and then started to host through AirBnB Experiences. That led to corporate events, weddings, and fundraising. To date, I have a perfect 5-star rating on AirBnB Experiences but with COVID-19, I’m taking a break from teaching.
As far as tips, take some classes and do the work to learn the basics. Go to as many guided tastings or whiskey festivals as you can. Talk to brand ambassadors and bartenders. I don’t work in the spirits industry at all so I made a real effort to find resources to gain knowledge as well as get some credentials to boost my confidence. I have my Certified Specialists of Spirits and I’m an Executive Bourbon Steward. I’m taking a Master Class online now which has been a great refresher but also validates that I know more than I give myself credit for.
4) What has been your biggest ‘aha’ moment to date?
Women who drink whiskey are bad asses who give no F***s. No, seriously we are.
5) In your opinion, what makes the perfect whisk(e)y?
The circumstance in which I’m drinking it — who I’m with, where I am, what the event is. It’s a total experience for me. The perfect whiskey brings together all those things and leaves a lasting memory or great story.
6) What’s the latest trend you’re excited about the industry at the moment?
Consumers calling out sexism, racism, and homophobia in the industry and recognizing and rewarding those companies that are leaders in fighting it while making great whiskey. To that end transparency and disclosure are important…who is making the liquid and what do they stand for.
7) What is your advice for someone who is just starting to get into drinking whisk(e)y?
Drink as much as you can from as many countries of origin, categories and styles, and take notes. And don’t let others tell you what you should like or how you should drink it. It’s a very personal drink that can shift with your mood, so just enjoy what you want, when and how you like.
8) What are you doing to ensure you’re continuing to grow and develop your palate?
I follow my own advice by drinking as many new whiskies as I can. And then I revisit favorites. I’m also doing more blind tastings to try and sharpen my senses. I have a sensory training kit with over 30 fragrances to identify and pull it out every now and then to verify scents. I also really enjoy the brand ambassadors that I’ve met and ask a lot of questions. Traveling to distilleries everywhere I can is also a terrific and fun experience that you can’t replace by just reading a label or a website.
9) Tell us about Women Who Whisky and your role in it!
Women Who Whiskey is a global experimental whiskey club for women. Women Who Whiskey gives our members the opportunity to learn about varieties of whiskeys and cocktail culture, and to join a network of like-minded women with a taste for curiosity and strong drinks. We host events in different venues around our chapter cities, where members can try new spirits, discuss mixology with seasoned bartenders, and enjoy the company of other whiskey-loving ladies.
I’m the Founder and President of the Seattle and the Bay Area chapters. I launched both in December 2018. Seattle now has over 850 women and the Bay Area over 450 women. It’s been an incredibly fun adventure and great way to meet people from all walks of life.
10) What are 3 whiskies (choose any category) under $50 that you would recommend… after all the season of giving is coming!
Redbreast 12 year Single Pot Still
Michters Unblended American Whiskey
Eagle Rare 10 bourbon
11) What’s next for you?
I’m eager to get out of the virtual world and back to real life events! I plan on continuing to promote and participate in Women Who Whiskey events in both cities. I’m also ready to tackle virtual experiences probably through AirBnB portal. When we are able to travel safely, I want to get over to Scotland and hit the different regions of whisky. Prior to COVID-19 I was on the cusp of planning some tour groups in Kentucky with a fellow member who does whiskey tours in Ireland. I would love to kick that off and see where it takes us. And of course, I will keep searching for those unicorn bottles.
