Helen Mulholland has opened up about the 'dynamic' and changing  whiskey industry in Ireland.

After starting her career in the drinks industry more than 25 years ago, Helen - now a Master Blender with Bushmills - was inducted into the the Whiskey Magazine Hall of Fame in 2018; becoming the first woman to be inducted since its inception in 2004. Helen spoke to Her about how she got started in her career, the changes to the whiskey industry over the years, and being inducted into the Whiskey Magazine Hall of Fame.  

How did you get started in your career?

I started my career in the drinks industry over 25 years ago by working in the small laboratory at The Old Bushmills Distillery as part of my food technology degree course at Northern Ireland’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise. I then got my Master’s degree in Food Technology from the University of Reading on whiskey maturation and returned to Bushmills for a full-time post in the lab, testing ingredients at the very start of the distillation process. It was in the lab, which ran a small scale distillery, where I began my journey to the role of Master Blender. I’ve worked at The Old Bushmills Distillery for 26 years now so I obviously like it!

How do you feel about the whiskey industry in Ireland at the moment?

I think the whiskey industry in Ireland is such an exciting and dynamic industry to be a part of. I know at The Old Bushmills Distillery we are always looking for new ways to innovate, play with flavours and produce exciting new Bushmills variants, so there’s always something new to learn and discover. There’s nothing better than introducing a new Irish whiskey to the market and demand continues to soar, especially for premium malts, so we continue to innovate and create new expressions for whiskey drinkers around the world. It’s definitely an exciting time to be in the industry.

What was it that drew you to working with whiskey? 

The craftmanship and passion that goes into Irish whiskey is something that has truly captured my imagination. I have been steeped in the art of whiskey-making and blending for a number of years now and love being a part of the rich history of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, made at The Old Bushmills Distillery - the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. I like to think I’m one of the custodians of more than 400 years of heritage. The distillery is a magical place where I get to explore my passion to develop new whiskeys and experiment with different casks and flavours.

What would an average/normal/typical kind of day (if there is such a thing) look like as a master blender?

No two days are ever the same in my job – that’s what I love about it! I am responsible for selecting the casks we use and everything that goes into creating the perfect bottle of Bushmills. I always aim to do the majority of my whiskey tasting in the mornings as sensory perception is best at this time. It also means I haven’t yet had my half a dozen cups of coffee that keep me going throughout the day, which can alter your palette! New product development and innovation is a huge part of my role each day and is something that I am thoroughly passionate about. During my time as Master Blender I have overseen a number of new product launches, such as the Rum Cask Reserve, the most recent addition to The Steamship Collection – the Global Travel Retail exclusive range of rare and unique cask-matured Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskeys, inspired by the extraordinary voyages of the steamship SS BUSHMILLS.

Do you feel there were any particular challenges that you faced on the way to becoming the first female master blender in Ireland?

I have always found the industry to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. I’ve learned a lot from others and those who were senior in the industry by discussing new product innovations and best practice, so that has been a fantastic help to my progression in the whiskey industry.

How did it feel to be inducted into the Whiskey Magazine Hall of Fame?

I was absolutely delighted to be inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2018 and honoured to be counted among so many titans in our industry. I was the first woman to be inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame since its inception in 2004. I often say I have one of the best jobs in the world and it was such an honour to see my work recognised in this way.

How do you feel the industry has changed – if at all – since your career began?

I would say that the biggest changes since my career began is the growth of the industry as a whole and the trend towards premiumisation of Irish whiskey. It's all about continuing to give people a real experience when they’re drinking our products which is why it continues to be a trend and a focus for us. As the world’s largest malt Irish whiskey brand, we continue to experience consistent demand for our single malt expressions globally.