While whiskey clubs and societies have existed for some time, the past decade has seen an explosion in their numbers, types, and popularity. It wasn't too long ago in Kenya that women were shamed for enjoying a glass of whiskey. However, Women Who Whiskey (wWw) is a global women's networking and educational organization that aims to change that.
wWw provides a space where members, both amateurs and connoisseurs, can cultivate their passion for community and whiskey. Inclusivity is a key focus for wWw, as they strive to create an educational and experimental environment for all those historically excluded from the traditionally male-dominated world of whiskey. 
Membership with wWw offers the opportunity to learn about spirits and cocktail culture, and to connect with like-minded individuals from all over the world who share a passion for chasing and camping out for limited-release whiskeys.
For World Whiskey day (March 27th), KenyaBuzz caught up with Mary-Anne Mumbi who is the president of the Kenyan chapter of wWw
KB: Can you tell us a little bit about your background in whiskey tasting and how you became
interested in the drink?
How did I become interested in whiskey? Well, that's a good question. My first experience with whiskey was many, many years ago where I tried it at a party. I was attracted to it as it was the only drink that looked and seemed similar to dark rum, which was my go-to drink but wasn't available. Tried it a few times after that and found that not only did I enjoy the liquid, but also was intrigued by the stories and history that whiskies carry. The stories made me go deeper into the world of whiskey exploration to becoming who I am today.
KB: Why did you decide to start a Women Who Whiskey chapter in Kenya instead of joining a
more traditional wine or rosé club?
Well, let's go back in time a little. Did you know that women were the first distillers? Also, read up on Maria Hebrea.
Forward the time to now, we are reclaiming our space; a space that we were made to shy away from and told we didn't belong. Women Who Whiskey is a global organization that is not your regular/traditional club. The reason it was founded is to break the biases that are in the whiskey industry and to create a community where women can enjoy and learn about whiskey in a safe space, together. It's about inclusion in a space where women were not allowed to be in; we are making a statement.
KB:  How was Women Who Whiskey started in Kenya?
The Nairobi Chapter was formed in 2014 by Kimberly Smith (first President) when she moved to Kenya. She was a member of the New York Chapter and when she moved to Nairobi, she looked for a similar club but there weren't any. Kimberly decided to start one. The Nairobi Chapter was actually the first international chapter to be formed which was followed by the London, Toronto, Geneva and others. It is also currently the only Chapter in Africa.
KB: How many women are currently involved in the Women Who Whiskey Kenya chapter?
Our membership has really grown in the last 2 years or so and we've moved from below 100 members to almost 2,000 members. This growth has mostly been organic; through word of mouth and our Instagram page.
KB: What kind of activities do you typically organize?
We organize regular activities for our members that are different in nature. From parties and hangouts to formal tastings and events, our activities are centred around our members and what they enjoy then we spice it up with whiskey. Whiskey is the glue of this amazing community of women. We also partner with whiskey brands for some of our activities.
[caption id="attachment_60695" align="alignnone" width="493"] A recent 'Women Who Whiskey Event'[/caption]
KB:  How can someone interested in joining Women Who Whiskey get involved?
Joining Women Who Whiskey is through our website where you will fill a sign up form with your details. Membership is currently free and you automatically become a part of the global network of Women Who Whiskey. If you are a woman who enjoys whiskey, we encourage you to join. We have members who are beginners, connoisseurs and also whiskey collectors.
KB: Do you have a favorite whiskey, and if so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
Last couple of months I was exploring Japanese whiskies and so I had alot of them. Right now, I'm exploring Rye whiskies although we have very limited options here in Kenya. My favourites so far are Angel's Envy which I had when I had travelled recently and Sazerac 18, a bottle from a friend. What I would really love to try is the Van Winkle Rye which is a very rare whisky.
KB: What's the whiskey culture like in Kenya compared to other traditional Whiskey consuming
countries?
Kenya is an emerging market when it comes to whiskey consumption. When you think of countries like Taiwan, we are still light years away but it's growing, year on year. We are also seeing alot more whisky companies setting up shop in Kenya and also an increase in the number of whiskey brands in the country. I'm excited at what the future looks like and we are here for it.
What's the secret to a good whiskey?
One thing I say a lot is that there's no bad whiskey. It all depends on someone's palate and pocket. There's also different types of whiskey, from Scotch to Bourbon to Rye to Irish etc. They all have different characteristics and I encourage people to try different ones so as to explore the vast world of whiskey.
What are your plans for the future of Women Who Whiskey in Kenya?
We are changing the face of whiskey in Kenya and it's no longer a "men-only" space.
We are working with forward thinking brands to create a more inclusive picture of what the whiskey consumer looks like and how whiskey is marketed to them.
We are also planning to work with female-focused brands that are not necessarily in the drinks space. We are exploring partnership opportunities with financial institutions, tech companies, beauty and fashion brands as well as hotels and restaurants, and the like. Areas that interest our members.
*Images provided by Mary-Anne Mumbi

About The Author

Author
Maureen Kasuku

Maureen is our resident cat lady and Beyoncé stan. She writes about spas, brunch and ballet recitals but has never been to any. Moonlights as a social justice activist in her spare time. She knows things and is obnoxiously opinionated on the internet but not in real life

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